The Center for Surface Combat Systems (CSCS) announced its Domain Civilian of the Year (COY) for 2017.

CSCS Unit (CSCSU) Great Lakes Instructor and Testing Officer for Apprentice Technical Training (ATT) Mr. Steven Jensen was humbled to be selected for the award.

"I know that all of us at CSCS do a great job, and I am just one of many who just want to produce quality Sailors for our great Navy," said Jensen. "I would like to thank all of my coworkers because without them, I would not have accomplished any of my endeavors."

Jensen is not new to the CSCS community. While in uniform, he served as CSCSU Great Lakes' leading chief petty officer, safety officer, and was the curriculum manager for all ATT centers. For his hard work and dedication to the mission, he was awarded a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.

In 2012, he returned to CSCSU Great Lakes and began his civilian career as an instructor. Since his return, he has been selected as Civilian of the Quarter (COQ) three times.

Jensen's daily schedule is hectic but rewarding.

"I teach basic electronics to electronics technicians (ET), fire controlmen (FC), gunner's mates (GM), gas turbine systems technicians electrical (GSE), electrician's mates (EM), sonar technicians surface (STG), and minemen (MN)," he explained. "As testing officer, I monitor testing procedures, maintain up to date testing plans for each rate, perform test item analysis for the ATT test bank, and conduct test question maintenance. I am very busy, but I enjoy teaching the future of our Navy."

Cmdr. Scott Dancer, CSCSU Great Lakes' commanding officer, said
Jensen is a dedicated instructor, an amazing leader in and outside the classroom, and his contributions to the training mission are unparalleled.

"Mr. Jensen is a true master training specialist and is routinely sought out as the subject matter expert on all modules in ATT," Dancer explained. "In 2017, he taught four classes of ET students and two GM classes comprised of 121 students, totaling 46 weeks of primary instruction with an amazing 93.82 percent combined [grade point average]. This is nearly four points higher than the schoolhouse average. He consistently receives high praise from students, with 100 percent positive critique remarks. In addition, he personally ensured that all CSCSU Great Lakes ATT school curriculum complied with applicable Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) instructions and Naval Education and Training manuals to ensure quality, standardized training is delivered to accession level Sailors bound for the fleet. Mr. Jensen is a proven mentor, well-respected by his students, and will always be a chief petty officer."

Capt. Frank X. Castellano, CSCS commanding officer, said Jensen exemplifies how we develop and deliver surface ship combat systems training to achieve surface warfare superiority.

"With his strong work ethic, dedication to the overall mission, and positive attitude, Mr. Jensen will continue to help shape the future of combat systems training," said Castellano.

In the classroom, Jensen's main goal is to provide quality training to young Sailors so they can excel.

"It has been very challenging keeping up with the many changes to training over the last few years," he explained. "However, I believe that each day, I help ensure that our future generation is prepared to go to their first commands and perform at the high level expected of CSCS personnel. I strive to make things better for our students so they may go on to do great things in their careers."

CSCS' mission is to develop and deliver surface ship combat systems training to achieve surface warfare superiority. CSCS headquarters' staff oversees 14 learning sites and detachments, including CSCSU Great Lakes, located throughout the continental United States, Hawaii, and Japan and manages and operates a Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) training division in Rota, Spain. CSCS provides more than 538 courses, awards 114 different Navy enlisted classifications (NEC), and trains 37,400 Sailors each year. CSCS delivers specialized training for officer and enlisted Sailors required to tactically operate, maintain and employ shipboard and shore-based weapons, sensors and command and control systems utilized in today's Navy.

For information on the Center for Surface Combat System, visit http://www.netc.navy.mil/centers/cscs/ and http://www.facebook.com/pages/Center-for-Surface-Combat-Systems/1480366868885239.