Because He Can

It is natural that every time a person moves to a new position he searches for ways to make his mark; like a peacock fanning his feathers it's both an assertion of power and a proactive approach to the nagging concern of legacy. For the new Warrant Officer in training this means requiring all Training Petty Officers (that's me) to plan training days with an official Letter of Instruction (LOI) in SMEAC format. The added requirement was previously unnecessary, and is in my mind a waste of time, but the Warrant requires it because he can and because it serves as proof that he effectively controls his troops.

For the sake of documentation, and to illustrate the ridiculousness of the Warrant's request, I'm posting the LOI I am required to submit for each command training day (I'm e-mailing this in and I'm not sure how the formatting is going to come out on the other end). It is worth keeping in mind that our detachment is made up of 24 personnel who I work, eat, and live with every day. I have no problems verbally communicating expectations and schedules. It's also worth noting that I used Zulu time instead of local time because I think it's funny.

LETTER OF INSTRUCTION: UNIT TRAINING SATURDAY

1.      SITUATION. NMCB FIVE will execute Detail level Training Saturday #2 on 30 September 2006.
2.      MISSION. To train all hands of NMCB FIVE, DET CUBA on the following topics: Basic Nutrition, SCW First Aid, SCW Supply and Logistics, FY07 GMT Financial Management: Protecting Your Belongings With Insurance, Ergonomics, and DUI and Alcohol Awareness.

3.      EXECUTION.

a.      Commander’s Intent. My intent is to have all NMCB FIVE, DET CUBA personnel train each other in a classroom setting. The focus of the training session is to impart information that contributes to the personal and professional development of each Seabee and to contribute to the overall readiness of NMCB 5.

b.      Concept of Operations. Training Saturday #2 will occur on 30 September 2006 during normal working hours in building 2155 classroom 1 in the Seabee Compound of Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

i.      30 0245Z September 2006 all personnel will muster on main grinder. Immediately following muster all hands will proceed to building 2155 training classroom #1.

ii.     30 0300Z September 2006 training will commence in the training classroom. First course of instruction shall be DUI and Alcohol Awareness.

iii.30 0400Z September 2006 there shall be a fifteen-minute break in training.
iv.30 0415Z September 2006 second course of instruction, Ergonomics, shall commence.
v.      30 0500Z September 2006 there shall be a fifteen-minute break in training.
vi.30 0515Z September 2006 third course of instruction, SCW First Aid, shall commence. Breaks can be granted as needed during instruction at the instructor’s discretion.

vii.30 0730Z September 2006 all personnel will be transported in government vehicles to Leeward Pont Galley for noon meal.

viii.30 0830Z September 2006 all personnel will return to classroom #1 and fourth course of instruction, Basic Nutrition, will commence.

ix.     30 0915Z September 2006 there shall be a fifteen-minute break in training.
x.      30 0930Z September 2006 fifth course of instruction, SCW Supply and Logistics, will commence.
xi.     30 1045Z September 2006 there shall be a fifteen-minute break in training.
xii.30 1100Z September 2006 sixth course of instruction, FY07 Personal Financial Management: Protecting Your   Belongings with Insurance, will commence.

xiii.30 1230Z September 2006 SCW tests will be administered to all prepared personnel.
xiv.30 1330Z September 2006 end of workday.

c.      Tasks

i.      Detail Safety Officer will develop and deliver course of instruction for ergonomics.
ii.     Detail A3 will deliver instruction for FY07 Financial Management: Protecting Your Belongings With Insurance
iii.Detail ACFL will develop and deliver course of instruction for Basic Nutrition.
iv.Detail Supply Officer will deliver course of instruction for SCW Supply and Logistics.
v.      Detail Combat Lifesaver will deliver course of instruction for SCW First Aid.
vi.Detail DAPA will develop and deliver course of instruction for DUI and Alcohol Awareness.

4.      ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS.

a.      NMCB FIVE, DET CUBA Training Petty Officer will choose instructors for each topic and provide training materials to include audiovisual equipment for Power Point presentations.

b.      Noon meal will take place at the  Leeward Point Galley at 11:30. Transportation will be provided by the command.

c.      Uniform for Training Saturday #2 will be CUU and hardhat.
d.      Training records and rosters will be maintained by the NMCB FIVE, DET CUBA Training Petty Officer.
e.      Personnel in a duty status will be responsible for the clean up of the training classroom.

5.      COMMAND AND SIGNAL.

a.      N/A