The Center for Sea, Air and Land and Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewman (CENSEALSWCC) has increased Sailor education and readiness with the addition of two courses -- The Ground Force Commander Course (GFCC) and the Troop Leader Course (TLC).

After successfully launching the GFCC in November 2015, CENSEALSWCC began the pilot course for TLC Oct. 17.

Recognizing a need to institute a training pipeline for ground force commanders, Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) directed Army, Air Force, and Navy component commanders to create a formal course in a January 2015 memo. The direction stated the course should include "a clear understanding of tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) to locate and maintain situational awareness of friendly/target locations as well as an emphasis on clearance authority and attack restrictions."

"The GFCC was developed to ensure a standardized level of training for ground force commanders, who while deployed, carry significant responsibility but previously did not have a formalized training or preparation process," said Capt. Todd Tinsley, CENSEALSWCC commanding officer.

The GFCC course was taught by a joint group of hand-selected SMEs to formally educate SEAL and SWCC ground force commanders on the complex responsibilities and the combat mindset required to track friendly forces, enemy forces, and non-combatants, and incoming ordnance during intense combat scenarios. These skills were later tested in field exercises during the Inter-Deployment Training Cycle (IDTC) by Naval Special Warfare's (NSW) training detachments.

The positive feedback received from GFCC graduates and tactical battlefield success achieved overseas was used in the development of the TLC. Deployed troop leaders are responsible for applying operational strategies developed by Theater Special Operations Commands (TSOCs) and country teams. The TLC facilitates training troop leaders in successfully applying these strategies.

"The Troop Leader Course represents a logical evolution in Naval Special Warfare (NSW) officer and senior enlisted Professional Military Education (PME)," said Tinsley. "It will help NSW leaders at the O-4 and E-8 level excel in modern-day, complex operational environments and further prepare them for follow-on command tours, TSOC assignments, and contingency operations."

The initial course curriculum was refined based on student input and changing TTPs from the battlefield. The GFCC is available to E6-O4 SEAL and SWCC personnel who may be assigned or designated as a Ground Force Commander (GFC) while deployed. The next GFCC course is scheduled to begin Nov. 16.

Both the TLC and GFCC directly support NSWs mission and ultimately enhance employment, reputation, and competitive advantage in the special operations domain. In addition to these two new courses, CENSEALSWCC's PME continuum includes the Leading Petty Officer Prep Course (LPO PC) for E-6 leaders, the Platoon Leader's Course (PLC) for detachment leaders at the E-7 and O-3 level, and the Command Leadership Seminar (CLS) for E-9 and O-5 command teams. Additional information about each of the courses can be found through NETC's Navy Knowledge Online portal at https://wwwa.nko.navy.mil/group/seal-swcc/home/.

CENSEALSWCC manages the NSW ratings, advancement standards and provides personal and professional development through training and education during an individual's career-long role in naval special warfare.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more information about the Center for SEAL and SWCC, visit http://www.netc.navy.mil/centers/censealswcc/.

For more news from Naval Education and Training Command, visit http://www.navy.mil/ or http://www.netc.navy.mil/.