Naval Support Facility Dahlgren

Aegis Training and Readiness Center (ATRC) was formally established as a training command in November 1984. The facility opened for training in October 1985 with the first class of 14 students graduating on Dec. 18, 1985, from the Aegis Computer Fundamentals course. Headquartered at the Rear Admiral Wayne E. Meyer Aegis Education Center, Dahlgren, Va., ATRC's core mission is training military personnel in the operation, maintenance, and employment of the Aegis Combat Weapons System and the operation and employment of the Ship's Self Defense System. The first building was erected in 1984 as A-Wing of Ticonderoga Hall, named for the Ticonderoga-class cruisers. In 1988, B-Wing was added, and in 1990 Arleigh Burke Hall was constructed as C-Wing and named after the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers. A final Wing was added in 1999, Huchting Hall.

The Aegis Weapon System has evolved into a fast reaction, high performance, computerized system using the latest radar technology to detect contacts and engage threats. The Aegis Combat System is a functional grouping of the Aegis Weapons Systems with Anti-Air, Ballistic Missile Defense, Anti-Submarine, Anti-Surface and Strike warfare, and associated weapons and communications equipment. Each element of these overall systems is taught at the ATRC. As the weapons systems evolve, courses are tailored to support differences between equipment found on the various Aegis ships. After completing intensive training each student becomes a vital part of their assigned ship's Combat Systems team and assists in highly detailed procedures designed to ensure total combat readiness of the individual ship and that of the Strike Group it is part of.

ATRC offers technical training courses specifically designed to prepare individuals for serving in a combat system role. Specifically, some fire controlmen and officers learn the Aegis Combat⁄Weapon System equipped on all U.S. Navy destroyers and cruisers. Likewise, officers destined for certain aircraft carriers and large deck amphibious ships receive training on the Ship's Self Defense System (SSDS). Completion of either the Aegis Combat⁄Weapons System or SSDS is documented in the student's official training record and receipt of a course completion certificate. ATRC courses do not lead to a diploma or degree; however, eligible ATRC courses are evaluated for college credit by the American Council on Education (ACE).

The Ship's Self Defense System Course of Instruction was added to ATRC's training curriculum in October 2007. The seven-week course provides officers en-route to SSDS ships with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to effectively manage and operate the SSDS. Students learn equipment configuration familiarization, Combat Direction Center (CDC)⁄command and control principles, and tactical decision making. Instruction is comprised of lectures, group discussions, interactive courseware, scenarios, and labs.

ATRC's traditional school house instruction is delivered 24 hours a day, five days a week. Nearly 1,200 enlisted fire controlmen and 550 officers graduate annually.

ATRC has 153 full-time instructors. Approximately two-thirds are military members and one-third are contracted. ATRC employs approximately 220 non-instructional full-time staff members. Military instructors are typically fleet returnees who bring relevant, recent experience to the classroom. Contracted instructors are typically prior Aegis Sailors, who provide continuity to our instructional staff.

ATRC employs the use of 34 electronic classrooms and 47 labs, including 13 Combat Information Center labs and one Tactical Flag Command Center lab. Instruction includes lecture, practical labs, interactive courseware, simulations, and work-based problem solving.

Electronic classrooms, electronic technical manuals, and long-range connectivity allow for continued expansion of the quantity and quality of training to meet growing training requirements. ATRC continually strives to improve the quality of training, both in the school and on the waterfront. Ongoing efforts include examining new technologies and training methods for innovative, less costly ways to train. Such things as electronic lesson plans, distance learning, learning resource centers, embedded training, and simulation training are helping us meet new training challenges and needs of the United States Navy.

Capt. Alexander Casimers
Commanding Officer
Aegis Training and Readiness Center