Posted on 10/31/2005 4:17:12 PM PST by SandRat
NAVAL STATION NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Sailors assigned to the pre-commissioning unit (PCU) of Navy’s first littoral combat ship, Freedom (LCS 1), are experiencing a new kind of cross training making them the Navy’s first hybrid Sailors.
The crew, which began arriving in January, immediately started attending schools for job fields outside their designated rates.
“A hybrid is a Sailor trained in a combination of several different rates,” said Command Master Chief (SW) Joel Nissen. “For example a fire controlman that also has the training of an electronics technician can function in either job as needed. I personally think there are many hybrid Sailors already deployed around the fleet. We’re just taking it to the next level by ensuring that our crew receives as much training as possible.”
Some crew members are currently learning new skills through class room exercises, while others are working in administrative positions between schools and studying equipment specifications.
“Right now I’m learning about the new class of ship and reading up on how the engines are going to operate,” said Engineman 1st Class (SW) Randy Gallegos. “From what I’ve seen of the design it looks pretty interesting. I would like to see the finished product and find out how everything I’ve been reading about is actually going to work.”
Freedom is scheduled for delivery to the Navy in 2006. Sailors will have to learn how to adapt the skills they have learned in school to the upgraded technology of the LCS class.
“Going to hull technician school was quite a new experience,” said Engineman 2nd Class(SW) Christopher Richars. “Learning a new rate, something I had no prior knowledge of, was fun.”
“I’m looking forward to going to our new ship. It’s a new class so even the jobs I will be doing as an EN [engineman] will be different,” added Richars. “It’s almost like going to a ship for the first time, learning the new systems and doing jobs I’ve never done before. I think it’s going to be a challenge, but I’m excited.”
Working with new systems will not be the only challenge the crew has to face. Despite it’s size of 378 feet, the ship’s projected crew compliment will only be 75.
“Working with a small crew can be considered a challenge' but it’s not insurmountable,” said Nissen. “I’ve been on many small decks in my career. The smaller the crew, the more tight nit they are. I think we’re a pretty tight-nit group already, and I think this is going to be the best ship I’ve ever been on.”
NAVY of the FUTURE PING!
We used to tell similar tails about the AF. I had some zoomie friends that couldn't believe it when I told them all the things that I did as a ship's company airedale.
The only difference I see in this article is that the Navy is making the cross training official by sending them through additional "A" schools.
Did you forget somthing?
I don't think so, I cleared my cache and the image still shows up in my browser. Is it not working for you?
Ahhhhh,,, this time it appeared. First time there was nada there.
Sounds just like the early WW2 Navy 1943 to 1946 coming across the loud speaker, Bosun'e pipe sounds then a voice says "now hear this, now hear this, all hands that have a liberty pass lay down to the ship's office and draw one and all hands that do not have a liberty pass lay down to the ship's office and turn one in"!
Kind'a like SS quals?
Makes perfect sense. You're out to sea with a limited population, you need as many people cross-trained as possible.
The later.
Our military is magnificent.
BTTT!!!!!!!
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