ARMY WATERCRAFT MASTER PLAN

Watercraft Materiel Master Plan

Vessel piloting and navigation are essential tasks for the safety of the vessel and crew.

Chapter Seven

TRAINING ARMY MARINERS

7-1. PURPOSE. The U. S. Army Transportation School is committed to fielding a trained and ready force of Army mariners. Training the force begins with TRADOC and carries over to the Active and Reserve Component units to which our soldiers are assigned. The high level of skill an Army mariner is expected to attain requires that frequent crew and unit training be performed at sea. Training simulators compliment underway training and are integral to providing a trained and ready force. Simulators familiarize and stress boat crews in performing intricate underway maneuvers during heavy sea conditions. They are critical to ensuring mariners of the power projection Army can perform LOTS and JLOTS operations.

Army watercraft operate as systems within a system. Army LOTS is the most difficult power project mission our mariners will be called upon to perform. Army LOTS integrates landing craft, floating causeway cargo transfer platforms, floating and shipboard cranes, and tug boats into a single ship-to-shore operation. (Tug boats place a ship in an offshore anchorage; floating modular causeways are constructed in the water as RO/RO discharge platforms and beach piers.) Landing craft approach and moor at the RRDF or shipside to receive cargo and transport that cargo to land. All the components or units of an Army LOTS operation must efficiently work together to maximize cargo throughput. For example, the crew of a landing craft must be proficient in approaching and mooring at the RRDF in open sea, the RRDF line handlers prepare the RRDF, and landing craft ramps, drivers drive equipment from the ship onto the RRDF and then onto the landing craft. Similar maneuvers are performed when the landing craft comes alongside the ship and containers are loaded using cranes. All the individual and crew skills needed to perform in a complex Army LOTS operation are attained only through frequent and prolonged periods of practice in training exercises.

The training goal for Army watercraft units is to have a single, highly qualified force ready to deploy anywhere, at any time. Our vessel and organizational collective training will include participation of Army mariners in SEDREs, joint exercises, and AWR-3 downloads. We will tailor planned exercises and actual operations by leveraging them as training opportunities for our soldier mariners. In this manner, we will maintain proficiency in critical skills that cannot be practiced without actual ship-to-shore cargo movement. Active and Reserve Component and joint training will be integrated to the maximum extent possible. Our objective is to have all watercraft units participate in at least one such operation per year.

7-2. CONCEPT OF TRAINING STRATEGY. Marine qualification training must be relevant, realistic, safe, and complete. Training will be progressive and sequential; qualifying soldiers to perform increasingly challenging duties. Training is the key to success in mission accomplishment, force protection, environmental preservation, and maintenance of equipment. The fundamental basis of our training strategy is (1) safety of soldiers, (2) compliance with the standards of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), standards of training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW), and the United States Code (USC), (3) mission capability, and (4) environmental stewardship.

7-3. MARINE QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS. Training of Army mariners is structured to support the Marine Qualification requirements specified in Army Regulation 56-9. Chapter 5 of this regulation describes the dual process of qualification consisting of certification and licensing. Certification verifies that a soldier has knowledge of common marine tasks relating to his Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) at the appropriate skill level. Certification is the product of a Program of Instruction (POI) administered by the proponent school. Licensing is the second part of the qualification process and is accomplished at the unit of assignment. The license verifies that a soldier has the specific skills to properly operate the equipment on the vessel to which he is assigned. To become licensed, a soldier must demonstrate his ability to perform all of the tasks listed in the appropriate Duty Performance Test (DPT) for the crew position to which assigned. This skill demonstration is witnessed by a Marine Standardization Examiner (MSE) who is appointed on unit orders to perform that duty.

