USS Essex (LHD 2), already two months into its scheduled deployment, welcomed approximately 62 new Sailors onboard and began its next round of command indoctrination training, also known as 'indoc,' July 13.

"Command Indoc gives new Sailors an intro to all of the various programs and various departmental managers and how to get in touch with them," said Chief Sonar Technician (Surface) Marina Rabinek, command indoc coordinator. "These are skills every Sailor needs to have and it works alongside the sponsorship program to create a positive experience for the new arrivals."

Indoc training is run by Essex's "Iron Division", a team of ship's subject matter experts and is held every other month when enough new personnel are ready. Though it focuses on junior enlisted Sailors, new officers and chiefs are also welcome to attend to learn the ins and outs of life on the ship.

The Iron Division is made up of five lead instructors and program managers from every department, covering a wide variety of subjects that new Sailors need to know.

Indoc is sectioned into about three weeks of instruction. During the first week, Sailors are briefed on topics such as operational safety, shipboard security, command fitness, financial awareness, medical and dental care, and computer usage. The second week is focused on helping Sailors receive their basic damage control qualifications and the third week is dedicated to entry-level maintenance, material, and management (3M) qualifications.

Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class David Shaw, subject matter expert for conflict resolution and management, said that he always tells each class to see a conflict from the other party's perspective first, which helps to eliminate further internal stress.

"I like to start with what communication is and how we choose to communicate," said Shaw. "Then I move on to non-verbal communication and common terms used in conflict resolution. The goal is to get people to stop and think before responding to their fellow shipmates."

For Essex Sailors, many of whom are stationed on their first ship, command indoc is the right tool to help get them started off on the right foot with the right qualifications.

"We're on day three and it's definitely helping," said Aircrew Survival Equipmentman 3rd Class Jared Zinn, an indoc student. "It makes it easier to find my way around the ship. It's definitely a learning experience and the classes point everyone in the right direction."

The Essex Amphibious Ready Group, embarked with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (15th MEU), is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

For more news from USS Essex (LHD 2), visit www.navy.mil/.