Wednesday, April 20, 2016

College Station, Texas sailor serves with training group in San Diego

By Navy Office of Community Outreach

SAN DIEGO – A 1998 Tulia High School graduate and College Station, Texas native is serving in the U.S. Navy with Afloat Training Group San Diego.

Senior Chief Russell Treider is a master at arms with the training group operating out of San Diego, California.

A Navy master at arms is responsible for military police and anti-terrorism, protecting bases and sailors.

I enjoy the adventure and excitement this job provides me,” said Treider. “I also like the opportunities to travel the world.

The training group provides dynamic training to Navy and Coast Guard sailors to ensure a combat ready force capable of performing a broad spectrum of missions, according to Navy officials. Special emphasis is placed on preparing ships' training teams, special evolution teams and watch teams to institutionalize the onboard capability to sustain and improve combat readiness throughout an employment cycle.

I like training sailors in the fleet as they prepare to deploy,” said Treider. “I also enjoy being on shore duty, where I can spend more time with my family.”

Afloat Training Group San Diego strives to keep sailors’ warfare expertise sharp by maintaining professional knowledge and skills through a robust training program of installations and factory training, technical symposiums, informal training and self-study. By maintaining a group of subject matters experts in different warfare areas, they prepare ships to be missions ready.

"It’s amazing to hear our sailors’ stories,” said Capt. James Storm, commander of Afloat Training Group San Diego. “Some of them are working on their PhDs and others are working on their first degree. I’ve met sailors who grew up in extreme poverty, and now they own their own home here in Southern California. Serving here at Afloat Training Group is considered a career enhancing tour because these sailors are recognized experts. They lay the foundation for successful deployments.”

According to Navy officials, approximately 355 sailors make up the training group making their jobs highly specialized in order to keep each part of the command running smoothly.

As a member of the Afloat Training Group San Diego, sailors prepare ships to deploy. Treider explained they are building a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes. The trainers know how important it is for the Navy to maintain and uphold war-fighting capabilities to continue their success on the world’s oceans.  

“To me serving in the Navy means answering the call and doing my part,” added Treider. “I play a part in protecting our nation's way of life.”