Members of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) toured the training facilities at Naval Special Warfare Center (NSWCEN) as part of a three-day visit to San Diego, Feb. 22.

The purpose of the visit was for HASC personnel staff to gain a broader understanding of NSWCEN's mission to train the most capable candidates to become special warfare operators, replenish the force, and maintain optimal efficiency.

"To see firsthand the training special warfare operators receive is a unique and valuable experience," said Emily Hytha, communications director for U.S. Representative Michael Conaway of Texas' 11th Congressional District.

HASC members met with NSWCEN's Chief Staff Officer SEAL Capt. Tom Dejarnette, who provided a command briefing and guided-tour of the facilities where SEALs and SWCC candidates train.

"Our business at Naval Special Warfare Center is to create special operations warfighters. The training candidates receive here equips them with the fundamental skills and tactical abilities necessary to carry out our nation's missions. Bringing members of Congress and their staffs [here] is an important part of the two-way communication between civilian and military leadership," said Dejarnette.

During the tour, HASC personnel staff observed students demonstrating technique and speed on the obstacle course for SEAL instructors. The staff members also watched instructors perform combat-assault drills and had an opportunity to test their own tactical proficiency on a virtual-combat simulator.

"There's a refined system in place here and it's clearly been set in place over time with great experience. This makes me confident that the taxpayers' dollars are being spent efficiently and in true service of the nation's defense," said Allen "Lee" Lonsberry, the communications director for U.S. Representative Rob Bishop of Utah's 1st Congressional District."

Naval Special Warfare Center is a component command of Naval Special Warfare Command and serves as the hub for all Naval Special Warfare training.

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