N-Train 2012

Once upon a time the three Auxiliary Areas had spring conferences. These focused on training and had social events folded in. C-130’s and other CG aircraft ferried participants to and from, and a good time was had by all. Oh, the three areas were Atlantic, Central and Pacific Areas, each with a National Rear Commodore.

Somewhere around the late 80’s or early 90’s, budgets were squeezed and cuts were made. The aircraft went away, tickets for the few were curtailed, and the powers to be cancelled the Area Conferences.

In their place, NTrain was born. This was to be a no-nonsense intense training session over a January weekend at a hotel in St. Louis, central to most Auxiliarists. National staff members prepared the training for District Staff Officers of certain specialties. The training began at 1800 on Friday until 2200, all day Saturday until 1700, and Sunday morning until noon, when the convicts were released. No dinners, no fancy speeches, TRAINING.

At first, 6 DSO’s from each district were invited and issued travel and lodging orders. That’s District Staff Officers, folks, and certain ones were chosen, for instance, Public Education, Operations, Vessel Exam, Public Affairs, Materials, and Information Services. Next year, different DSO’s went, so in time, all had a turn in the barrel.

Soon, a National Executive Committee meeting was scheduled, that being Department Chiefs, District Commodores and the National Executive Board. Ah, you say, it’s growing. Well, it did, but it still was cost effective, and a whole lot of good training, staffing, networking, etc., got done.

OK, I have just returned from this year’s version of NTrain. I am a District Staff Officer, state liaison, so I and most of my counterparts from other Districts or Regions were locked in a room for the periods described above. We had a bunch of presentations, had an exercise with break out groups, heard from associated colleagues, and gathered a mass of handouts, folders, binders and business cards.

We met people we had talked to on the phone, but never seen, and the session served to really put some glue into the staff job we have. It gave us hints of how we could perform better, hints of what we need to do, and tactics to use. It also gave us contacts with our National Staff people, who have a better wider angle lens. Our leader even burned a CD with all the power points, handouts, and other stuff for us to take home. Now we can send that along to our staffies who didn’t go, but can use the info.

I mention all this to record that N Train is a serious conclave and helps the Auxiliary be more professional. I would recommend anyone looking to take a District Staff Officer job to be aware of this training, maybe not this year, maybe next.

It is too bad the social fun doesn’t exist, except for maybe a dinner in a restaurant, but the service is getting a bang for their buck. Some of the output may filter down the chain to our flotilla staff officers, that’s the idea anyway. We’ll see. You may read about NTrain on the National Web site, or in various Auxiliary publications.

Now that you’ve read this article, NTrain won’t be such a “Whazzat???”

Instructor leads discussion

Our local interpreter also translated the New Jersey State requirements into Spanish from English that is required to be presented as part of the course. My thanks to the folks at the National Supply Center for shipping both the Spanish text books and exams to us in a priority manner. The cooperation with our national public education team and the National Supply Center personnel was outstanding. Without their help and cooperation we would not have been able to hold the class. This class had to be held on a Sunday as many were individual business owners and that was the only day that their operations were down.

The class participation was excellent. The process was the instructor would read the slide, present the information concerning that subject slide and the interpreter would then translate and ask for any questions. The questions were asked in both English and Spanish. Responses were given in Spanish so that all had full understanding. Instructors would also answer individual questions at the break and lunch periods.

Finally at the conclusion of the teaching presentations and review periods came the time for the exam. The class was given the opportunity to take a break or go right into the exam. They were all excited to skip the break and go for the final exam.

The exam included all the normal questions plus ten questions concerning the State of New Jersey specific. All of the student, save one, passed the exam.

Using the “AuxplusPE” program recorded all the student data. We were able to print out the individual certificates and cards of course completion. We presented them to all those that satisfactorily passed the ABS course. Their names and information would then be submitted into the New Jersey State Marine Police database to enable each to get their N.J. Boating Permit.

The instructors then had a final course evaluation and summary of what we did correctly and what could have been improved. The course evaluation showed that the ABS Spanish Text book was excellent and the information was presented very well for full understanding. Since that course was given we have been approached by another local community wanting us to repeat the course in their city with the fully support of the local Chamber of Commerce and the boating community.

We will never know how many lives we have saved or how many new friends we have made on the water. Knowing that we have both educated boaters on our local waters and are meeting the needs of the Hispanic community is a wonderful feeling.

Some Coast Guard Sector New York active duty personnel were very interested in knowing the results of our first course. They expressed thanks that we were addressing this local needs knowing well that we may have also saved their resources from having to go out and save some boater.

We look forward to bringing additional success stories to the Auxiliary and to the Public Education officers in the near future. The time and efforts do really count and are rewarding.

Typical NTrain workshop session

 

 

 

 

 

~gja 02/18/12