Training

Saturday, 27 January.  In spite of the many opportunities at NTrain for National staff meetings, the main purpose of this annual gathering is the District Staff Officer (DSO) workshops.  Each of these workshops were prepared and presented by select members of each of the represented departments.

Participating in NTrain 2007 were the following departments: Marine Safety and Environment (DSO-MS); Commercial Fishing Vessel Examiners (DSO-CFV); Member Training (DSO-MT); Communication Services (DSO-CS); Vessel examiners (DSO-VE); Personnel Services (DSO-PS); Operations (DSO-OP); Public Education (DSO-PE).

The purpose of each of these training workshops was to convey the newest changes to their respective programs, if any, and give each DSO an opportunity to discuss their problems, seek solutions, have questions answered and share ideas and describe activities that proved successful in other districts.

Each of the attending DSOs is charged with the responsibility of carrying the information received in the workshops back to their home districts.  Therefore, SITREP will only provide an overview of the workshops.

Commercial Fishing Vessel Examiner Personnel (DSO-CFV)
The workshop opened with each of the Branch Chiefs and Assistants providing an overview of district activities, initiatives, achievements, problems and issues.  Discussions followed.  The Area Coordinators then provided an overview of the Commercial Fishing Vessel (CFV) program.  The National Regional Program Manager assisted in this overview.

Pilot programs were presented and discussed, including funding, personnel qualification standards, on-the-job training, reporting, exams, and decals.  The issues and needs or augmentation policy implementation was discussed.

Administrative issues including mission funding, orders and reimbursements were discussed followed by discussions involving AUXDATA reporting and examinations.

The workshop continued with discussions about training and support with many issues and problems brought to the table for discussion. 

As with all programs in the Auxiliary the need for recruiting is important.  During the discussions, recruiting examiners, selling yourself and your program was paramount.

A CFVE course was discussed and personnel selection and support methods were highlighted.  Some of the other programs discussed included safety and survival training; drill conductors; industry days; support to sectors; expanding roles as CFVE; awards and recognition.

Marine Safety and Environmental Personnel DSO-MS

By COMO Mary Larsen, Past National Area Commodore
“Super Gumby” Department meets at N-Train. 

Starting at 1900 on Thursday evening, members of the Marine Safety (MS) program gathered for updates that would bring them up to speed.  Looking at the amazing range of missions assigned to the Marine Safety department, it is not surprising that training and updates covered a wide range of topics. 

This department really merits the designation of “Super Gumby” – affectionately used by those who work under the MS umbrella to point up the scope of their missions.  Here’s a sampling of topics covered in this year’s sessions – container inspection, harbor patrols, work in Regional Testing Centers, Sea Partners, commercial fishing vessel inspections, un-inspected passenger vessel inspections and America’s Waterway Watch. 

The district staff officers responsible for these varied programs shared a variety of experiences and “challenges,” but managed they managed to stay upbeat throughout.  In fact, many times the shared information brought a lot of levity to the proceedings. 

They started on Thursday evening, with an orientation session for the DSO’s new to the MS program, and kicked off again early Friday morning for a full day of presentations for all the DSOs – that day ran on into the evening with meal breaks that allowed for networking.  It was interesting to see the DSO’s new to the program welcomed and included by the veterans. 

Most of Saturday the sessions continued ending that day with an opportunity to ask questions of Department Chiefs from the I Department, the A Department and the O Department.  Sunday morning provided time for a wrap-up and resolution of items that had been “parked” for the preceding days.  The participants left with notebooks and the latest information in their area.

Public Education Personnel (DSO-PE)
Many topics were discussed during the workshop sessions.  These included such topics as “what have you gotten yourself into;” and the best ways to keep in contact with your parallel staff at the division and flotilla levels.

There were a lot of “nuts and bolts” discussions that included the “How to’s of workshop presentations;” writing reports; getting invites to unit meetings; writing articles; problem solving and web site posting.

The Education Director of the National Association of Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) presented NASBLA education standards, why they exist, what do they mean and why they are evolving.

An update on current public education courses was offered and discussed.  This was followed by a discussion by and with individuals from some of our exciting partnerships: The Boy Scouts of America, “Skiers Choice” magazine and “Soundings” magazine.

A discussion on the “Instructor Development Course” was presented followed by a discussion on the “PE Hotline, What it is and how you can help.”  The new AUXPlus-PE program was described and discussed.

