NAVAL STATION GREAT LAKES, Ill. – A 2018 Serrano High School graduate and Hisperia, California, native is currently serving with the U.S. Navy as an operations specialist (OS), prepared to perform duties at sea as a plotter, radio-telephone and Command and Control sound-powered telephone talker, and to maintain Combat Information Center displays of strategic and tactical information.
Operations Specialist Seaman Recruit Nicholas Torgrude completed the OS “A” School, or initial training course after boot camp, May 24. This particular course was a pilot, or test, for a revamped curriculum under the Ready, Relevant Learning (RRL) initiative as part of Sailor 2025, which is the Navy's program to more effectively recruit, develop, manage, reward and retain the force of tomorrow.
“This course allowed me to become certified in the Voyage Management System and also sets a mind set to be ready to support their country, ships and fellow Sailors,” said Torgrude. “The certification allows me to go to my command ready and prepared to help sail safely.”
The OS rating is the first rating to be taught using the modernized delivery under the RRL construct, providing the right training at the right time in the right way to Sailors. The former OS “A” School was primarily conducted by instructors leading students through computer-based training modules and was dependent on a brick-and-mortar schoolhouse. Modernized OS training, however, is enhanced with interactive self-directed courseware, game-based virtual simulation software, demonstration videos and step-by step guides.
“The modernized OS ‘A’ School will reduce instructor-led training time by approximately 70% over the previous format and infuse more interactive training for students,” said Rear Adm. Kyle Cozad, Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) commander. “These improvements allow for a more flexible and immersive learning experience than traditional instructor-led training from the podium while supporting multiple ‘reps and sets’ of critical concepts.”
Torgrude enlisted in the Navy in 2018 and will report next to Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) homeported at Norfolk, Virginia.
“Joining the Navy allows me to protect and serve my country," said Torgrude. We also protect other countries and show that America should not be seen as a country that triumphs over all countries, but should be seen as a helper, supporter and guardian. I chose the OS rating because we help coordinate all operations with all types of people and support all other types of ships. This would allow me to learn how I can help others coordinate operations and help save lives, and prevent accidents.”
About 8,000 men and women work in the OS rating. These Sailors provide technical information and assistance related to anti-surface warfare, anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, amphibious warfare, mine warfare, naval gunfire support, search and rescue operations, and more.
Torgrude is the son of Ian Torgrude, who resides in Oak Hills, California.
NETC oversees the Navy’s recruiting force, boot camp, officer development and training programs, enlisted technical training, civilian credentialing and voluntary education opportunities, the Navy Advancement Center, and international training programs.
For more information on NETC, visit https://www.public.navy.mil/netc or follow NETC on Facebook at www.facebook.com/netcpao.
“This course allowed me to become certified in the Voyage Management System and also sets a mind set to be ready to support their country, ships and fellow Sailors,” said Torgrude. “The certification allows me to go to my command ready and prepared to help sail safely.”
The OS rating is the first rating to be taught using the modernized delivery under the RRL construct, providing the right training at the right time in the right way to Sailors. The former OS “A” School was primarily conducted by instructors leading students through computer-based training modules and was dependent on a brick-and-mortar schoolhouse. Modernized OS training, however, is enhanced with interactive self-directed courseware, game-based virtual simulation software, demonstration videos and step-by step guides.
“The modernized OS ‘A’ School will reduce instructor-led training time by approximately 70% over the previous format and infuse more interactive training for students,” said Rear Adm. Kyle Cozad, Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) commander. “These improvements allow for a more flexible and immersive learning experience than traditional instructor-led training from the podium while supporting multiple ‘reps and sets’ of critical concepts.”
Torgrude enlisted in the Navy in 2018 and will report next to Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) homeported at Norfolk, Virginia.
“Joining the Navy allows me to protect and serve my country," said Torgrude. We also protect other countries and show that America should not be seen as a country that triumphs over all countries, but should be seen as a helper, supporter and guardian. I chose the OS rating because we help coordinate all operations with all types of people and support all other types of ships. This would allow me to learn how I can help others coordinate operations and help save lives, and prevent accidents.”
About 8,000 men and women work in the OS rating. These Sailors provide technical information and assistance related to anti-surface warfare, anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, amphibious warfare, mine warfare, naval gunfire support, search and rescue operations, and more.
Torgrude is the son of Ian Torgrude, who resides in Oak Hills, California.
NETC oversees the Navy’s recruiting force, boot camp, officer development and training programs, enlisted technical training, civilian credentialing and voluntary education opportunities, the Navy Advancement Center, and international training programs.
For more information on NETC, visit https://www.public.navy.mil/netc or follow NETC on Facebook at www.facebook.com/netcpao.