Photo By Brian Walsh | GREAT LAKES, Ill. (October 31, 2019) Navy Military Training Instructor Electrician's...... read more read more
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NMTIs Prepare New Sailors for the Fleet
By Brian Walsh, Deputy Public Affairs Officer, TSC Great Lakes Public Affairs Office
Great Lakes, Ill. (October 31, 2019)— Navy military training instructors (NMTI) are entrusted with providing leadership, mentorship, and professional development to new-accession Sailors prior to fulfilling their first tour in the Fleet.
To ensure that Training Support Center (TSC) Great Lakes provides the best-of-the-best, rigorous training and testing is required before Sailors are qualified. This training ensures that they are hard-charging, highly motivated, and highly qualified individuals whom students can use as an example of living to the highest standards of honor, courage, and commitment.
“Being a Sailor is much more than a job, it’s a way of life,” said NMTI Fire Controlman Aegis 1st Class Randall Bushu, Fleet Quality Assurance (FQA) division at TSC. “For many students, this is the first time they are away from home, and for some, it’s their first experience in a professional environment. While we train students on the technical aspects of their rate, we also provide guidance and mentorship, demonstrating by our actions how to live the Navy’s Core Values.”
The role that NMTIs play in forging the Navy’s future is no small task. Nearly one-third of all Sailors graduating from Recruit Training Command, around 11,000 to 13,000 young men and women, transfer annually to TSC for “A” School or accession-level training. An NMTI is responsible for leading 250 to 400 of those Sailors daily.
Only top performers are assigned as NMTIs due to the demanding duties of this position. They must finish their qualification within 90 days of completing command indoctrination.
During command indoctrination, newly reported staff members who are billeted as NMTIs are briefed on the certification program, and are issued the NMTI Job Qualification Requirements.
NMTIs learn the operation and management of an "A" school barracks. They are responsible for deck musters, personnel inspections, room entry procedures, barracks room inspections, health and comfort inspections, seabag inspections, barracks indoctrination for newly arrived students, and conduct nightly Navy military training, ranging from Navy general military training to sexual assault prevention.
NMTIs are fully knowledgeable on Navy and TSC instructions such as leave and liberty policies, uniform regulations, hazing, fraternization, student policies, and any updated Navy administrative messages. NMTIs are trained on how to handle any type of emergency in the barracks, from facility issues to any situation that a junior Sailor may present to their NMTI. Prior to being certified, staff must attend NMTI Academy, a six-week training and certification program. The training includes shadowing certified NMTIs in the daily performance of their duties, performing classroom instruction, certifying as an Intervention instructor, conducting command physical training, certifying as Navy Operational Fitness and Fueling Series instructors, and ultimately passing an oral board.
Only upon completion of the rigorous certification program will a Sailor be authorized to perform the duties as an NMTI, wear the red and white aiguillette, and work towards becoming a master training specialist. However, the certification process does not end there. NMTIs are inspected bi-monthly by FQA for proper barracks management and by the Command Instructor Evaluation Team for proper classroom instruction.
The development of an NMTI comes with many trials and challenges. It is imperative the NMTI provide clear communication and guidance to their Sailors so they may meet their training mission while at TSC Great Lakes.
“The ability to motivate, mentor, and prepare new accession Sailors for the many challenges they will face at sea is not an easy task; we have to wear many hats,” said NMTI Electricians Mate 2nd Class Ana Libstorff, FQA division at TSC. “Sometimes I have had students come into our office overwhelmed about situations back home. Being able to separate the mentor hat and discipline hat takes time. It’s a skill we have to hone, and realize these Sailors need mentors and accountability, virtually 24/7, in order to develop as strong leaders.”
When Sailors move on to their next command they will take with them both the knowledge from their “A” School, providing the right training at the right time in the right way, and the standards and professionalism NMTIs instill in them so that they are ready for the Fleet.
“The quality of a new Sailor to the Fleet is a direct reflection on our NMTI’s leadership,” said NMTI Chief Machinist’s Mate Kevin Livingston, leading chief petty officer of FQA Division. “Our staff takes great pride ensuring that the Fleet is provided with the most capable Sailors ready to take on what the Navy has charged them with – Protecting this country against all enemies foreign and domestic.”
The commitment by staff in providing the Fleet with a well-rounded Sailor begins at the top.
“Developing our NMTI’s leadership abilities and providing them tools to be highly successful is my top priority,’’ said TSC Commanding Officer Capt. Dave Dwyer. “Our new accession Sailors are learning how to be a Sailor and we throw a lot their way in a short period of time. While we are investing a lot of time and energy in the professional development of our NMTI’s, we are working hard in the area of character development for our new accession Sailors. Not only are our Sailors learning a professional trade via the apprentice level schools they are attending, the NMTI’s are teaching them how to be a great Shipmate, and how to daily live by our core values: honor, courage and commitment.”
Sailors interested in becoming an NMTI can contact their detailer or TSC Great Lakes.
| Date Taken: | 11.01.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 11.01.2019 12:51 |
| Story ID: | 350181 |
| Location: | GREAT LAKES, ILLINOIS, US |
| Web Views: | 1,011 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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