CENSECFOR Announces New Apprenticeship Trade

By Darryl Orrell, Center for Security Forces Public Affairs

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (NNS) -- The Center for Security Forces (CENSECFOR) announced Jan. 13 that the fourth installment to its list of apprenticeship trades is now available to Sailors for open enrollment.

The new Armory Technician Apprenticeship Trade is available to Sailors, E-4 and above, who serve in a broad range of ratings such as Gunner's Mate, Master-At-Arms, Special Warfare Operator, and more.

"This is an apprentice level trade applicable to personnel who store, inventory, issue, receive and maintain records on assigned arms, ammunition and explosives," said Jose Bautista, Master-At-Arms (MA) programs manager at (CENSECFOR).

Sailors can enroll in this new Department of Labor (DoL) approved apprenticeship trade by visiting United Services Military Apprenticeship Program (USMAP) online and select the 'Enroll/Reinstate' link to begin.

Bautista went on to point out that this is probably the only apprenticeship trade that covers multiple ratings and provides sailors with improved skills and competencies.

"Sailors desiring to enroll must have completed the Security Force Weapons Personal Qualifications 301, 305, 308, 322, and 323. A Sailor must also possess NEC [Naval Enlisted Classification Code] 0812, 0814, 9525, or 9536," said Bautista.

Sailors who successfully complete the required 2000 hours of documented experience will earn the distinction of being an Armory Technician. The level of experience covers six select skill areas such as maintenance, inventory control, security, and safety just to name a few.

USMAP works closely with the DOL to provide nationally recognized apprenticeship programs that result in journeyman-level certificates of completion for members of the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. During their apprenticeship, service members document their military duties while working in their rating or military occupational specialty.

Bautista also alluded to the next wave of apprenticeship trades to be released as being the Criminal Investigator Apprenticeship and the Military Working Dog (MWD) Apprenticeship.

The package for the Criminal Investigator Apprenticeship is currently pending DOL approval with an anticipated release sometime this spring or summer.

"The CIA (Criminal Investigator Apprenticeship) is designed for MA personnel having the military police investigator NEC 2002, as well as appropriate personnel in the USMC and USCG," said Bautista. "The MWD apprenticeship is currently in development stages and its anticipated release date is yet to be determined."

Apprenticeship forerunners to the new Armory Technician Apprenticeship have been highly successful since their debut. For example, the Security Specialist and the Police Officer I (Government Service) apprenticeships have had up to 1,600 active enrollments.

Earning the DOL certificate costs the service member nothing and does not normally require working additional off-duty hours. USMAP has provided sea-service military members with journeyman level certifications for more than 35 years and reached a record 50,000 current active USMAP participants last year.

"These nationally recognized certifications give Sailors the opportunity to perform duties and gain experience they might not otherwise have an opportunity to achieve," said Bautista.

The Center for Security Forces provides specialized training to more than 28 thousand students each year and has 14 training locations across the U.S. and around the world.