Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNATTU) Norfolk staff and students attended an hour-long diversity stand-down hosted by the U.S. Pacific Fleet (PACFLT) Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Office July 13.

The "Change the Culture" presentation, hosted by PACFLT SAPR Officer Capt. Romuel Nafarrete, is designed to provide a comprehensive and holistic approach to prevent destructive behavior by focusing on attacking possible root causes of underlying toxic cultures that foster sexism, misogyny, objectification, homophobia, fear, low empathy and racism.

The training included open-forum discussions interjected with humor and real-world scenarios to encourage thought and reflection on the situations service members might find themselves. Nafarrete stressed personal accountability and teamwork and reinforced the importance of leadership from junior Sailors as the impetus for changes in military culture.

The event explored defining culture, looking at society's role in developing personal behavior, challenging Sailors to look at their own behavior, how individuals start change and how to redefine social norms.

"A true leader is not someone who can cite verses from an instruction," said Nafarrete. "A true leader is someone who can influence others to change behavior. Your credibility is one of the most important traits you have."

CNATTU Norfolk Commanding Officer Cmdr. Raymond Sudduth was among the nearly 400 people attending the presentation.

"We have so many junior Sailors and Marines going through our courses, and ensuring they all remain aware of the manner in which they conduct themselves professionally is a job the CNATTU Norfolk staff takes seriously," said Sudduth. "The culture of the Navy and the Department of Defense is changing, and along with providing the best aviation maintenance training available, the instructors here are also ensuring we're getting these Sailors and Marines ready personally and professionally."

CNATTU Norfolk provides rate-specific aviation technical training, specializing in aviation "C" school training to maintain and operate air weapons systems supporting MH-53E/MH-60S helicopters, E-2C Airborne Early Warning aircraft, C-2A(R) Carrier Onboard Delivery aircraft, Airborne Mine Counter Measure (AMCM), Under Sea Warfare, Aviation Maintenance Administration Management, Aviation Boatswain's Mate (AB), Aviation Ordnanceman (AO), Interior Communications Electrician (IC) and Aircrew Survival Equipmentman (PR) professional and rating skills.

CNATTU Norfolk is a training unit under the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training, a technical training agent for the Naval Aviation Enterprise (NAE), an organization designed to advance and sustain Naval Aviation warfighting capabilities, under the Naval Education and Training Command domain.


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