7-4. STRUCTURE OF PROGRAMS OF INSTRUCTION. Proponent School Programs of Instruction for enlisted MOS 88K (Watercraft Operator) and 88L (Watercraft Engineer) and officer MOS 880A (Marine Deck Officer) and 881A (Marine Engineering Officer) are intended to impart core knowledge and fundamental skills to the trained soldier. Training goals are (1) successful completion of the appropriate Marine Technical Examination (MTE) and (2) competent operation of marine systems at the given skill level. Courses are intended to provide sufficient understanding of the principles of operation, laws, rules, concepts, safety, and techniques to allow the soldier to advance his competency and skill in a unit training program.

Course content of each POI is reviewed and updated with each class to reflect the most current techniques being used and new equipment fielded. References and training materials used during training are current and reflect that which the soldier would expect to use in actual operation of watercraft.

To the greatest extent feasible, "hands-on" training is on the actual equipment or most realistic simulation available. Instructor personnel are qualified on the equipment or system they are teaching. Because training is conducted on actual equipment, student supervision and risk management is paramount.

A synopsis of the resident course POI is given for each skill level of maritime training. The scope, objectives, and prerequisites are given for each POI.

Marine engineers are responsible for the safe and efficient operation of vessel machinery.

A. Enlisted Marine Engineering Courses.

Watercraft engineers are the technical experts for all engineering systems aboard the vessel. This includes electrical power generation, power distribution, electrical troubleshooting and repair, pipefitting, welding and structural repair, air conditioning and refrigeration, potable water, sewage processing, main propulsion including diesel engines, reduction gears and shafting, and all other services normally taken for granted in a shore environment.

SPECIALTY	MOS: 88L10 Watercraft Engineer
PURPOSE	Provide enlisted personnel with entry-level training on the performance requirements of selected critical tasks related to operation and maintenance of ships’ engines and machinery. Duty positions for which training is provided is engineman aboard all Army vessels.
SCOPE	Marine hydraulic/pneumatic systems, shipboard fire fighting/damage control, drills and survival measures, shipboard sanitation and first aid, miscellaneous technical tasks, high-speed diesel engines, heavy duty diesel engines, marine electric and utility systems, and environmental control systems.
PREREQUISITES	Member of the Active Army or Reserve Component and meet the physical requirements of AR 56-9.

SPECIALTY	MOS: 88L20 Watercraft Engineer
PURPOSE	Train selected personnel to perform 88L20 common watercraft engineer tasks and to successfully complete the MTE.
SCOPE	Marine hydraulics/pneumatics, high-speed diesel engines, heavy duty diesel engines, electrical systems, marine heating/refrigeration, propellers, fuel systems, utility/environmental control, and common technical tasks.
PREREQUISITES	Member of Active Army or Reserve Component with recommendation of Commander. Must be certified 88L10. Prerequisites are not waiverable.

SPECIALTY	MOS: 88L30 Watercraft Engineer (BNCOC Technical Track)
PURPOSE	Train selected personnel to perform common marine engineer tasks, supervise subordinates, and successfully complete the MTE. Complement 88L30 training by building leadership skills, introducing new doctrine, and refresher training in those areas of high learning decay.
SCOPE	Marine hydraulics/pneumatics, shipboard fire fighting and damage control, marine electrical systems, marine heating/refrigeration, utility/environmental control, supervisory responsibility, and common technical tasks. Leadership, military, and professional skills; resource and training management; and training conducted in a structured environment.
PREREQUISITES	Active Army or Reserve Component enlisted personnel. Selected by Personnel Command (PERSCOM) (Active Army) or recommended by Unit Commander (Reserve Component). Qualified in MOS 88L20. Meet requirements outlined in AR 351-1 (Para 5-14). First priority will be given to SSGs and SGT(P)s. Second priority will be given to SSGs and CPL(P)/SPC(P)s who, because of unit shortages, are performing in positions for which the training is designed. All except SSGs must have successfully completed PLDC at least six months prior to attending this course.

