Fifteen senior foreign students from Naval Education and Training Security Assistance Field Activity (NETSAFA) toured Center for Surface Combat Systems Unit (CSCSU), Training Support Center (TSC) and Surface Warfare Officer School Unit (SWOSU) Great Lakes September 16.

“The purpose of the visit was to demonstrate the training used at TSC, CSCSU and SWOSU Great Lakes exposing international students to modern navy training methods and modalities to include interactive courseware training, electronic classrooms, labs, simulation, etc. and also to include Navy Military Training/Lifeskills training,” said Paul Roarke, contract instructor/course coordinator for NETSAFA International Training Center. “This benefits the students through being able to apply lessons learned to training and education in their own countries.”

Following lunch with command leadership, attendees toured CSCSU Great Lakes Operations Specialist “A” School Ship’s Self Defense System (SSDS) lab simulator and Ready, Relevant Learning Classroom.

“We recognize that diversity is what drives improvement at CSCSU,” said CSCSU Great Lakes Commanding Officer Capt. Ricardo Enriquez. “Opportunities available through the NETSAFA course, facilitate programs for allied nations to attend our courses of instruction. Through the opportunity, the exchange of ideas and information that goes beyond just a conversation. While attending courses our guests afford the opportunity for our sailors to work alongside them, studying together, embracing each other's time honored traditions and strengthening our international relationships. This provides us the opportunity to build on our valued partnerships through working directly with our allies.”

The tour continued at TSC Great Lakes student indoctrination’s Life Skills training. Sailors arriving on board from boot camp attend the training before any rate-specific courses. Subjects taught in the course cover sexual assault intervention, military pay and entitlements, healthy relationships, navigating stress, operations security, banking and financial management service, and responsible alcohol use.

At Surface Warfare Officers School Unit (SWOSU) Great Lakes they were shown the training facilities of Basic Engineering Common Core (BECC).

BECC balances Computer Based Training with hands-on labs, instructor-led classroom training with realistic simulations creating an Integrated Learning Environment. They also visited the SICLOS Lab, Purifier Lab, and LPD 17 Maintainer Course where students gain knowledge and skills to maintain engineering control systems in the fleet.

“The ability to share information between our allies helps us to be the best at training the world's greatest Navy,” said TSC Great Lakes Executive Officer Cmdr. Jason Juergens. “We enjoyed their visit which was aimed at developing comradery between our branches of service and these great military leaders from other countries.” 

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