The Center for Security Forces Detachment San Diego hosted a Naval Heritage Day for 15 chief petty officer selects, Aug 29, to serve as part of their training and preparation to don the uniform and assume the title of "chief."

The selectees were from the Center for Surface Combat Systems Detachment San Diego Detachment West and the Center for Security Forces Detachment San Diego.

The group participated in various training scenarios making full use of the detachment's Force Protection Ship Simulator, which is also known as a "Ship in a Box."

"This simulator is where we professionally train more than one-thousand Sailors each year. It only made sense to use it to prepare first class petty officers for the leadership leap up to the critical rank of chief," said Cmdr. Rommel Salgado, detachment officer-in-charge.

The training gave the selectees the opportunity to conduct shipboard training while currently serving ashore. In keeping with the theme of the day, each level of the SIB and its surrounding areas represented a historic moment in our Navy. All scenarios started with the selectees giving a short brief on an event then reenacting a significant portion of that event.

When asked about the overall experience, Engineman 1st Class Thomas Berry said, "I think it was a great experience- I give it a 10!" Fire Controlman 1st Class William Gordon said, "It was great and probably the most fun I've had so far this season."

On the first deck, selectees briefed the efforts of the USS Tripoli (LPH 10) crew to save the ship after it struck an Iraqi moored contact mine in the northern Persian Gulf in 1991.

Next, selectees also had to reenact the removal of 1,000 3-inch .50-caliber rounds and more than 100 cases of small arms ammunition. This was done by using teamwork to move 50 empty ammo cans from one space to the next, while avoiding simulated hazardous obstacles.

The scenario on the second deck involved simulating the fire that took place aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). Selectees gave training on the shipboard fire located in a ventilation trunk from the lower decks of the ship to a port on the ship's hull several decks above. Once the selectees finished their training, they were prompted to engage a simulated fire and rescue a shipmate in berthing.

Selectees then moved to the third deck for a brief on the incident involving USS Pueblo (AGER-2) and North Korea. Pueblo was a Banner-class environmental research ship. Attacked and captured by North Korean forces Jan. 23, 1968, she remains in a captured state to this day. Selectees were tasked to search the third deck of the simulator for classified material and destroy it.

Ascending to the bridge, selectees received navigation and semaphore training. Using semaphore on the bridge wing, selectees relayed a message to another group of selectees who had to decipher the message. The message stated, "Navy Chief, Navy Pride."

The fifth and final evolution simulated taking the island of Iwo Jima during World War II. The battle involved 36-days of intense combat between the Japanese and U.S. forces. On March 26, the U.S. successfully took control of the island, which served as a major turning point for the war in the Pacific.

According to the Naval History and Heritage Command website, "The 36-day assault resulted in more than 26,000 American casualties, including 6,800 dead. Of the 20,000 Japanese defenders, only 1,083 survived."

Selectees were issued battle gear and as they stormed the beach, they took two casualties and had to administer medical field care. The wounded had to be moved utilizing two-man buddy-carries. One casualty was simulated in a rescue stretcher using a full-size mannequin. Storming of the beach concluded as they raised a CPO pennant and sang the national anthem in honor of the men who raised the flag atop Mount Suribachi.

Fire Controlman 1st Class Adam Sippel said, "My favorite part of the heritage team-building day is when we stormed the beach. It really pumped me up!"

CPO selectees from all walks of Navy life will pin their anchors on for the first time Sept. 16, and at which time they will carry forward the longstanding traditions of being the "chief."

The Center for Security Forces provides specialized training to more than 28,000 students each year. It has 14 training locations across the United States and around the world where training breeds confidence.

For more information about the Center for Security Forces, visit us at http://www.navy.mil/local/csf.

For more news from the Center for Security Forces, visit us at www.navy.mil.

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