Navy Announces 2010 Training Excellence Award Winners

By Steve VanderWerff, Naval Education and Training Command Public Affairs

PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) -- Rear Adm. Joseph Kilkenny, commander, Naval Education and Training Command (NETC), announced the winners of the 2010 Training Excellence Awards (TEA) for superior accomplishment in supporting NETC's vision, March 29.

The annual award recognizes commands that epitomize the highest standards of training excellence ensuring superbly trained Sailors are available to meet the needs of the fleet, and ensuring the success of the Navy as a global force for good.

"The choices underscore the tremendous talent, dedication and focused dedication to mission found throughout NETC," said Kilkenny. "Each of them represents unrivaled devotion and professionalism in their approach to applying training and preparing today's Sailors for the fleet."

This year's competition was different than in years past. After the 2009 TEA, Kilkenny directed that the competition be structured more like the Battle Effectiveness (Battle "E") competition practiced throughout the fleet that recognizes sustained superior performance in an operational environment within a command.

No longer do learning and training support centers "self-nominate," but each are assessed based on metrics assigned by NETC headquarter directorates. At the end of the year, the directorates assessed the learning centers and training support centers, and totaled their scores. Areas assessed include results of Inspector General (IG) and safety visits, and how well the staff manages training and student throughput, as well as correct handling of specialty items such as ordnance, radiation, and high risk training.

"The 2010 TEA resulted in more centers being recognized for the hard work that goes on behind the classrooms to ensure delivered training meets fleet requirements and demonstrate superior accomplishments as they relate to NETC's strategic foundation," said Board Coordinator Dean Taylor.

All NETC training activities and those that conduct NETC training courses are eligible. The TEA is composed of three categories: The Learning Center Training Excellence "T Award, The Training Support Center Training Support Excellence "TS" Award and functional excellence awards.

Functional award criteria are different for learning centers and training support centers. Learning centers and training support centers are measured against a standard which are the metrics listed in the new instruction. Centers that achieved a mark of 90 percent or greater are awarded the functional award. The overall winner is made by a comparison of the learning center with the highest score. So for functional awards, centers are competing against a standard. For the overall award, centers compete against one another.

"Center for Personal and Professional Development, the 2010 overall award winner, had a higher average score across all functional award areas, which put them above the rest," said Taylor.

The 2010 award winners include:

Learning Center Training Excellence "T" award: Center for Personal and Professional Development, Virginia Beach, Va.

Training Support Center Training Support Excellence "TS" Award: Training Support Center San Diego, San Diego, Calif.

Learning Center Functional Excellence Recipients:

Information Technology Award (Gold T):

- Center for Naval Engineering, Norfolk, Va.

- Center for Information Dominance, Pensacola, Fla.

- Center for Naval Intelligence, Virginia Beach, Va.

- Center for Surface Combat Systems, Dahlgren, Va.

Logistics Management Award (Blue T):

- Center for Naval Engineering, Norfolk, Va.

- Surface Warfare Officers Schools Command, Newport, R.I.

Planning and Programming (Gray T):

- Submarine Learning Center, Groton, Conn.

Training Production Management (Green T):

- Center for Naval Engineering, Norfolk, Va. (Tie)

- Surface Warfare Officers Schools Command, Newport, R.I. (Tie)

- Engineering Duty Officer School, Port Hueneme, Calif.

- Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training, Pensacola, Fla.

- Center for Seabees and facilities Engineering, Port Hueneme, Calif.

Total Force Management (Red T):

- Center for Personal and Professional Development, Virginia Beach Va.

- Submarine Learning Center, Groton, Conn.

Training Support Center Functional Excellence Recipients:

Information Technology (Gold TS):

- Training Support Center, San Diego, San Diego, Calif.

Logistic Management Award (Blue TS):

- Training Support Center San Diego, San Diego, Calif.

Planning and Programming (Gray TS):

- Training Support Center San Diego, San Diego, Calif. (Tie)

- Training Support Center Great Lakes, Great Lakes, Ill. (Tie)

Total Force Management (Red TS):

- Training Support Center San Diego, San Diego, Calif.

"This year's competition was particularly intense, due to the outstanding hard work and enthusiastic efforts of our trainers and educators throughout the past year," said NETC Force Master Chief John Snyder. "Resourceful and innovative efforts made these commands truly stand out."

A plaque and a burgee (pennant) will be presented to the award winners. Commands are authorized to display the burgee throughout the 2011 calendar year to indicate their outstanding accomplishment and excellence in the delivery of education and training.