Instructors and leaders from Training Support Center Great Lakes and learning sites here were introduced to the new Naval Education and Training Command senior enlisted advisor during his visit to the base April 6 and 7.

When Force Master Chief (AW/SW/FMF) Karim Cole took over as the senior enlisted advisor for NETC last month, he took over a position that advises 17 learning sites - to include TSC, Surface Warfare Officers School Unit Great Lakes and the Center for Surface Combat Systems Unit Great Lakes.

"My goal right now is to visit the major commands, the learning centers, the TSCs and see what each and every one of them do within the domain and see where I can help support them," Cole said.

During his tour of TSC, Cole met with the command triad before sitting in on a student indoc class where newly arriving Sailors are taught a LifeSkills program designed to help them adapt to life in the Navy.

Cole then visited the Center for Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Diving and Naval Special Warfare Preparatory School facilities. Following a luncheon with members of the Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions, Cole met with the command triad from CSCSU.

While at CSCSU, Cmdr. Gregory Ludwig, commanding officer of CSCSU, along with Lt. Drew Serracchia, CSCSU executive officer, and Master Chief Boatswain's Mate (SW) Walter Robertson, CSCSU master chief, showed Cole the Fire Arms Training Simulator, T1 radar partial task trainer lab as well as Boatswain's Mate 'A' School.

"In order to continue progressing forward and acquiring the essential skill sets required to meet the specific fleet needs, senior leadership gets to witness firsthand what we're teaching in our schoolhouses," Ludwig said. "Key visits of this nature from senior leadership provide a glimpse into our daily mission: the outstanding efforts of training our future fleet Sailors that is relevant to their career paths while also allowing us to showcase our best and brightest stars: CSCSU GL instructors."

Cole then began his tour of SWOSU with the Quartermaster 'A' School where he learned about the progress in the course's revision to meet the training needs of the fleet. Once finished there, SWOSU Executive Officer Lt. Cmdr. Preston Marshall and Master Chief Machinist Mate (SW/AW) Jose Lardizabal, SWOSU master chief, accompanied Cole on the remainder of his tour of SWOSU.

Stops along this trip included Basic Engineer Common Core classrooms and labs as well as the Engineman 'C' School virtual task trainer and the LPD 17 Maintainer Course.

"Our hope is that Force Master Chief Cole can take away the notable amount of investment and overall high quality of instruction we provide to engineering and quartermaster Sailors here at SWOSU," Marshall said. "Moreover, we hope he can take away the impressive level of pride and professionalism demonstrated by the instructors and staff within our command."

Cole finished his first day by attending a heritage presentation at Ross Theater where he saw first-hand how the Navy Military Training Instructors of TSC provide mentorship and instruction on Navy traditions and customs.

His visit to TSC and LS wrapped up with an all-hands call for first class petty officers and below that gave these Sailors a chance to get to know Cole more and ask any questions they may have about upcoming changes to the Navy.

"I want them to understand that when I come to the site I'm going there to see what the Sailors are doing. I'm going there to interact," Cole said. "I'm coming to see what are the Sailors doing and how can I help."

For more news from Training Support Center, Great Lakes, visit www.navy.mil/.