Fully displaying the training capability of Training Support Center Great Lakes and its learning sites allowed Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) Franklin R. Parker to see the full spectrum of the mission here during his visit, April 7.

While visiting TSC, Parker met with the command triad to learn about the unique TSC mission of providing 24-hour supervision, leadership, training and professional development for accession-level Sailors prior to their arrival to the fleet.

The Navy Military Training Instructors who fill these roles are the mentors, trainers and teachers for Sailors who were in boot camp as recently as last week.

"It's very refreshing to have the Honorable Assistant Secretary of the Navy Parker interact with young, apprentice-level 21st Century Sailors at Training Support Center and observe first-hand the autonomous life of a Sailor in training and most importantly, the critical skills displayed on a daily basis," said TSC Commanding Officer Capt. John B. Vliet.

Next, Parker toured the Center for Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Diving and Naval Special Warfare Preparatory School facilities to see what is available for those Sailors attending training there.

Following that, Parker met with Cmdr. Gregory Ludwig, commanding officer of Center for Surface Combat Systems Unit Great Lakes, Lt. Drew Serrecchia, CSCSU executive officer, and Master Chief Boatswain's Mate (SW) Walter Robertson, CSCSU master chief.

The triad showed Parker the Gunner's Mate 'A' School's Fire Arms Training Simulator (FATS), the Electronics Technician/Fire Controlman 'A' School's T1 radar partial task trainer and Boatswain's Mate 'A' School.

"With Commander Ludwig's experience we're able to give the process of how training has come from where it was to where we changed when we had [revolution in training] to where we're going back to where we have less [computer-based training] and more instructor-led training," Serrecchia said.

Parker's visit also included a luncheon with the Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions and concluded with a tour of Surface Warfare Officers School Unit sites led by SWOSU Executive Officer Lt. Cmdr. Preston Marshall and Master Chief Machinist Mate (SW/AW) Jose Lardizabal, SWOSU master chief.

While at SWOSU, Parker toured the Basic Engineer Common Core computer-based training classrooms, SICLOS lab and the purifier lab and LPD 17 maintainer course virtual task trainer.

"We wanted to demonstrate that our efforts through the SWOS restoration of engineering training have led to efficient and effective courses at both the accessions and journeyman level," Marshall said.

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