The Navy's newest Navigation System Maintenance Technician (NSMT) course graduated its first pilot class after completing a 13-week training course, Sept. 11.

Training was conducted by the Center for Surface Combat Systems Unit (CSCSU) Dam Neck, Virginia, in conjunction with Surface Training Systems Program Office (PMS 339) at the Naval Sea Systems Command and Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division.

The 14 students were the first group of technicians to have experienced the benefit of a high fidelity, navigation maintenance training simulator.

"The main difference with this course is that it gave us the chance to become familiar with the procedures, maintenance and inner workings of the equipment for each different system in the pipeline, while giving us a fully operational platform to work with for operational and troubleshooting purposes providing a wealth of experience across the board before we even step foot onto a ship," explained Electronics Technician 2nd Class Matthew Turner, a student in the program.

Capt. Len Remias, CSCS Unit Dam Neck's commanding officer, says the pilot course was a success.

"The electronics technicians learned about the navigation system as an end-to-end system rather than smaller standalone pieces such as the Bridge and Navigation System (IBNS) and AN/WSN-7 Ring Gyro Navigation (RGN)," Remias explained. "This course is addressing the gap for technicians who do not currently have the opportunity to train in a 'system of systems' environment. The NSMT simulator allows students to learn how the individual navigation components integrate and provide navigation information to users throughout the ship."

The NSMT features a Virtual Maintenance Performance Aid (VMPA). The VMPA provides a virtual environment that supports training in Combat System Operational Sequencing System (CSOSS) operations, Planned Maintenance System (PMS), system alignment, troubleshooting, and repair.

"No longer will technicians go to the fleet with just one aspect of navigation," said Chief Electronics Technician Cedric Alexander, CSCS Unit Dam Neck's leading chief petty officer. "They will now understand how the system works as a whole and what it provides for the ship. The simulator is pivotal in bringing this all together and in giving new Sailors a sneak preview of what it looks like to be on a Destroyer.

"Blending the simulator experience with actual Technical Training Equipment (TTE) that matches the equipment in the fleet is a great way to teach technicians. It not only provides them a visual aid through technology, but also hands on experience with the actual equipment they will be responsible for in the fleet."

The next step is to apply adjustments to the curriculum that were identified in the pilot course and be ready for the first official class, convening Nov. 2.

CSCS' mission is to develop and deliver surface ship combat systems training to achieve surface warfare superiority. CSCS headquarters' staff oversees 14 learning sites and provides nearly 70,000 hours of curriculum for 700 courses a year to more than 40,000 Sailors. CSCS delivers specialized training for Officer and Enlisted Sailors required to tactically operate, maintain, and employ shipboard and shore-based weapons, sensors, and command and control systems utilized in today's navy.

For information on the Center for Surface Combat System, visit https://www.netc.navy.mil/centers/cscs/

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