Team members from the Navy Advancement Center (NAC) at the Naval Education and Training Professional Development and Technology Center (NETPDTC) visited USS Independence (LCS 2) Nov. 18, to familiarize themselves with the Navy's newest, most technologically-advanced platform.

"The Advancement Center brings subject matter experts from every rating to Saufley Field to participate in Advancement Exam Readiness Review Panels, so it was logical for our exam development professionals to spend some time on board a visiting fleet asset," said Master Chief Electronics Technician James Berhalter, NETPDTC command master chief. "It's incredibly impressive that a ship that large can operate effectively with a core crew of 53 Sailors."

Littoral combat ships (LCS) are designed to be capable of changing primary missions through modular mission packages and open architecture. Home ported in San Diego, Independence is currently operating in the Gulf of Mexico and docking at Naval Air Station Pensacola while conducting operational evaluation and testing of the mine countermeasures mission package.

"We like to think of LCS crews as the most technically-advanced and widely cross-trained Sailors in the Navy," said LCS 2 Command Master Chief Christopher Cline. "The time spent by the Advancement Center team learning about our mission and our crew learning more about the Navy Enlisted Advancement System will pay big dividends going forward. We also strongly encourage our chiefs to participate in Advancement Exam Readiness Reviews, helping to determine the future of their ratings."

The Navy Advancement Center is responsible for Navy-wide administration of the Navy Enlisted Advancement System, including developing and distributing enlisted advancement examinations, evaluating and rank-ordering all candidates for advancement, applying advancement quotas from Chief of Naval Operations, and issuing authority for advancement of enlisted personnel to pay grades E-4 through E-9. The NAC also produces and publishes advancement-related products such as exam-specific reference lists.

NETPDTC's mission is to provide products and services that enable and enhance education, training, career development and personnel advancement throughout the Navy. Primary elements of the command include the Voluntary Education Department, Navy Advancement Center and the Resources Management Department.

For more information on the Naval Education and Training Professional Development and Technology Center visit
www.netc.navy.mil/netc/Commands/NETPDTC.aspx.

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