5 Vector Model for Submariners Focuses on Tracking Qualifications

Since 06-24-04

From NSL UPDATE 03-30-2004

 5 Vector Model for Submariners Focuses on Tracking Qualifications
By Journalist Seaman Andrew Zask, Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The 5 Vector Model (5VM) is a symbol at the core of every Sailor's personal and professional development. And in spring 2004, it will be available for submarine ratings. 5VM is a powerful piece of software which will allow Sailors to keep track of their careers in the Navy and take credit for their accomplishments. Available at Navy Knowledge Online (www.nko.navy.mil), 5VM is customized to match each Sailor's rating, pay grade and past accomplishments. 5VM breaks down the skills and knowledge that Sailors need to be successful into five categories: professional development, personal development, military education and leadership, certifications and qualifications, and performance.

The 5VM is the brainchild of the Navy's Task Force for Excellence through Education and Learning (EXCEL). Task Force EXCEL has been the catalyst for the Navy's Revolution in Training. According to Submarine Learning Center Command Master Chief (SS) Peter J. Berns, "Each 5VM is based on an enlisted rating and is specifically engineered to the individual."

Berns said the 5VM will help Sailors take charge of their careers. "It's kind of an end to conscription," said Berns. "For many years, the enlisted man joins the Navy, he goes through his 'A' school, and then what do you do?" "What's your next step to be a second class...what's your progression to make chief? Not too many enlisted people could tell you that," he continued. "But with this 5VM, it'll be all listed right there; it'll tell them how to progress."

Former Task Force EXCEL Director Vice Adm. Harry Ulrich concurred. "The continuum is going to increase mission effectiveness by providing the fleet with a stable and balanced force that is smarter and more motivated." Berns said submariners can look forward to logging into their 5VM this spring. "We want to have the 5VM for the submarine rates online this Spring, so that people can actually go on to NKO and call up their 5VM and for the first few months at least, be able to look at the list of the tasks required of an MMW [machinist's mate weapons] or an MM [machinist's mate] 'A'-ganger or an ST [sonar technician]," Berns explained. "Right now, we're just working on the tasks that submariners perform based on the warfare, general and watchstation qualifications that exist in the fleet today," he continued. "Every submariner knows that we live, eat and breathe qualifications on board submarines, and we generally know where a guy needs to be at what point in his career to complete a specific qualification."

According to Berns, information contained in a Sailor's 5VM would carry over from command to command. "It'll all be laid out for him, and it'll also be a resume so that every time he qualifies something or completes a school or accomplishes a qualification, it'll be logged in there and it'll be maintained in his record for life," Berns said. "This way, a Sailor won't have to get the same qualifications twice." Berns added that 5VM isn't the only abbreviation people need to know. "People need to know that there's a new term out there called KSATs, which stands for Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Tools, which is what the whole 5VM is based on," Berns said. KSAT's will let Sailors in every rating and pay grade know what they need to know, and what they need to be able to do to hold their positions.

"That'll be a very common acronym in the future," he added. Berns stated that the 5VM will show Sailors the KSATs they have earned and tell them what KSATs they need to advance. Berns wants to spread awareness of the Navy's Revolution in Training. "If anybody hears that I'm coming to town to give a brief, I really encourage those guys to come and attend, so that they can ask me all kinds of questions, and I can be there available to answer them," he said. Through 5VM, Sailors have the ability to take charge of their careers. With just a few clicks at NKO, Sailors have access to what can amount to weeks of research. Using the 5VM, they know what information they need and when they need it.