Department of the Navy Human Resources interns visit NAWCTSD

Transcription

1 Department of the Navy Human Resources interns gather in front of an F/A-18 display aircraft prior to taking a tour of the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division January 26. ORLANDO, Fla. -- A group of more than 30 Department of the Navy Human Resources interns representing a variety of Navy commands from throughout the United States visited the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division January 26 as part of their orientation training class conducted in Orlando. The class was greeted in the NAWCTSD Command Boardroom by Director of Corporate Operations, Mike Friedman who took advantage of January's designation as "National Mentoring Month" to highlight NAWCTSD's participation in the Naval Air Systems Command mentorship "imentor" program. He encouraged the interns to see out meaningful mentorship relationships with experienced employees when they return to their commands. Friedman went on to describe NAWCTSD's focus as an acquisition command to the interns. "Our job is to be the smartest; best buyers of training solutions," he said in explaining the command's role as an acquisition center for training systems. "To do so requires talented professionals across many disciplines and finding them is where you play a critical role." Page 1 of 5

2 The sessions included an opportunity for the interns to participate in panel discussions with human resources specialist working at NAWCTSD. During the panel session, the interns were introduced to several of NAWCTSD's human resources employees, who each introduced themselves and discussed their jobs. The interns were also able to share their experience by providing insight to some NAWCTSD supervisors on how to best take advantage of hiring procedures through the USA Jobs system. After breaking for lunch, the interns met with NAWCTSD Commanding Officer, Capt. Bill Reuter who discussed how the Navy and other agencies use modeling and simulation to conduct training. He also discussed how NAWCTSD collaborates with the other military services, and academia in Central Florida where various organizations leverage off one another to make the region the nation's center of excellence in modeling and simulation. He discussed how in addition to simulators that many people are familiar with; new technologies are opening new training paths. The captain used the University of Central Florida's Institute for Simulation and Training (IST), which shares space with DoD in "Partnership Buildings" located in the Central Florida Research Park as an example. "IST is working on developing artificial intelligence," Reuter said. He described various training applications that use the technology and how the technology relates to military training. "Avatar-based education has tremendous promise for applications not just within the Navy, but outside as well." He cited an example of how Department of Defense Education Activity Schools uses technology in an Office of Naval Research-developed "digital tutor" program to help high school students retain skills. He explained how the modeling and simulation organizations, collectively known as "Team Orlando" work together to "improve human performance through simulation." Highlighting the importance of human resources to the organization, Reuter explained that to meet training needs at the speed of technology, it is often necessary to deliver training systems quickly. "The difference between rapid, and not rapid delivery is the people," he said. Following the captain's remarks, the interns were given a tour of the facility, which included a demonstration of visual systems used in flight simulators, hands-on experience with the Conning Officers Virtual Environment (COVE), and some stick time in a commercial off the shelf (COTS) flight simulator which helps NAWCTSD engineers better understand the dynamics of flight. At the end of the tour, the interns left with a better understanding of NAWCTSD's mission and how human resources professionals play an important role on the team. "My intern colleagues were very impressed with the tour and the Page 2 of 5

3 hospitality that was shown to us, and many mentioned that, this was one of the best tours we have been on yet," said Intern and Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Total Force Consultant, Christopher J. Grondalski. "All in all, it was a great day to be a NAVAIR employee!" The DON HR Intern Program is designed to ensure a systematic approach to building core competencies and developing the skill sets required to fulfill HR s emerging roles as strategic partners, change agents, consultants and multi-faceted technical experts. The two-year program is designed to serve as a key source of intake of high potential HR Professionals into the DON HR Community. Prior to being selected for the program, each of the interns completed a four-year undergraduate education with an excellent academic standing, gained varied professional experiences and possess a clear interest in and a commitment to a career in human resources. Upon successful completion of all Competency Training Courses and Competency Attainment Rotational Assignments, DON HR interns are eligible for conversion to a permanent position within the Department of the Navy. - NAWCTSD Human Resources Director, Phyllis Spano welcomes a group of Department of the Navy Human Resources interns January 26, 2012 before beginning a round table discussion with members of the command's Total Force Strategy and Management team. Page 3 of 5

4 NAVAIR News Release NAWCTSD employee Bruce Riner using a computer-generated image projected on a half dome-shaped screen demonstrates how visual technology is used in developing simulators to a group of Department of the Navy Human Resources interns January 26, NAWCTSD employee, Mike Wehmer demonstrates the Conning Officer Virtual Environment to a group of Department of the Navy Human Resources interns January 26, Page 4 of 5

5 NAWCTSD Historian, Phil Howell shows a 1930's vintage Link instrument trainer while explaining the history of Navy modeling and simulation to a group of Department of the Navy Human Resources interns January 26, Page 5 of 5