SPECIALTY	MOS: 88L40 Watercraft Engineer (ANCOC Technical Track)
PURPOSE	Train selected personnel to perform as Platoon/Control Sergeants and marine/amphibian maintenance supervisors. Become certified to grade by successfully completing the MTE.
SCOPE	Leadership, communication, and common military skills; training management; common engineering tasks; technical inspections; fuel injection; electrical and refrigeration systems; hydraulics; water purification systems; familiarization with EMD; Cummins and Caterpillar engines; and training in first aid including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
PREREQUISITES	Active Army or Reserve Component personnel in Grade E-6 or E-7. Graduate of his/her applicable Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course (BNCOC). Must be selected by a Department of the Army ANCOC selection board.

Watercraft operators are responsible for the safe operation of vessels.

B. Enlisted Deck Operations Courses.

Watercraft operators are the technical experts for all vessel operations to include communications, navigation, vessel administration, deck seamanship, towing, deck maintenance, and other tasks pertaining to the operation of ships in international waters.

SPECIALTY	MOS: 88K10 Watercraft Operator
PURPOSE	Provide enlisted personnel with entry-level training on the performance requirements of selected critical tasks related to operation, navigation, and maintenance of Army watercraft. Duty positions for which training is provided is watercraft operator aboard all Army vessels.
SCOPE	Identification of ship’s structure, communications, emergency and lifesaving procedures, marlinespike seamanship, vessel operations, vessel administrative duties, vessel maintenance, fire fighting, and watch standing.
PREREQUISITES	Member of the Active Army or the Reserve Component and meet the physical requirements of AR 56-9.

SPECIALTY	MOS: 88K20 Watercraft Operator
PURPOSE	Train selected personnel to perform 88K20 common marine tasks and to successfully complete the MTE.
SCOPE	Passenger movements, fire fighting/damage control, marlinespike seamanship, vessel administration, leadership, navigation and quartermaster duties, vessel handling and seamanship, marine deck operations, and maritime regulations.
PREREQUISITES	Member of Active Army or Reserve Component with recommendation of Commander. Must be certified 88Kl0.

SPECIALTY	MOS: 88K30 Watercraft Operator (BNCOC Technical Track)
PURPOSE	Train selected personnel to perform 88K30 common marine tasks, supervise subordinates, and to successfully complete the MTE. Complement 88K30 training by building leadership skills, introducing new doctrine and refreshment in those areas of high learning decay.
SCOPE	Fire fighting/damage control, marine cargo operations, marlinespike seamanship, rigging of tows, vessel administration and leadership, navigation and quartermaster duties, marine deck operations, maritime regulations, and shipboard sanitation. Leadership, military, and professional skills; resource and training management, and training conducted in a structured environment.
PREREQUISITES	Active Army or Reserve Component enlisted personnel. Selected by PERSCOM (Active Army) or recommended by Unit Commander (Reserve Component). Qualified in MOS 88K20. Meet requirements outlined in AR 351-1 (Para 5-14). First priority will be given to SSGs and SGT(P)s. Second priority will be given to SSGs and CPL(P)/SPC(P)s who, because of unit shortages, are performing in positions for which the training is designed. All except SSGs must have successfully completed PLDC at least six months prior to attending this course.

SPECIALTY	MOS: 88K40 Watercraft Operator (ANCOC Technical Track)
PURPOSE	Train selected personnel to perform as Platoon/Control Sergeants and Watercraft NCOs (Mates) and to become certified to grade by successfully completing the MTE and the Marine Radar Observer Examination.
SCOPE	Leadership, communications, and common military skills; training management; vessel administration; shipboard emergencies; deck seamanship; marine communications; piloting; ship handling; and collision avoidance radar navigation.
PREREQUISITES	Active Army or Reserve Component Personnel in Grade E-6 or E-7. Graduate of his/her applicable BNCOC. Must be selected by a Department of the Army ANCOC Selection Board.

