Training Support Center (TSC) San Diego, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (SURFPAC), and guided missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) came together to assess the ship's training plan, Feb. 22.

TSC San Diego's N7 training department fleet liaisons hosted SURFPAC's N7 training department and members of the ship's crew to conduct a training and personnel qualification standards (PQS) readiness evaluation (READ-E3).

Evaluated as highly effective, the ship's plan exceeded type commander (TYCOM) training requirements while also accounting for projected personnel losses through 2019. Much of the success is a result of the crew identifying and communicating requirements early with TSC San Diego fleet liaisons to acquire the necessary quotas for sustained training readiness.

"My goal has been to keep a constant dialogue with TSC, but our first readiness evaluation (READ-E1) on the way back from deployment in Oct. 2017 was the major catalyst in getting our schools plan together," said Lt. Marcus Lamadrid, Princeton's training officer. "We knew exactly where our weaknesses were, and the early communication with TSC was instrumental in building my schools plan."

Bruce Acton, deputy assistant chief of staff of SURFPAC's N7 training and readiness, highlighted the importance of constant and continuous communication between fleet training officers and TSC fleet liaisons to develop successful plans to meet or exceed certification requirements. TSC San Diego fleet liaisons collaborate with SURFPAC to personally meet with training officers.

"TSC San Diego is the primary coordinating activity for waterfront training across the Pacific," said Acton. "Their efforts ensure TYCOM training requirements are planned, scheduled, funded and delivered at the point of need."

With a fully prepared training plan, Princeton's crew is able to focus on getting through a six-month maintenance period with minimal interruption.

"There are quite a few changes with the new [SURFPAC] training instruction," said Capt. Justin A. Kubu, USS Princeton commanding officer. "We were able to implement the changes into our local instruction pretty early and held training with our khakis and training petty officers."

Training requirements range from the basic phase, where the ship conducts unit level training, to successfully completing all warfare certifications.

"We track and plan training with greater detail, and I am very confident we will be better prepared to meet [SURFPAC's] training requirements going forward," said Kubu, who also emphasized the benefits of communicating with TSC fleet liaisons. "Early communication with TSC is crucial. My warfare leads identified gaps in their areas while on deployment, and the TSC team worked with us to get required school quotas. I received immediate responses on all of my emails."

TSC San Diego's engagement with training officers as early as the command's READ-E1 has also benefited Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) learning centers by ensuring that classes are being utilized to full capacity.

Since 2014, fleet outreach starting at READ-E1 has reduced the need for NETC learning centers to conduct special convenings. As an example, TSC San Diego has not received a special convening request from the surface fleet for general shipboard fire fighting since 2015.

Fleet liaisons further solidify the connection between training officers and schoolhouses by conducting quarterly conferences on waterfront training. Training officers receive updates on TYCOM training requirements, changes to classes, and hands-on assistance in developing schools plans.

"TSC has exceptional insight into changes within the schoolhouse and conveys this information to the entire surface force," said Acton.

TSC provides constant presence and support from the end of one deployment and all the way through the beginning of the next deployment. This outreach to fleet training officers and schoolhouses is all part of TSC San Diego's longstanding mission of supporting fleet readiness and ensuring Sailors receive effective training at the right time during the training cycle. Fleet liaisons continue to engage the fleet, providing assistance early and often.

"If you're having a hard time with training, there is help out there," said Lamadrid. "The [SURFPAC] N7 and TSC teams are there for us."

For information about TSC San Diego visit http://www.netc.navy.mil/centers/tscsd/ or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Training-Support-Center-San-Diego-129026990490159/.

For additional information on the Naval Education and Training Command, visit the NETC website at https://www.netc.navy.mil or http://www.navy.mil/local/cnet/. Follow the command on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/netcpao and Twitter @netcpao.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.