August 29, 2023 | International, Aerospace
Netherlands doubles order of MQ-9 Reaper drones, plans to arm them
The Dutch want to be able to conduct more missions in more places, according to a government spokesperson.
July 30, 2019 | International, Naval
Sailor 360 Prepares Future Leaders of Ford
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Sean Elliott, USS Gerald R. Ford Public Affairs
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (NNS) -- Sailors assigned to the Ford-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) develop and implement their leadership skills during Sailor 360 training sessions, physical training and community relations projects, designed to strengthen and enrich its enlisted leaders.
Sailor 360 was created to provide the tools to develop Sailors into effective leaders. Ford's version of Sailor 360 is the program expanding to include more ranks in a continued effort in developing the backbone of the Navy.
“Sailor 360 is a program to help guide future leaders,” said Master-at-Arms 1st Class Eric Soto, from San Antonio. “Its goal is to engage Sailors and prepare us to take on future leadership roles.”
Ford's Sailor 360 co-lead, Chief Hospital Corpsman Marlene Koza, from Norfolk, agrees it is never too early to train and mentor the Navy's future deckplate leaders.
“Mentoring Sailors earlier gives them skills to lead Sailors of their divisions competently,” said Koza. “An effective leader makes sure all of the information is broken down and understood by their team, in other words helping them see the bigger picture, before leading the team towards a goal.”
Sailor 360 is team-building based, involving the development and sharing of ideas, community outreach, and training among shipmates. The program requires a large commitment and Soto says the payoff is greater, and molds them into better leaders.
“[As opposed to previous programs], Sailor 360 is going to create a better, well-rounded leader of tomorrow,” said Soto. “It's going to bring the same leadership skills, but is going to fill in the gaps previous programs may have missed.”
During the trainings and events, Sailors can count on being involved and engaged.
“Attendees can expect to have a family environment, and be held accountable to share ideas,” said Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Richard Mabe, from Matthews, Virginia. “Be ready to interact and come together for the common goal.”
As first class petty officers train to improve their leadership skills, Koza added that it's important to keep in mind the continual group progress towards individual leadership goals.
“I conduct interviews for the leadership positions within Sailor 360 to find the best Sailors that will embrace that role and have a positive effect for the program and command,” said Koza."
Sailors hold their commitment to the program and developing themselves for many reasons, but a few reasons continually rise above the rest.
“I'm committed to becoming a better Sailor and leader for Sailors to look up to,” said Soto. “With the help of our mentors and shipmates this program is helping everyone maintain a constant attitude of building each other up.”
Future plans to implement the program to all ranks are in the works.
“For the time being, first class petty officers are encouraged to join, but in the near future the program will open to include second class petty officers,” said Koza.
Sailor 360 helps all Sailors in their professional and personal lives. Forming a stronger Navy and developing Sailors into better people and leaders.
Gerald R. Ford is a first-in-class aircraft carrier and the first new aircraft carrier designed in more than 40 years. Ford is currently undergoing its post-shakedown availability at Huntington Ingalls Industries-Newport News Shipbuilding.
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December 11, 2023 | International, C4ISR
DISA launches cloud-based electronic warfare planning tool
The EMBM-J program supports the Pentagon's pursuit of seamless connectivity, known as Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control, officials said.
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July 8, 2019 | International, Other Defence
Pentagon Looks into Virtual Reality to Prepare Troops for Nuclear War
By JACK CORRIGAN The Defense Department is considering investing in virtual reality platforms to prepare troops to face nuclear threats. The Defense Threat Reduction Agency on Tuesday began seeking information on virtual reality training systems that would allow troops to rehearse different scenarios involving “radiological threats.” The agency, which focuses on countering weapons of mass destruction, could one day use the tech to train troops to intercept radiological weapons on the battlefield, respond to radioactive contamination and even prepare for full-fledged nuclear war, officials wrote in the solicitation. While virtual and augmented platforms wouldn't entirely replace the agency's current training regimen, they would expose troops to more training exercises than they could ever experience in the real world. Physical training is expensive and time-consuming, but through virtual reality, troops could run through more exercises more frequently and at a lower cost. Under the solicitation, officials are looking for industry to outline their own virtual reality platforms, the hardware required to use them and how environments can be modified to accommodate new exercises. Officials plan to use the information collected under the solicitation to inform potential future acquisitions. Responses are due Aug. 12. This wouldn't be the first time the Pentagon turned to virtual platforms to train troops for real-world scenarios. Last year, Microsoft won a $480 million contract with the Army to adapt its HoloLens augmented reality headsets for use in military training and combat operations. The headsets would be outfitted with artificial intelligence and machine-learning capabilities, and provide troops with “increased lethality, mobility, and situational awareness.” In February, Microsoft employees wrote a letter to executives demanding the company pull out of the contract, saying they “refuse to create technology for warfare and oppression.” The company opted to stand by its partnership with the Pentagon. https://www.nextgov.com/emerging-tech/2019/07/pentagon-looks-virtual-reality-prepare-troops-nuclear-war/158227/