SECTION 4

INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED TRAINING PHASE GUIDELINES

2401. General. The intermediate and advanced phases of unit training consist of multi-ship and battle group training after CHOP to the numbered fleet commander and prior to the start of deployment. Emphasis is placed on integrated watch section training in a fully coordinated multi-threat environment. Included is the series of final, predeployment evolutions required of all units. By the end of the advanced phase, each unit should have satisfactorily completed all intermediate/ advanced exercises listed in Appendix A and should be fully ready to deploy in a battle group/amphibious ready group environment, i.e., M-1 in all mission areas.

2402. Guidelines. The overall objective of the intermediate/ advanced phases is to participate in advanced watch team training/tactics and coordinated underway battle group operations, and to complete other inport and underway training evolutions in preparation for deployment. This includes the following major training/training-related events: Inport battle group workup training, fleet exercises (i.e. COMPTUEX, MEFEX, FLEETEX, etc.), integrated SMCM/EOD MCM/AMCM exercises, and inspections and grooms not completed during earlier training phases (e.g., SSRNM, CSRR).

a. If a unit has been graded "unsatisfactory" or "incomplete" in any mission area during basic training, appropriate corrective action must be taken during the intermediate/advanced phases to eliminate the problem or deficiency.

b. An amphibious COMPTUEX will normally be completed before deployment and as a prelude to the amphibious pre-deployment exercise. It is designed to provide multi-ship/marine amphibious training and certification opportunities to increase tactical proficiency and sharpen amphibious skills. The PHIBRON commander may tailor training to the requirements of the ships involved, embarked marines, and any expected deployment contingencies.

c. Squadron Exercises (RONEX) and Gulf of Mexico Exercises (GOMEX) are scheduled quarterly for those mine countermeasures units that have completed the basic training phase, final MIW evaluation, and FEP. The RONEX is conducted during the intermediate training phase and is designed to bring ships who have mastered individual unit MCM disciplines together as a task Force under the MCM Squadron in a tactical exercise scenario, giving the Squadron Commander an opportunity to evaluate their readiness and provide additional training as required. The GOMEX is conducted as a part of the advanced phase and brings air, surface, and underwater MCM units together to focus on integrated MCM operations in preparation for participation with the battle group in major fleet exercises involving complex mine countermeasures operations. MCM Squadron Commanders will tailor the intermediate and advanced phases to the forces involved and will consider the types of scenarios to be encountered in upcoming major fleet exercises and deployments.

d. Ships should practice the warfare commander or warfare coordinator role for which their ship is most suited to:

(1) Provide watchstanders the opportunity to practice advanced level skills.

(2) Discern gaps in watchstander knowledge or skills.

(3) Alert the commanding officer to situations that may not have been considered or anticipated.

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