Naval Service Training Command (NSTC) has introduced the inaugural Basic Military Training Core Competencies Manual (BMTCCM) at the Navy's only boot camp, Recruit Training Command.

The manual was written to ensure basic military training is aligned with senior leadership principles while defining the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of all enlisted Sailors entering the naval service.

"The BMT Core Competencies Manual is the culmination of two years hard work," said Rear Adm. Stephen C. Evans, commander, NSTC. "Our training directorate conducted a formal Training Requirements Review (TRR) of basic military training, included feedback from the fleet, and enhanced the 'Sailorization' process to meet the needs of our 21st century Navy."

During the initial TRR phases, recruit training curriculum was categorized into learning objectives. Each learning objective was displayed in an online, game-like forum for Sailors in the fleet to rank in priority and provide their own feedback. A total of 864 players across the globe provided feedback via 4,872 "idea cards," which discussed whether training materials and methods were effective to achieve learning objectives. NSTC first harnessed this innovative crowd-sourcing platform, formally known as Massive Multiplayer Online Wargame Leveraging the Internet (MMOWGLI), to support a training review which resulted in the Officer Professional Core Competency Manual in August 2015.

Fleet feedback was compiled and briefed to the Enlisted Board of Advisors (EBOA), which is comprised of the Navy's fleet and force master chiefs. EBOA members analyzed and prioritized the feedback, then developed recommendations for the Executive Steering Committee (ESC) on how to improve basic military training. The ESC, comprised of Navy flag officers and Senior Executive Service (SES) officials, met August 2016 to make final decisions on the training of today's U.S. Navy recruits.

"A formal training review of this magnitude has not been conducted since 1999, and we wanted to clearly define what it means to be a basically-trained Sailor," said Lt. Cmdr. Michael Keppen, NSTC training director. "The result is our manual, which structures Navy basic training into core competency areas and incorporates recommendations from the EBOA."

Ultimately the ESC approved creation of the BMTCCM, which encapsulates training at RTC under the following six categories:

* Section I -- Militarization
* Section II -- Seamanship
* Section III -- Programs and Policies
* Section IV -- Firefighting and Damage Control
* Section V -- Watchstanding
* Section VI -- Personal Financial and Professional Development

The BMTCCM also includes changes which replace 12-gauge shotgun training with more 9mm service pistol familiarization and live-fire training. Additionally, the Navy 3rd Class Swim Qualification has been modified to allow recruits the option to conduct the survival float portion of the test in either the supine (back) position or the previously required prone (face down) position.

The final recommendation from the ESC established Battle Stations 21, the "capstone" training event for Basic Military Training, as a fleet requirement. While participating in Battle Stations 21, each recruit must complete 17 scenarios during a 12-hour, overnight period. The scenarios encompass all training learned during boot camp, including firefighting and damage control. There are also evaluations in casualty evacuations, watchstanding, underway replenishment, and line handling.

Completion of BST-21 provides a contextually relevant training experience which sets the conditions for success of the Sailor in follow-on initial skills training and the Sailor's first operational assignment.

A PDF version of the BMTCCM is also available on the NSTC website at http://www.netc.navy.mil/nstc/NSTC_Directives/manuals.html.

Evans and his NSTC staff are headquartered at Naval Station Great Lakes and oversee 98 percent of initial officer and enlisted accessions training for the Navy, as well as the Navy's Citizenship Development program. NSTC includes RTC at Naval Station Great Lakes, NROTC at more than 160 colleges and universities, Officer Training Command (OTC) at Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island, Navy Junior ROTC, and Navy National Defense Cadet Corps (NNDCC) citizenship development programs at more than 600 high schools worldwide.

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