JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Joint Base Charleston's port operations has recently implemented a new 'Train the Trainer' program to effectively cut down on spending and improve resourcefulness.
A training specialist from Navy Region Southeast has been travelling to different bases training crew members as well as overseeing the process.
"What we're doing this week is a basic boat coxswain class and a 'Train the Trainer' program," said Shane Adcox, Navy Region Southeast training specialist. "It consisted of putting the Sailors here through a series of classes. The following week they will be training the newer Sailors on the information they just learned. Once trained, they will be able to provide training to any new arrivals to their unit."
"In Navy Region Southeast, there are only two trainers in the area qualified to teach others," said Adcox. "This new program would allow commands to continue training in our absence. The continual training will ensure qualifications are maintained and new arrivals are taught and brought in as a crewmember faster and cheaper."
"The method we are taking to save money is to have the trainers visit the different bases and stay there to qualify people," said Adcox. "Overall there are huge dollar savings. So, as opposed to taking the six Sailors in class and sending them to a Navy search and rescue school, they can receive the training at their own unit without having to spend travel money. "
The JB Charleston Weapons Station's shoreline spans approximately 16 miles of the Cooper River and Sailors and Airmen are patrolling the shoreline on Harbor Patrol boats 24 hours a day seven days a week.
"The crewmembers are required to be qualified in basic boat coxswain training," said Adcox.
The coxswain is the primary boat operator, charged with steering the proper course, controlling the throttles and engine speed while maneuvering the boat in close quarters.
The coxswain's main secondary duty is the maintenance of the vessel including maintenance of the hull, engine and navigation and communications systems. The coxswain is also an expert in the maintenance and operation of any weapons systems embarked on the unit's boats.
"All of the new 'train the trainer' instructors get tested and receive annual visits from the port operations to ensure compliance and to keep the program technically sound," said Adcox.
The responsibilities are handed to the training lead petty officers to teach the new Sailors and Airmen about what they learned through their courses.
"I am the training LPO for harbor security," said MA1 Brian Carr, harbor patrolman. "My role in the training course, in particular, is to ensure the trainers are qualified to actually teach these courses to certify and new Sailors and Airmen."
"What this course does is give us a broader perspective of knowledge and gives us more things that we can cover, more things we can get people qualified on," said Carr. "Instead of being that basic qualified coxswain, they would now be able to do more than what their basic job is.
As trainers, this course benefits us greatly because we haven't had something like this before and learning what we didn't know prior makes us better instructors," said Carr.
Overall, the program will save thousands of dollars for the Department of Defense and will be an effective tool for the trainers to teach and learn.
"It's an outstanding group here at Charleston," said Adcox. "They have great support from the port operations department as well as the security department."