On Feb. 4, the inaugural group of 22 sailors graduated from a new month long indoctrination course taught at Naval Station Everett. The program, implemented by Naval Station Everett Commanding Officer, Capt. Eddie Gardiner, is designed to improve readiness and training, while ensuring new arrivals receive a comprehensive introduction to both the station and local community.

“We did everything, from uniform inspections to reciting the General Orders and Sailor’s Creed, to Career Development boards with Chiefs and Senior Chiefs,” said BMSN Chad Owsley, a member of the first class to go through the expanded training. “Plus we received lectures and visits to every department on base, and we toured the community. I definitely know a lot more now than I did before,”

The goal of the new “Indoc” course is simple:

“It’s about taking care of our sailors,” said Gardiner, who started similar programs at commands in Guam and Sardinia. “If you want to improve command climate and unit cohesion, one of the best steps is to establish a base Training Department. Then look for a senior enlisted leader who has a fire in the belly to take care of our sailors to run the show.”

That new Training Officer is Senior Chief Damage Controlman (SW) Edwin Belk. Taking basic guidelines and vision from the commanding officer, he and four first class petty officers set up a new department and developed a training program in only four weeks. Belk also infused his own values into the scheduled training.

“When I attended the Senior Enlisted Academy, we recited the Sailor’s Creed every morning. If it’s important enough for E-8s and E-9s to say every day, then it’s important to all of our Sailors here in Everett.”

Indoc instructors conducted frequent uniform inspections, and held daily discussion groups on military bearing.

“It was a little like boot camp,” Owsley observed, “but still fun.”

The new schedule focuses on training, personal and professional development, sponsorship and mentoring, and an introduction to the Naval Station and the Pacific Northwest.

“We spent a lot of time working with NKO (Navy Knowledge Online),” Seaman Nicole Torres said, referring to the new Navy-wide training website. “They told us over and over that it’s the future of all Navy training and soon our advancement will be on NKO as well.”

Indoc students were introduced to the watchstanding system at NAVSTA Everett, including qualifications standards for each position and received extensive familiarization of all buildings and facilities on the base.

The station’s sponsorship program was also revamped.

“The challenge for us is to provide an experience that combines the knowledge of the Indoc instructors with an active mentor at the Sailor’s department. That way we get the best of both worlds - the expertise of the training department’s ‘professional checker-inners’ is added together with a mentor at the sailor’s workcenter,” said Indoc instructor Machinist Mate First Class Wayne McCray.

Senior enlisted leaders from the station also met with each student at a career development board to discuss their future plans. All Sailors received an academic skills test from the Navy College Office, and briefings on the importance of education in military and civilian careers.

Each week of instruction ended with a tour of the local community.

“Coming from overseas, I was completely new to the area, and I appreciated the four tours we went on. I learned a lot about this area that I would never have known,” Master-at-Arms Third Class Cassandra Alameda said.

Sailors visited Naval Radio Station (T) Jim Creek’s recreational facilities, toured Snohomish County under the guidance of the Visitor’s Bureau, and drove a portion of the Cascade Loop scenic highway.

“All of these things in our new Indoc program are going to start showing big results.” Belk said. “In their month at the training department, our people become experts on the base, they get their watchstanding qualifications, and they have taken care of all of their personal moving chores.

“By the time they reach their departments, these Sailors are ready to hit the ground running,” he said. “With this program, we’re taking some extra time to prepare our Sailors for the future, because one day they’ll be running the Navy.”