SPECIALTY	Marine Radar Observer
PURPOSE	Provide selected marine personnel with a working knowledge of the fundamentals, operation, and use of marine radar as an anticollision device. Upon successful completion, the student will be issued a U.S. Coast Guard approved Marine Radar Observer Certificate. MOS for which trained: None.
SCOPE	Radar theory and operation, government policy pertaining to radar, and radar plotting of single and multiple targets for determining true course and speed of targets and evasive action of observer’s vessel to avoid collision.
PREREQUISITES	Active Army and Reserve Component personnel to qualify for Warrant Officer MOS 880A1 (Marine Deck Officer); certified enlisted MOS 88K40 (Mate); and appropriately certified enlisted operators assigned to radar equipped watercraft. Personnel from other services and U.S. government civilians assigned or pending assignment to positions requiring certification as radar observer may be accepted. Applicants for renewal of the radar observer certification may be accepted for attendance more than once.

Engineering records are kept on vessel machinery operation.

C. Warrant Officer Engineer Courses.

The Marine Engineering Officer is directly responsible to the Vessel Master for the safe and efficient operation of the engineering department. He is the subject matter expert for all engineering systems aboard the vessel.

SPECIALTY	MOS: 881A1, Marine Engineering Officer
PURPOSE	Train Warrant Officers, approved for MOS 881A, to perform as Chief or Assistant Chief Engineer aboard Army watercraft and to successfully meet the academic and vessel-specific requirements for the U.S. Army Marine License annotated: Chief Engineer of Class A1 Motor Vessels; Assistant Engineer of Class A-2 Unlimited Motor Vessels.
SCOPE	General marine subjects; supply procedures; repair parts; maintenance management; marine engineering principles and practices; marine refrigeration, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning; marine sanitation; marine auxiliary equipment maintenance and repair; high speed and main two- and four-stroke cycle marine diesel propulsion engines and drive reduction gear; boilers; alternating and direct current marine electrical generation and distribution systems; marine hydraulics; and marine electric and hydraulic steering and thruster control systems for academic certification and vessel-specific licensing.
PREREQUISITES	Active Army and Reserve Component Warrant Officers. Graduates of the Warrant Officer Candidate School. Must meet mandatory prerequisites for MOS 881A as established by the current DA Warrant Officer Procurement Circular.


SPECIALTYPURPOSE	Train selected Marine Engineering Officers to perform as Chief Engineer, operating, maintaining and repairing engineering systems aboard Army watercraft in open ocean waters for towing, salvage, and resupply operations; and successfully complete the academic requirements for U.S. Army Marine Certification as: Chief Engineer of Class A2 Unlimited Motor Vessels upon Oceans.
SCOPE	Proponent common subjects: Ship’s business, medicine, fire prevention/control, marine casualty reporting, beach and port evaluation, terms and classifications, damage control, repair specifications, direct support, repair parts, and mechanized stock control. MOS specific subjects: Troubleshooting and repair of high-and low-speed diesel engines and governors; safety; fuel injection; ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration; hydraulic systems; engineering mathematics; mechanical drawing; hull repair; generators, motors, switchboards and transformer, electrical systems; and test equipment; culminating in an end-of-course comprehensive examination and marine certification and vessel-specific training for marine licensing.
PREREQUISITES	Active Army or Reserve Component Marine Engineering Officer with 3 years of marine Warrant Officer service in MOS 88lAl and meet the general requirements described in AR 56-9. Active service obligation after completion of course: Active Army Warrant Officers, 360 days; RC Warrant Officer, None.

D. Warrant Officer Deck Operations Courses.

Marine Deck Officers are responsible and accountable for all operations conducted on or with their vessel. Responsible for the command and control of the vessel in open and restricted waters in accordance with local and international laws. The Vessel Master is the ultimate decision authority on his vessel while underway.

SPECIALTY	MOS: 880A1 Marine Deck Officer
PURPOSE	Train Warrant Officers to command, operate, and maintain Army watercraft in inland, coastal, and open waters for resupply, amphibious, towing, and salvage operations. Successfully meet the academic and vessel-specific requirements for U.S. Army Marine License annotated: Master of Class A-1 Motor Vessels upon Coastal and Inland Waters; Mate of Class A2 Unlimited Motor Vessels upon Oceans; Radar Observer.
SCOPE	General marine subjects, rules of the road, piloting and shipboard operations, electronics, open water navigation for marine certification, and vessel-specific training for marine licensing.
PREREQUISITES	Active Army and Reserve Component Warrant Officers, Graduates of an approved Warrant Officer Candidate School. Must be approved for MOS 880A1 and meet the prerequisites established by the current DA Warrant Officer Procurement Circular.

