Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tim Miller
SAN DIEGO – Lt. Daniel Walker, a native of Gales Ferry, Connecticut, joined the Navy to seek out a viable career path to pay for college.
"It was a challenge and a goal worth pursuing," said Ferry.
Now, seven years later, Walker is stationed with the Center for Surface Combat Systems (CSCS) San Diego, which trains sailors in the operation and maintenance of shipboard weapons and sensors.
“The training we implement at Det San Diego is an example of how Ready, Relevant Learning is shaping a more capable and lethal force,” explained Capt. Dave Stoner, CSCS commanding officer. “Through innovative solutions, such as our Combined Integrated Air and Missile Defense and Anti-Submarine Warfare Trainer, known as CIAT and our newest, mobile combat simulator, the On Demand Trainer, we are moving away from the traditional instructor-led training at the podium and creating an immersive learning environment facilitated by an instructor that improves individual performance and in turn, shaping confident and competent sailors who know how to fight and win. To be victorious in our next fight, sailors must know how to extract every bit of warfighting capability resident in our ships.”
Walker, a 2008 graduate of Ledyard High School, is a surface warfare officer at the training center located in San Diego. Walker graduated from the University of Texas in 2012 with a degree in chemical engineering.
“I train ship teams about hunting submarines,” said Walker. "This includes torpedoes, vertical launching systems and sonar. I like running scenarios, which is like a high-end video game with real-world consequences.”
According to Walker, the values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Gales Ferry.
“Growing up in southeastern Connecticut, most people worked on subs with the Navy or built subs with Electric Boat,” said Walker. "So, I got used to the importance of hard work."
With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.
CSCS is a global organization of professional military and civilian educators and support personnel focused on training the Surface Navy to fight and win. CSCS trains over 36,000 U.S. and allied sailors a year to operate, maintain and employ weapons, sensors, communications, combat systems and deck equipment of surface warships to build Combat Ready Ships with Battle Minded Crews.
CSCS provides more than 538 courses, awards 114 different Navy Enlisted Classifications (NECs), and trains more 38,000 sailors a year. The command’s mission is to develop and deliver combat systems training to achieve surface warfare superiority.
According to Admiral Mike Gilday, the Chief of Naval Operations, the focus of today’s Navy is squarely on warfighting, warfighters and the capabilities needed for the Navy of the future.
“I am confident we will maximize the Navy we have today while delivering the Navy that our nation will rely upon tomorrow,” said Gilday. “And we will do so with urgency. Our fleet will be a potent, formidable force that competes around the world every day, deterring those who would challenge us while reassuring our allies and partners.”
There are many opportunities for sailors to earn recognition in their command, community and careers. Walker is most proud of overhauling the shipboard training to match the most updated systems.
“We completed this multi-year effort to ensure the ships have the trained crews they need to deploy,” said Walker.
For Walker, serving in the Navy is a tradition passed down from generations and one Walker hopes to continue.
“My dad was a submarine officer,” said Walker. “When I call home it's cool to talk with someone who speaks the language. My family made sure I knew this was a reasonable career option."
As a member of the U.S. Navy, Walker, as well as other sailors, know they are a part of a service tradition providing unforgettable experiences through leadership development, world affairs and humanitarian assistance. Their efforts will have a lasting effect around the globe and for generations of sailors who will follow.
“Serving in the Navy means I can use the skillsets I've developed to keep my sailors out of harm’s way,” said Walker. "At this point in my career, I want to do whatever it takes to keep others safe."
Now, seven years later, Walker is stationed with the Center for Surface Combat Systems (CSCS) San Diego, which trains sailors in the operation and maintenance of shipboard weapons and sensors.
“The training we implement at Det San Diego is an example of how Ready, Relevant Learning is shaping a more capable and lethal force,” explained Capt. Dave Stoner, CSCS commanding officer. “Through innovative solutions, such as our Combined Integrated Air and Missile Defense and Anti-Submarine Warfare Trainer, known as CIAT and our newest, mobile combat simulator, the On Demand Trainer, we are moving away from the traditional instructor-led training at the podium and creating an immersive learning environment facilitated by an instructor that improves individual performance and in turn, shaping confident and competent sailors who know how to fight and win. To be victorious in our next fight, sailors must know how to extract every bit of warfighting capability resident in our ships.”
Walker, a 2008 graduate of Ledyard High School, is a surface warfare officer at the training center located in San Diego. Walker graduated from the University of Texas in 2012 with a degree in chemical engineering.
“I train ship teams about hunting submarines,” said Walker. "This includes torpedoes, vertical launching systems and sonar. I like running scenarios, which is like a high-end video game with real-world consequences.”
According to Walker, the values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Gales Ferry.
“Growing up in southeastern Connecticut, most people worked on subs with the Navy or built subs with Electric Boat,” said Walker. "So, I got used to the importance of hard work."
With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.
CSCS is a global organization of professional military and civilian educators and support personnel focused on training the Surface Navy to fight and win. CSCS trains over 36,000 U.S. and allied sailors a year to operate, maintain and employ weapons, sensors, communications, combat systems and deck equipment of surface warships to build Combat Ready Ships with Battle Minded Crews.
CSCS provides more than 538 courses, awards 114 different Navy Enlisted Classifications (NECs), and trains more 38,000 sailors a year. The command’s mission is to develop and deliver combat systems training to achieve surface warfare superiority.
According to Admiral Mike Gilday, the Chief of Naval Operations, the focus of today’s Navy is squarely on warfighting, warfighters and the capabilities needed for the Navy of the future.
“I am confident we will maximize the Navy we have today while delivering the Navy that our nation will rely upon tomorrow,” said Gilday. “And we will do so with urgency. Our fleet will be a potent, formidable force that competes around the world every day, deterring those who would challenge us while reassuring our allies and partners.”
There are many opportunities for sailors to earn recognition in their command, community and careers. Walker is most proud of overhauling the shipboard training to match the most updated systems.
“We completed this multi-year effort to ensure the ships have the trained crews they need to deploy,” said Walker.
For Walker, serving in the Navy is a tradition passed down from generations and one Walker hopes to continue.
“My dad was a submarine officer,” said Walker. “When I call home it's cool to talk with someone who speaks the language. My family made sure I knew this was a reasonable career option."
As a member of the U.S. Navy, Walker, as well as other sailors, know they are a part of a service tradition providing unforgettable experiences through leadership development, world affairs and humanitarian assistance. Their efforts will have a lasting effect around the globe and for generations of sailors who will follow.
“Serving in the Navy means I can use the skillsets I've developed to keep my sailors out of harm’s way,” said Walker. "At this point in my career, I want to do whatever it takes to keep others safe."