Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) Force Master Chief Mamudu Cole visited Naval Technical Training Center (NTTC) Lackland to meet with Sailors and discuss ongoing initiatives, Aug. 17.

Cole talked with chief petty officers (CPO) and CPO selectees about NETC's role to implement Ready Relevant Learning (RRL)-one of three key pillars of Sailor 2025.

Sailor 2025 is the Navy's program to improve and modernize personnel management and training systems to more effectively recruit, develop, manage, reward, and retain the force of tomorrow.

"Our ultimate goal with RRL is to man the fleet properly by providing every Sailor with the best and most advanced training when and where they need it," said Cole.

Cole described how NETC is evaluating each Navy rating and its current training path to help develop a career continuum of learning for Sailors. The goal is to transform the current training model into one that will easily adapt to changes in technology and decrease the time needed to get Sailors trained and out in the fleet.

"We are leveraging all available technology to modernize our training," said Cole. "For example, our Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams are using smart technology, and our aviation schools are using virtual reality in some of their curriculum.

Cole also discussed the pilot program launched recently to modernize pay and personnel management to a cloud based system by giving Sailors access to manage their career and pay with a smart device.

"This was a great opportunity for the Chiefs Mess and chief selectees," said NTTC Lackland Command Master Chief Vaughn Coker. "To hear firsthand about new projects serves to invigorate and encourage them to get involved in the way ahead for Sailor 2025 and Ready Relevant Learning."

Cole also participated in physical training with chiefs and CPO selectees from NTTC Lackland and Navy Recruiting District San Antonio and later spoke on the subject of CPO initiation as Sailors prepare to advance in rank and assume the title and duties of being "the chief."

This year is the first in 14 years that "initiation" is allowed as a term to define the process, using CPO 365 Phase II to continually and steadily prepare the CPO selectees for future leadership positions, while honing the attributes of accountability, integrity, toughness and initiative.

"The process has not changed," said Cole. "The goal of CPO initiation is to fine-tune the lessons learned in CPO 365 Phase I and continue training throughout the next year. This is a great time to be in the Navy, and we need every chief in the mess to lean forward and be a part of this transformation as we continue to advance."

During his visit, Cole toured the training facilities for the seven-week Master-at-Arms (MA) "A" School, where he observed students learning to master the basics of force protection, law enforcement, physical security, the use and application of force and much more.

Naval Technical Training Center Lackland provides six courses of instruction: Master-at-Arms "A" School, Corrections Specialist, Corrections Counselor, Brig Afloat, Military Working Dog Handler, and Military Working Dog Kennel Master. The command trains more than 2,600 students each year to prepare them to defend freedom around the world.

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

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