USA: NSTC Makes Sure Navy Personnel Receive SAPR-F and L Training

Naval Service Training Command (NSTC) is coordinating with 98 percent of the Navy’s initial accessions of officer and enlisted men and women to complete the Chief of Naval Operations-mandated Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Fleet and Leadership (F and L) Training by March 31.

NSTC is focused on ensuring that thousands of Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) midshipmen, Sailors and Marines at more than 150 colleges and universities around the country, officer candidates at Officer Training Command Newport, R.I., and recruits at the Navy’s only boot camp, Recruit Training Command (RTC) Great Lakes, receive SAPR-F and L training.

 “It’s our responsibility (NSTC headquarters) to make sure that training is made available. The leaders have been trained who are going to present it (SAPR-F),” said Cmdr. Aquilla Causey, NSTC’s N3 Operations officer and coordinator for the command’s SAPR training. “This is a very big job, especially the tracking of the training within our domain. We’ve been getting outstanding cooperation from all our programs, have already completed the training of our trainers and are well into the training of our recruits, midshipmen and officer candidates.”

The SAPR-F training is the latest in the Navy’s aggressive efforts to prevent sexual assaults and promote essential culture changes within the force.

 “Conducting this training at every command is absolutely vital to eliminating the crime of sexual assault in our Navy,” said Capt. Vernon Kemper, OTC’s commanding officer. “It is especially important here at Officer Training Command and every year we provide the initial training and mentorship to almost 65 percent of the Navy’s newly commissioned officers – officers who will be leading Sailors in the fleet tomorrow. I tell each of these future leaders that I expect them to go out to their first assignments and lead the positive change we need to remove sexual assault from our Navy.”

There are 20 SAPR-F Master Mobile Training Teams (MMTTs) that began deploying around the globe Dec. 6, 2012, and have provided SAPR-F Preparation Training to designated mid-level leadership command training teams in fleet concentration areas and locations with significant Navy presence. These command training teams have then been delivering the SAPR-F training to their E-6 and below personnel.

 “For units that are not close to an MMTT or are unable to make it to a training session, the training has also been posted to Navy Knowledge Online and it is also available through Defense Connect Online (DCO),” said Causey.

 Capt. Joseph Bauknecht, University of Marquette NROTC commanding officer, said:

“NROTC Marquette has stepped off smartly in compliance with the training. Our SAPR coordinator and senior enlisted recently completed the teleconference training via Defense Connect Online and are prepared to lead the underclassmen in this discussion.”

Bauknecht and members of his staff also attended SAPR-L training at Naval Station Great Lakes, earlier this year.

 “I am eager for myself and my staff to provide this training so that our midshipmen are best prepared when they enter the fleet. Sexual assault is a significant issue in today’s Navy and Marine Corps, and their ability to prevent or respond to any such incidents as leaders will make them valuable contributors to our operational team,” Bauknecht said.

The SAPR training is introduced by a member of the command triad (CO, XO, CMC) and facilitated by a team composed of one mid-grade officer, one chief petty officer, an observer who is a victim advocate (VA), Sexual Assault Resource Center representative, medical professional or chaplain.

 “Our unit is filled with young cadets still honing their leadership styles and decision making skills. It’s imperative that we continue to teach our Sailors how to get ‘in front’ of the problem so we can stop sexual assault before it even starts,” said Capt. Herbert M. Hadley, Jacksonville University NROTC commanding officer. “The SAPR-F training further cements, in their heads, the need to not only act responsibly but ensure others are doing so as well.”

Sexual assault prevention is an important element of the readiness area of the 21st Century Sailor and Marine initiative, which builds resiliency to hone the most combat-effective force in the history of the Department of the Navy.

NSTC oversees all initial officer and enlisted accessions training for the Navy, with the exception of the officers produced by the U.S. Naval Academy. This training includes the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps program at more than 150 colleges and universities that either host NROTC units or have cross-town enrollment agreements with a host university. NSTC also oversees Officer Training Command in Newport, R.I., Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes, Ill., as well as the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps citizenship development program at more than 580 high schools worldwide.

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Naval Today Staff, February 19, 2013; Image: NSTC