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Courtesy of NAWCTSD Public Affairs
Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Jonathan Greenert toured the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD) March 31.
During his visit, the CNO experienced a sample of the modern training techniques being developed at the Navy’s only warfare center dedicated entirely toward delivering training systems to the fleet. He also had the opportunity to meet with several leaders of organizations that have ongoing relationships with NAWCTSD and the other military modeling and simulation agencies based in the Central Florida Research Park.
Capt. Wes Naylor, commanding officer of the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (right) greets Adm. Jonathan Greenert on March 31 at the beginning of his visit to NAWCTSD. (U.S. Navy photo)
Looking toward the future of training, one of the first initiatives shown to Greenert was a mobile training framework that may eventually allow Sailors of the digital generation to receive immersive training, delivered to portable devices on demand. This will allow Sailors to review their lessons and practice skills in realistic virtual environment at a time and location that works best for them.
Greenert was also shown one of NAWCTSD’s newest training systems, the Multi-Purpose Reconfigurable Training Systems (MRTS). This system is based upon a commercial video gaming engine, and provides Sailors with realistic 3-D computer renditions of submarines. Currently being used to deliver training on radio rooms, weapons launching systems, and auxiliary diesel engines, MRTS-based training offers the potential to provide training on countless other Navy systems. “The potential capabilities for MRTS virtually unlimited,” Naylor said, “The quality of the training is first-rate, and the cost savings is enormous.”
The admiral was also shown an example of a Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Integrated Virtual Shipboard Environment curriculum that is being used to help certify and qualify LCS Sailors on one of the Navy’s newest warships before they even set foot aboard the ship for the first time. This system uses an avatar to deliver lessons, and provide feedback, giving the trainee a sense of what it is actually like to work aboard the ship.
Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert views a demonstration of the Virtual Training System on March 31 at the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division at Naval Support Activity. (U.S. Navy photo)
Highlighting the importance of collaboration within Central Florida’s modelling and simulation community, Naylor introduced the Chief of Naval Operations to many of the area’s prominent modelling and simulation supporters, including Stephen Mauldin, Chair of the Central Florida Partnership, and University of Central Florida President, Dr. John Hitt who thanked Greenert for allowing the Navy to continue its long partnership with UCF. Also greeting the admiral were Dr. Daniel Holsenbeck, from UCF; Dr. Craig McAllaster, from Rollins College;; JoAnn Newman, CEO of the Orlando Science Center, and Retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Tom Baptiste, president of the National Center for Simulation. “Innovation doesn’t just happen in a vacuum, that’s why we introduced the Chief of Naval Operations to some of the local community leaders,” Naylor said. “These leaders represent just a few of the many partnerships we enjoy here in Central Florida.”
During his tour of NAWCTSD, Greenert also saw a demonstration of cyber-warfare training which uses simulations to train Sailors on how to identify and respond to an attack on a Navy computer network. His tour ended with a demonstration of a Human Surrogate Interaction system developed in partnership with UCF that allows people to learn how to respond to sensitive human issues, including sexual assault victims, people with cultural differences, and service members recovering from post-traumatic stress.
“Adm. Greenert had enough time to see just a small sample of our capabilities, but I know he left with an even greater appreciation of our ability to provide optimal training solutions for the entire fleet,” NAWCTSD Commanding Officer, Capt. Wes Naylor said. “I know he left with the understanding that NAWCTSD is truly a training warfare center for the entire Navy.”
Following his visit, the CNO wrote, “The Navy team here has the unique support of regional academia, business and industry experts that are focused on innovative training and simulation solutions – their cooperative approaches are impressive. I witnessed great work being done in virtual shipboard simulation; plus creative cyber and SAPR (sexual assault prevention and response) training initiatives. Thanks to everyone that supported my visit, you gave me much to think about.”
The Chief of Naval Operations is the senior military officer of the Department of the Navy. The CNO is a four-star admiral and is responsible to the Secretary of the Navy for the command, utilization of resources, and operating efficiency of the operating forces of the Navy and of the Navy shore activities assigned by the Secretary.
A member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the CNO is the principal naval adviser to the President and to the Secretary of the Navy on the conduct of war, and is the principal adviser and naval executive to the Secretary on the conduct of activities of the Department of the Navy. Greenert became the 30th Chief of Naval Operations Sep. 23, 2011.
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