Norfolk, Va. - The Center for Surface Combat Systems Unit (CSCSU) Dam Neck who manages and operates Fire Controlman (FC) Non Aegis "C" schools, recently hosted the FC Non Aegis Combat Systems Strategic Training Ratings Review (CSSTRR) onboard Naval Station Norfolk, Nov. 17 - 19.

18 U.S. Navy commands, including USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and Littoral Combat Ship Squadron (LCSRON) One, attended to discuss current and future FC Non Aegis manning, training, and technology initiatives. Representatives from fleet, expeditionary and training commands, including Commander, Naval Surface Forces, Atlantic (COMNAVSURFLANT), Naval Sea Systems Command (NSWC) Port Hueneme Detachment Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems (PEO IWS), and Surface Warfare, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA 21) Surface Training Systems (STS) Program Office (PMS 339), were present, as well as community mangers from the Navy Personnel Command.

Capt. Bill McKinley, CSCS commanding officer, oversees 14 learning sites, including CSCSU Dam Neck, and is responsible for combat systems training across the rates of fire controlman (FC), operations specialist, gunner's mate, sonar technician surface, mineman, interior communications electrician, and electronics technician. In December 2014, CSCS developed the CSSTRR to review each rating in a series of strategic reviews that will serve to form the basis for a formal learning approach.

Capt. Len Remias, CSCSU Dam Neck commanding officer, says the review was a success.

"Over the past few months leading up to the review, we've had many discussions about executing Block Learning," Remias said. "Block Learning is the interim process to transform our current model of accession training that will lead to ready relevant Learning. Ready Relevant Learning supports our Navy's training vision of Sailor 2025 to ensure Sailors are provided the right training at the right time. There are many challenges with reconstructing our curriculum to support this new training strategy but it will ultimately improve a Sailor's operator and technical skills through a more robust training continuum."

Cmdr. Michelle Korn, CSCSU Dam Neck director of training and coordinator for the CSSTRR, says the review was productive and enlightening.

"The FC Non Aegis rating has some unique challenges," Korn said. "It was extremely helpful to have so many subject matter experts and decades of FC experience in the room to advise our discussions."

The FC Non Aegis CSSTRR is the eighth and final review of the year. McKinley discusses how the results of these strategic rating reviews will impact the future of naval training.

"They serve dual purposes," McKinley explained. "They will inform and serve to develop a long-term investment plan for surface combat systems training and will form the basis of the plan to transition to Block Learning and ultimately Ready Relevant Learning. Block Learning moves training from accession training to a time more relevant in a Sailor's career after his or her report to the ship. This training method will radically change the way the Navy executes combat systems training. Whether this transformation achieves the ultimate goal of Ready Relevant Learning depends upon the discipline and planning of the implementation process. What we have accomplished thus far during the past year in our strategic rating review process, I truly believe CSCS has already made great strides toward the future of combat systems training."

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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