Vice Adm. John Nowell, the Navy’s 59th chief of naval personnel (CNP) concluded a two-day visit to Pensacola where he was able to extend his appreciation to the workforce of Naval Education and Training Command (NETC), Navy’s force development command, June 13.  

Nowell spent time visiting local commands and recognizing Sailors and civilians who contribute to the Navy’s ‘street-to-fleet’ team responsible for Navy recruiting, education and training.  

“The Sailors and civilians here are doing a phenomenal job ensuring we are recruiting top talent and are training the force—across a continuum of career waypoints—to be ready for the challenges of an increasingly dynamic maritime environment,” said Nowell.  “The collective force development team is implementing systems and processes that are making training shorter and more effective – amazing work at all levels.” 

NETC, led by Rear Adm. Kyle Cozad, oversees a 12,000-plus Sailor and civilian workforce who work to train almost 30,000 Sailors on a daily basis across 240 learning sites worldwide. 

NETC is credited with advancing the U.S. Fleet Forces-led Ready, Relevant Learning (RRL) initiative across its learning sites.  The Center for Surface Combat Systems Unit Great Lakes graduated the first group of students to complete the initial run of its modernized operations specialist training course, May 24, which provides a virtual, simulation environment where students learn the same way as they would in an operational combat information center. 

NETC has also integrated innovative training platforms into its learning centers.  For example, the Multipurpose Reconfigurable Training System 3D®, a virtual team trainer being used at Naval Submarine School, Groton, Conn., replicates the auxiliary machinery room of a Virginia-class submarine.  These modifications have helped qualify students significantly faster as diesel operators than those students who went through a module-based approach. 

During an All Hands Call at NETC, Nowell thanked Sailors and civilians for their hard work and emphasized that he intends to continue the aggressive push on initiatives like Sailor 2025 and its RRL pillar.

 “Now is the time that the entire MyNavy HR Team must focus on the operationalization of our transformation vision and efforts.  It is critical that we hold firm to our principles:  focus on Sailors and their families; enhance Sailors’ experiences; leverage diverse teams to make better choices; deliver unparalleled customer service, and forge our toughness.  You all play a part in all five of those principles and in overall the strength of our force.” 

Sailors and civilians present were encouraged by the visit and the recognition of the importance of their work.

“It’s great to hear from CNP where we are headed as a Navy with transforming how we do business,” said Dorothy Berry, an analyst for planning and training excellence in NETC’s strategy, innovation and voluntary education division.  “We see how hard our learning centers and their instructors work to deliver quality training to our Sailors and continuing to pursue modernized and smarter ways of delivering that training is something we all care deeply about.”

CNP’s other stops in Pensacola included visits to Naval Education and Training Professional Development Center, Naval Education and Training Security Assistance Field Activity, Naval Air Technical Training Center, and Center for Information Warfare Training. 

Nowell also took time to highlight the significant contributions of several civilians within the NETC domain in efforts ranging from RRL to the development and implementation of the electronic Professional Military Knowledge Eligibility Exam App.    

NETC's mission is to develop the workforce through education and training that builds personal, professional and leadership skills.  To learn more, visit https://www.netc.navy.mil/.

Get more information about the Navy from US Navy facebook or twitter.

For more news from Chief of Naval Personnel, visit www.navy.mil/.