International Surface Warfare Officers School Fosters International Relations

By Surface Warfare Officer School Public Affairs

NEWPORT, R.I. (NNS) -- Fifteen naval officers graduated from the three-week Combat Information Center Watch Officer (CICWO) course during a ceremony at the International Surface Warfare Officers School (ISWOS) on board Naval Station Newport, R.I., April 1.

The officers were from Colombia, Peru, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Tunisia, Trinidad-Tobago, and Uruguay. More than 150 allied nations send military students through selected courses at training centers and schools throughout the Naval Education and Training Command domain.

"The mission of ISWOS is simple; create the foundation for building trust through knowledge sharing for the purposes of international partnership and global security," said Lt. Cmdr. Jody Mandeville, director of the Surface Warfare Officer School International program. "The program is designed to foster international cooperation and prepare officers to serve at sea through professional education and knowledge sharing, and falls in line with the chief of naval operations' guidance for 2011, of establishing international relationships to increase security and achieve common interests in the maritime domain."

During their stay, students were immersed in the school's mission of preparing officers to serve at sea. The course emphasizes multi-threat warfare, combat information center equipment, special maneuvering, and navigation.

Students were taught how to plan, coordinate, and manage the supervision of all combat information center operations and training during routine peacetime steaming.

The school's high-tech conning officer virtual environment (COVE) and full mission bridge simulators gave the students a greater understanding of ship handling.

The students shared the same facilities and instructors with American students, and like their American counterparts, used the same modern classrooms and high-tech virtual reality trainers. The technology, along with hands on training, is used to broaden the scope of the students surface warfare knowledge, and ranges from basic seamanship to complex maritime operations.

Social and cultural events are included in the curriculum. Each student was assigned a sponsor to introduce them to American culture and foster personal relationships. During their free time the sponsors hosted students in their homes, took them to movies and gave them opportunities to experience American culture in an informal setting.

Students also participated in field service programs designed to promote an understanding of American society, its institutions, ideals and overarching commitment to basic principles of human rights. Trips included lectures at Salve Regina University, social gatherings with international students attending the U.S. Naval War College, and a Newport history and mansions tour.