Naval Education and Training Command's (NETC) information technology (IT) (N6) staff provided updates for ongoing IT program initiatives to Frank DiGiovanni, Assistant Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Manpower, Personnel, Training and Education), and members of the Chief of Naval Personnel's Enterprise Support Team during a visit to NETC Dec. 15.

With the Navy transforming the way it attracts, trains and retains top talent, Sailors require the most advanced technical training at their fingertips to maintain operational superiority. NETC has analyzed various processes and initiatives that have developed over the years and is making changes to move beyond the current model of enrolling and taking instructor-led training.

"We are Sailor focused - first," said DiGiovanni. "What we're trying to do is improve quality of life, quality of service for our Sailors, and that means the Navy should provide those services the same way they get them in the private sector, the same way they got them when they grew up."

As part of Sailor 2025's Ready, Relevant Learning initiative to ensure Sailors are provided the right training at the right time, NETC N6 is working on leveraging learning technology to modernize training modes and maximize their impact and relevance.

One objective of Manpower, Personnel, Training, and Education (MPT&E) transformation efforts is to integrate IT architecture, highlighting adaptability and focusing on the goals of enabling Sailor self-service through single sign-on, commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) strategy and governance, data warehouse consolidation, and a reduced infrastructure.

"We want to migrate NETC's current IT portfolio, which was developed in-house and is highly customized with limited interoperable, into a robust integrated COTS architecture consisting of a system of systems," said Robyn Baker, NETC's command information officer. "The current and new generations of Sailors prefer to learn by gaming, simulations and collaboration. NETC's move to a cohesive, integrated commercial solution with best business practices and modern user interfaces will provide dynamic training management solutions required for the fleet."

NETC's future learning blueprint will reduce the amount of time Sailors are in a classroom but not necessarily the amount of training they receive or have on hand through technology.

"We have a responsibility to our Sailors, who have volunteered to put their lives on the line in service to our nation, to minimize administrative distractions so they can stay laser focused on the mission and be the most lethal fighting force the world has ever seen," said DiGiovanni.

The discussions included the NETC IT proposed architecture for modernizing training IT through a "Learning Stack," which is a learning management concept that will contain multiple tools and techniques. In addition, some personnel and data-related functions of NETC's current portfolio will migrate outside of the Learning Stack into other elements of the MPT&E core capabilities, such as the Integrated Pay and Personnel System, Authoritative Data Environment and Customer Relationship Management.

Behind the scenes, NETC has recently consolidated several programs at the Navy Enterprise Data Center in New Orleans, including Navy e-Learning as one of the largest distance learning environments in the world with 14,000 courses; Corporate Enterprise Training Activity Resource Systems (CeTARS) for MPT&E training data management; and Authoring Instructional Materials (AIM), used in developing instructional materials for Navy instructor-led training.

NETC is the largest shore command in the Navy and is comprised of more than 12,000 military and staff personnel at more than 230 subordinate activities and detachments in the United States and at remote sites overseas. NETC provides training and education to more than 31,000 students on any given day.

Sailor 2025 is comprised of nearly 45 initiatives to improve and modernize personnel management and training systems to more effectively recruit, develop, manage, reward, and retain the force of tomorrow. It is focused on empowering Sailors, updating policies, procedures, and operating systems, and providing the right training at the right time in the right way to ensure Sailors are ready for the Fleet. Sailor 2025 is organized into three main lines of effort, specifically Personnel System Modernization, Ready Relevant Learning and Career Readiness.

For additional information on the Naval Education and Training Command, visit the NETC website: https://www.netc.navy.mil or http://www.navy.mil/local/cnet/. Follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/netcpao and Twitter @netcpao.

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