The commander of Navy Installations Command (CNIC), Vice Adm. Mary M. Jackson, took time to speak with Sailors and tour the training campus at Naval Technical Training Center (NTTC) Lackland, Feb. 8.

Jackson first met with Master-at-Arms 1st Class Shannon Chatterton who is the NTTC Lackland and Center for Security Forces 2017 Sailor of the Year.

"It's great that the Admiral has taken the time to visit and observe Master-at-Arms training and see the facilities where we work," said Chatterton. "To have someone at her level address our new Sailors who are just starting out their career is inspiring."

While touring the campus, Jackson met with Sailors who were demonstrating procedures for the new "Duty Master-at-Arms" (DMAA) Program. The program is designed to pass instruction mastery outside of the basic curriculum through real world application. The program integrates into normal student duty section operations and implements common skills that a MA would need in the fleet. The repetition of duty shifts help students become accustom to completing these routine tasks.

"I think the new program is great practice for the fleet," said Yeoman 1st Class Lester P. Levene, a fleet returnee student at MA "A" school. "Much of what we are practicing relates to muscle memory and it's helpful to do a bunch of sets and repetitions before we handle live weapons on a daily basis."

Jackson actively watched students perform various training evolutions during her time at the MA schoolhouse. These include proper handcuffing and vehicle inspection procedures as well as the correct techniques for handling weapons. She also learned about how students respond to select real-word situations in the crimes and crisis lab.

"In crimes and crisis, students use the knowledge and skills they have learned up to this point by putting them into practice," said Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Ryan Westfield, MA "A" school instructor. "The students respond to different emergency situations, such as assault in progress or a suspicious package, where they must properly apply the skills learned while dealing with an increased heart rate and other external stressors."

During her tour, Jackson also visited the Naval Corrections Academy where she met with instructors, observed training featuring a forced cell extraction and she took time to explore the mock training brig.

"This was an excellent occasion to highlight our professional organization for Vice Adm. Jackson. This includes our ongoing progress with moving training towards mastery both in and outside of our curriculum," said Cmdr. Robert Arias, NTTC Lackland executive officer. "Our Sailors and civilians are dedicated to the mission and Sailor development at all levels."

The Naval Technical Training Center Lackland provides specialized training in six courses of instruction. The command trains more than 2,600 students each year and prepares them to protect the Fleet and defend freedom wherever duty calls around the world.

For more information about Naval Technical Training Center Lackland, visit us at http://www.netc.navy.mil/centers/csf/nttc-lackland.

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