SPECIALTY	MOS: 880A2 Marine Deck Officer
PURPOSE	Train selected Marine Deck Officers to command, operate, and maintain Army watercraft in support of worldwide Army logistic operations. Successfully complete the academic requirements for U.S. Army Marine Certification as: Master of Class A2 Unlimited Motor Vessels upon Oceans; Radar Observer.
SCOPE	Computer literacy, military writing, military briefing, unit status reports, CPR and first aid, confined space entry, medicine, voyage planning, harbor pilot, cargo operations, stability, nautical math, meteorology, adjusting the magnetic compass, marine sextant erections, dead reckoning, ocean winds and currents, mercator sailing, great circle sailing, electronic and celestial navigation, marine radar and radar collision avoidance, radar piloting, LORAN, NAVSAT/global positioning system (GPS), navigation rules, radio communications, towing, towing gear, tugboat design and equipment, tow preparation and makeups, emergency towing, shiphandling, navigational astronomy, time, nautical almanac, sight reduction tables, celestial LOP, sun azimuth and amplitude, star identification, latitude by celestial observation, celestial fixes, piloting/celestial field training exercise (FTX) voyage, culminating with an end-of-course comprehensive examination, and vessel-specific training for marine licensing.
PREREQUISITES	Active Army or Reserve Component Marine Deck Officer with 3 years of Marine Warrant Officer service in MOS 880Al and meets the general requirements described in AR 56-9. Active service obligation after completion of course: Active Army Warrant Officers, 360 days; RC Warrant Officer, None.

7-5. RESOURCING PROPONENT SCHOOL TRAINING. When new watercraft systems, components or equipment are developed and fielded or authorized for use, a determination must be made by the Training Developer as to where and how training will be accomplished for that new item. When the Combat Developer writes an ORD, the training resource requirements must be included in that document. These training resources may include actual systems; subsystems; or simulors for engines, pumps, motors, and CEN equipment. When it is determined by the proponent school that simulation or mock-up equipment is preferred for safe economical training, then that requirement will be included in the ORD.

7-6. UNIT TRAINING PROGRAMS. Organizational units that have watercraft assigned must have a viable training program that builds upon the institutional training program.

Organizational training focuses on collective crew tasks and re-enforces the integrity of the crew working together as a team. In order for this training effort to be effective and safe, the assigned crew routinely trains and drills together and the commander makes every effort to avoid training distracters or taskings that fragment the crew or divert from the training plan. The unit training plan is developed by the senior qualified members of the unit and includes individual skill tasks, crew tasks, and multiple vessel tasks where applicable. MSEs are appointed on unit orders IAW AR 56-9. The MSE will administer the DPT IAW the policies of the Marine Qualification Division (MQD) of the Office of the Chief of Transportation (OCOT). The MSEs are the final "quality control" of the entire marine qualification process. Soldiers selected for appointment as MSEs must have the commander’s trust and candidly advise him on the qualifications of unit members who are assigned to vessels. The ultimate quality of the Army marine training and qualification program is dependent upon the diligence with which the unit commander plans, resources, supports, and emphasizes both individual and crew training.

7-7. SUMMARY. Maintaining skilled and highly capable crews for Army watercraft requires a total commitment to training. This commitment must include funding resources to provide the training aids and simulators necessary for use by instructors in the Transportation School and funding to allow operators to practice their skills in an operational environment. Continued review of POIs, development of improved training methods, use of new technology and continued execution of SEDREs, JLOTS exercises, and other unit training missions will ensure a trained, proficient staff of Army mariners.