Member Training Personnel (DSO-MT)
The workshop opened with a group discussion about “How, as DSO-MT Officers, can we put the “Generations” information to good use and how we recruit and retain members?”

A discussion on the new “Instructor Development Course” was presented followed by a question and answer session.  Also included in the workshop were discussions involving the status of e-learning in the Coast Guard and a Leadership Course update.

Various Department Chiefs joined the workshop in a “round table” discussion.  During this session questions were answered and suggestions were made of the services offered by the respective department heads and how to use them to the fullest advantage of all.

There was a two hour session on the important issue of new member integration, especially the first six months.  The followed a wrap up of significant learnings and action planning.

Vessel Examiners (DSO-VE)
The workshop opened with a presentation and facilitated discussion “Good news/Missed opportunities.”

A PowerPoint presentation “V Department On-Line” opened a discussion on the e-VE Department.  The “I Want a VSC” system was described and discussed.  The “V Department Mailing List” was also described and discussed.  The presentation was closed with a discussion on locating and using the VE website.

Vessel examiner training and testing occupied a major portion of the workshop.  Included was an overview of training materials including a DVD demonstrating vessel safety checks.  A portion of the discussion was about examination of Auxiliary Operational Facility (OPFAC) examinations.

A discussion concerning changes to the vessel examiner manual, supplements to the vessel examiner manual and a vessel examiner technical guide.  Teamwork opportunities with other organizations were discussed including the “Marina/Yacht Club Safe Boater Program.”

As with other programs recruiting and retention is a number one theme.  Topics including recruiting on the docks and sharing of recruiting ideas were discussed.  The sessions closed with a discussion on goal setting and communications with the divisions and flotillas.

Personnel Services Officers (DSO-PS)
The members of the “P” Department established a theme for their presentation, the “Purple Pirates of PS” and the DSOs PS embraced the theme with abandon.  Their purple colored badges and clip boards accented the theme.  The unique idea was used to illustrate the methods that could be used to unite a group under a common cause or banner.  The goal, using ideas such as this, is the retention of members.

The opening presentation was a discussion of retention resources with a question and answer session.  The recruiting lead handling system, its values, production and let downs were discussed and suggestions for improvement of communications were discussed.

The workshop continued with discussions about “burnout and rustout” and news about new uniforms.  Diversity n the field and its importance to the growth and health of the Auxiliary was discussed.

Closing out the workshop were discussions about awards and ombudsmanship and member benefits.

Communication Services Personnel (DSO-CS)

By Brett Grooms, DC-I, Department Chief Information Services

The I-Department emphasized our role as a service department; to the District Commodores and Departments Chief’s.  The DSO-CS training program included team building exercises, roundtable discussion, presentations relevant to the job function of a DSO-CS, and presentations from various departments.  After an introduction and overview of the I-Department, Lt. Robert Moore from CG-6 Coast Guard Headquarters discussed the “Future of E-Coast Guard” and how the Auxiliary is an integral part of the process.  This was followed by a team building exercise with the T-Department. Saturday had roundtable discussions allowing the DSO-CS officers to communicate the needs and expectation of the I-Department.  

The day continued with presentations about using technology to improve communications, security, web standards, and requirements of Auxiliary websites.  Additional discussions included helping technology challenged members and messages Auxiliary Flotilla, Division, and District websites should be conveying.  The Department Chief of Training discussed C-Schools.

Sunday the Department Chiefs of Public Affairs and Personnel discussed their programs and how DSO-CSs can combine our efforts to work toward a common goal. Roy Savoca, DC-Id

Operations Personnel (DSO-OP)
The session opened with an overview of the Operations Department and the new Coast Guard Departmental designations, such as G-PCX-2 becoming CG-3PCX-2.

A review of district best practices and mentor training programs followed.  The “Operational Excellence Program” and the “PWC Program” were included in the discussion.

A joint meeting with the Coast Guard District Operational Officers (OTO) discussed the Auxiliary Boat Crew Training Manual and Qualification Guides.  A presentation and overview of manual changes, a breakdown of the manual’s chapters and a review of the training was included.  The session closed with questions and answers.

Following the joint meeting the operation officers discussed mishap and general AUXDAT reporting.  The discussion included facility and personal watercraft inspection forms, the new vehicle offer for use form and POMS issues (patrol order management system).

The group then had an opportunity to discuss surface operations issues and concerns.