by Naval Education and Training Command Public Affairs

NAVAL STATION GREAT LAKES, Ill. – A 2014 Phillis Wheatley High School graduate and Houston 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 Dave Booker 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.

“I received a lot of information within my time in the pilot course,” said Booker. “My biggest achievement was the Voyage Management System qualification. This will help me be successful because while others will be spending time getting the qualification I can focus on getting other qualifications.”

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.”

Booker enlisted in the Navy in 2018 and will report next to Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53) homeported at San Diego.

“I joined the Navy for the opportunity to be a part of an elite team and to be a part of something bigger,” said Booker. “I chose to be an OS because I wanted to have a very important job in the fleet. It is an honor to be in the Navy working with my shipmates. I feel I can greatly contribute to the mission as an OS.”

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.

Booker is the son of Mishelle Evans, who resides in Houston.

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.