By CDR Junhow Chang, CNAF, and the NAE Communications Action Team

Marine Aircraft Group 39 (MAG-39) and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 39 (MALS-39) were the latest recipients of the Naval Aviation Enterprise (NAE) Basic Overview course taught at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton on June 27. The course was taught in advance of the Boots-on-the-Ground event scheduled for August 9-10 at Camp Pendleton. Participants included Col. Patrick Gough, CO MAG-39, Lt. Col. Dan Snyder, CO MALS-39, and representatives from the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM).

NAE University is working to close the knowledge gap by providing both instructor-led and computer-based training courses available on Navy Knowledge Online (NKO). The purpose of the Basic Overview course is to raise awareness and provide an orientation and basic understanding of the Enterprise. “As the NAE evolves and expands its reach and scope, education and training become important as Naval Aviation transforms the way it does business.” So stated CAPT Ken Ireland, Executive Assistant to the Commander, Naval Air Forces for NAE.

“It’s important for Marine Aviation to understand the Naval Aviation Enterprise and integrate its operational and logistic management doctrine and tools into our missions,” said Lt. Col. Snyder. “We must work with these Enterprise tools so that they support our operational requirements. A full understanding of the NAE is especially important for Marines who will work in acquisition and logistics, because all of Marine Aviation's procurement and logistical support comes to us from NAVAIR, NAVICP, DLA and OPNAV funding sources—all of which are NAE stakeholders.”

The Camp Pendleton training session broke new ground in NAE training. In addition to teaching to a multi-service audience, course topics covered the Naval Aviation Readiness Integrated Improvement Program (NAVRIIP), Process Value Management tools and AIRSpeed methodology for continuous process improvement. New topics covered were overviews of Strategic Cost Management, Carrier Readiness, and Acquisition & Life Cycle Support. Unlike previous sessions, instructor-led sessions were taught by a military team of instructors assigned to the NAE Mobile Training Team (MTT).

“Having organic instructors allows the Enterprise to become self-sustaining and institutionalizes continuity in training, just like any other Navy course,” commented Ireland. “Our eventual goal is to house all NAE curriculum in an existing schoolhouse. Having an MTT with Navy instructors is one step towards that goal.” Several of the instructors are senior Selected Reserve officers, hand-picked due to their functional experience and expertise in such topics as Earned Value Management and AIRSpeed methodology. Based on the success of this method, future instructor-led sessions are planned to precede both Boots-on-the-Ground (ashore) and Boots-on-the-Deck (afloat) events.

The objective of NAE University is to incorporate Enterprise process-oriented thinking and toolsets into the training track and career continuum of all enlisted, officer and civilian work force personnel, billets and positions. A cross-functional team, sponsored by RDML Shannon, Director of NAE Total Force Readiness, and co-led by CNAF and NAVAIR, includes representatives from CNATT, NETC’s 5 Vector Model and Thomas Group, Inc.

For more information on NAE University, click on http://www.cnaf.navy.mil/nae/main.asp?ItemID=588 or contact [email protected] .