OPCOM 05 Capt Folsom Chief Training Office

"People First" was the theme of all of the OPCOM reports presented at N-Train 2006. The N-TRAIN gathering provides an opportunity for our National leadership to meet and conduct Auxiliary business in a "closed door" setting. The National Operating Committee (OPCOM) is composed of the National elected senior officers, the various National Department Chiefs and certain appointed National staff positions.

The OPCOM, chaired by National Chief of Staff Carol Urgola, met for two days prior to the start of the training workshops. OPCOM members discussed the past progress and future plans for their respective departments. They also listened to guest speakers from the Coast Guard who discussed matters of training and security.

A value of the OPCOM meeting is the ability of the attendees to share thoughts and ideas with their colleagues and to offer the use of their individual department's resources. If there was such a curriculum as "Networking 101," OPCOM could certainly be used as a prime example of an excellent networking opportunity. A considerable amount of business was discussed at the breaks, "It's where the important stuff gets done," said DC-P Gregg Trask.

"We must advise all of our constituents of the value of becoming a National Branch Chief," said DC-T Gail Fisher. "Branch Chiefs are usually single project oriented (rather than program oriented) and are afforded the opportunity to use some of their life skills in the work of the Auxiliary," she said. "Becoming a Branch Chief is not to be considered an upward promotion, rather, it is an excellent training opportunity and also an opportunity to receive National exposure and recognition."

There was a new twist added to this year's N-Train OPCOM meeting. The District Vice Commodores (VCO) and Deputy Department Chiefs were invited to attend the second day as observers. The District Commodores have been attending OPCOM in this capacity for many years. "This was an amazing experience, I am glad I was able to attend," said Deputy Chief of Public Affairs (DC-Ad) Ed Sweeney.

Since most of the reports offered dealt with future projects their contents are deemed "not for prime time." Those portions that were for public consumption were included in the DSO training sessions that followed the next day.