Military and civilian personnel assigned to Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) and subordinate units will have an opportunity to obtain Lean Six Sigma (LSS) Green Belt training, Nov. 16-20 at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story.

LSS is the methodology for evaluating system and process efficiency and effectiveness that has been implemented within the Department of the Navy. The skills learned in this training form the base of analytic expertise that can be leveraged to dometrics based assessments of force and unit readiness in order to better inform resource decisions.

Upon completion of training, individuals are provided an opportunity to complete formal certification through practical implementation of learned skills by completing two process improvement events. Since the launch of LSS training within NECC in 2008, 291 Green Belts and eight Black Belts have completed training. Currently, four Black Belts and two Master Black Belts are assigned to NECC headquarters.

Tom King of NECC's Strategic Business office discussed the benefits of training future Green Belts for the command and the U.S. Navy.

"Their assistance really helps to maximize the organization's return on its investment, and adds capacity to deliver even greater numbers of breakthrough improvement projects throughout the Force," said King.

King further added that future Green Belt trainees will serve on Black Belt project teams.

"They help to collect and analyze data, develop process maps, assist the Black Belt in certain levels of statistical and root cause analysis, and develop experimental designs for a particular project."

King added that the activities they assist with serve to support and accelerate progress in every project big or small within the force. And while Green Belts will assist with specific improvement projects they have opportunities to conduct their own Rapid Improvement Events that will eventually help them obtain a Black Belt.

Upon completing Navy certification requirements, officers can obtain an Additional Qualification Designator while enlisted personnel obtain a NEC. Interested personnel can also be certified through the American Society of Quality.

NECC is an enduring war fighting force providing sea-to-shore and inland operating environment capabilities across the full range of military operations that is focused on delivering combat effective expeditionary forces ready for worldwide operations now and into the future.

For more news from Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, visit www.navy.mil/.