New Crew Must Learn Radio First

Flotilla 96 is scrambling to train telecommunications teachers after a recent decision to require all new crewmembers to first qualify in the radio room. Part of the problem is that many of our regular watchstanders earned their specialty ribbons under the old AUXCOM course and need retraining to meet the standard as telecommunications operators.

The new requirement for Flotilla 96 crewmembers was announced by Flotilla Commander Larry Urbanek after talking to CWO4 Jeffrey Kerner, Commanding Officer at Station Fort Myers Beach, and learning that crewmembers there must become proficient in the communications room before earning crew status.

“The decision to adopt the STAFMB approach is now part of our goal to become more mission competent,” Urbanek said.  “It is also a good way to get our new members quickly engaged in flotilla activities.”  The new ruling does not apply to currently certified crewmembers or those already in the process of qualifying, he said.

Dave Shuster, our Flotilla Vice Commander, is holding classes for watchstanders who will become mentors under the new program. Skills such as plotting courses, recognizing aids to navigation, consistent use of prowords, and rules for responding to distress and non-distress situations are a few of the classroom exercises.  Those who complete the course will work on a one-to-one basis with new candidates seeking certification as telecommunications operators.  Attending the classes are Richard Brant, Peter Holsten, Heidi LaQuadra, Larry Urbanek and Emily Harris.

Also working to improve the standard of readiness in the radio room, our FSO for Communications, Heidi LaQuadra, is reorganizing materials such as important phone numbers and Search and Rescue Checklists to make them quickly available if needed.  She is also preparing a guide for watchstanders about what they should and should not enter in the radio log.