The US Navy’s General Military Training (GMT) schedule for fiscal year 2015 (FY-15), announced Sept. 2, outlines significant changes for the program, according to Naval Administrative Message (NAVADMIN) 202/14.
“We listened to what the fleet had to say and what command leaders recommended, and as a result the Navy is giving command triads greater flexibility and more say in how their individual commands deliver GMT topics,” said Capt. Ferdinand Reid, commanding officer of the Center for Personal and Professional Development, which administers the GMT program.
The feedback came from a variety of levels throughout the Navy and was provided to the Navy’s Flag/Senior Executive Planning Board for Training, with input from U.S. Fleet Forces Command, as well as numerous others, according to the message. The outcome of this coordination was the consolidation of several training topics into fewer lessons and eliminating anger management as a topic altogether.
Another significant change is command leaders will have the option of what subjects to deliver that satisfy the personal financial management (PFM) GMT requirement.
“This allows commanders to best meet the needs of their command by tailoring the training to their Sailors’ knowledge level and requirements,” said Reid.
The NAVADMIN also lists required training for FY-15, provides updated guidance for unit commanders regarding which lessons must be delivered face to face, and gives discretion on how some lessons are delivered to Sailors in their commands.
“All the required lessons are listed on the Navy Knowledge Online (NKO) GMT page along with the standardized training materials. Content is also available on Navy eLearning for certain topics that aren’t required to be delivered in face to face sessions,” said Reid.
GMT is an opportunity for command leaders to have targeted, meaningful conversations with their Sailors about character, integrity and professionalism using the GMT content as their road map, he said.
In keeping with guidance that supports the Navy’s efforts of reducing administrative distractions to eliminate administrative burdens on the fleet, FY-15 GMT topics are divided into two categories.
Category one training must be conducted as face to face sessions led by facilitators at the command level. Commands are directed to use senior leadership, such as chief petty officers and command training team members, to deliver this category of training.
FY-15 training topics in category one include Equal Opportunity; Hazing Policy and Prevention; Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Awareness; and Suicide Awareness and Prevention.
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