Rear Adm. Kyle Cozad, Commander, Naval Education and Training Command (NETC), visited Training Support Center (TSC) and Learning Sites (LS) Sept. 27.

The purpose of the visit was to familiarize Cozad to the training used at the commands that provided 24-hour supervision, leadership, training and mentorship of Sailors.

“At NETC, we strive to train those who serve our nation, taking them from street-to-fleet by transforming civilians into highly skilled, operational, and combat ready warfighters that the fleet needs to meet its mission,” Cozad said.  “A key part in this mission is TSC Great Lakes, whose naval military training instructors provide 24-hour supervision, training, and mentorship to more than 11,000 new apprentice-level Sailors.”

Accompanied by Capt. Ted Heflin, NETC Deputy for Training, and NETC Force Master Chief Karim Cole the day began with a brief of 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.

Following the brief, Cozad held a “Fire Side Chat” with Limited Duty Officers and Chief Warrant Officers.

At Center for Surface Combat Systems Unit (CSCSU) Great Lakes command leadership led a tour of the USS Whitehat, a static boat used by the Boatswain's Mate apprentice and Surface Common Core school, followed by the Ship’s Self Defense System (SSDS) lab simulator at Operations Specialist “A” School.

“We at CSCSU Great Lakes take great pride in our role within the NETC team,” Cmdr. Ricardo Enriquez, commanding officer of CSCSU Great Lakes. “As a key part of the accessions training pipeline our objectives are multi-faceted. We place great focus on our primary mission to provide rate specific training and preparation our newest Sailors need to be ready for follow-on training and fleet assignments.  Additionally, we want to emphasize and build upon the seamanship, military bearing and leadership skills that the Sailors receive in Basic Training. Having Rear Admiral Cozad interact with students and instructors in the BM "A", OS "A", and Surface Common Core school houses, was a welcome opportunity to allow him to observe our mission in action and how our outstanding instructors build the Fleet’s future leaders.”

Surface Warfare Officer Unit (SWOSU) Great Lakes command leadership led a tour of the training facilities of Basic Engineering Common Core (BECC). 

BECC is a 13-day course where students learn engineering principals and theory. It balances interactive courseware training with hands-on training labs, instructor-led classroom training. They also visited the SICLOS Lab, and Purifier Lab and LPD 17 Maintainer Course where students gain knowledge and skills to maintain engineering control systems in the fleet.

"Our staff is the key to the success displayed at SWOSU Great Lakes every day," said Megan Leis, executive officer of SWOSU Great Lakes. "They are dedicated, innovative professionals who have a passion for what they are doing. Along with the Interactive Courseware and hands-on training in our labs we are able to confidently send well-rounded Sailors out to the Fleet. I was honored to show Rear Adm. Cozad what great work our staff do on a daily basis."

The final leg of their tour of TSC and LS was at the Galley’s Windy City Café where they enjoyed lunch with the Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD). CSADD put junior Sailors in a position to stop their shipmates from making decisions that will have negative impacts on their life and their Navy career. The program is geared toward Sailors E5 and below, between ages 18 to 25. They promote positive choices and develop leadership through organizing local social networks, facilitating discussion, producing visual messages, promoting community involvement and hosting recreational events.

"Rear Admiral Cozad's visit to Great Lakes provided an excellent opportunity for the staff and students to interact with the leader of Naval Education and Training," said Cmdr. Jason Juergens, executive offer of TSC. "During lunch he spent time with the students and gave them candid answers to questions on what to expect or anticipate as they leave TSC for their first operational tours."

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