Top nuke officer details training backlog

[unhappycamper]

Top nuke officer details training backlog
By Andrew Scutro - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Oct 30, 2009 5:41:16 EDT

MCLEAN, Va. — There’s a kink in the nuclear propulsion training pipeline that is keeping new operators from flowing to the fleet, according to Adm. Kirkland Donald, head of the Navy’s nuclear propulsion program.

Speaking Wednesday at the annual Naval Submarine League symposium, the admiral said his biggest training challenge is pumping nuclear-trained sailors onto subs and aircraft carriers because the Navy’s four training reactors are “aging” and in need of replacement.

“The end result right now today is we have a backlog of students waiting to complete their training and as a consequence, a diminished throughput of operators to the fleet,” he said.

The Navy operates two training reactors in upstate New York and two in Charleston, S.C.

In his comments, Donald had high praise for the undersea fleet, noting that its services are in high demand by combatant commanders, keeping submariners “exceptionally busy.”


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2009/10/navy_reactor_training_102909w/