Naval Reserve Association Naval Reserve Association

ProfessionalDevelopmentNRA Rolls Out New ProfessionalDevelopment Seminar SeriesCAPT Larry Weill, USNNational VP for Professional DevelopmentThe start of the comingyear brings with it a newand exciting revision andupgrade to the standardProfessional Developmentseminar program. Thisprogram has been revamped over thepast year in an effort to keep up withcurrent changes in naval careers as wellas to anticipate the future needs of ourofficers and enlisted personnel.Before we get started discussing thistopic, I’m sure that a lot of eyebrowswere just raised when we mentionedenlisted PD (professional development).However, this is just one example of thenew directions we found ourselvesmoving. As an organization that supportsall members of the Navy Reserve, notjust the officer corps, we must beresponsible for providing a top-shelfproduct that will assist and advise ourenlisted members on their own careerdecisions. We are assembling a cadre ofexperts from the senior-most echelonsof our enlisted leadership to bring thisprogram to fruition within the next year.Many of our members who haveattended the NRA professional developmentseminars in past years have asked us,“Just what is it you want to change?”Our answer, basically, is EVERYTHING.No, we aren’t necessarily getting rid ofanything that is important, and we aren’tgoing to skip over critical informationjust because it’s been covered before.However, we are going to place a greateremphasis on some of the emerging areasof focus that will play a greater role inthe future. This will include expandedsections on professional education(including JPME), leadership training,APPLY strategies, and individual designatorgroup mentoring (with a focus on juniorofficers).One feature that most people willnotice immediately is that the seminars haveincreased in length. The new program, inits full format, is now six hours insteadof four. It is a fast-paced, fact-filledprogram that is truly fed through a firehose. (Expecting a traditional “lunchhour”? Forget about it! But we’ll try toarrange sandwiches to eat while youlearn.)The agenda starts with a few briefopening remarks, followed by a brief onleadership and the Center for NavalLeadership. This is an exciting look atthe programs that are coming our way asa force-wide leadership tool for all officers,regardless of status. Leadership is partand parcel of what we do, and this briefis a look into where we are going withthis program.Next on tap is a look into JPME (JointProfessional Military Leadership) andthe view “around the corner” into thefuture. We are constantly developing newresources and programs to offer JPMEto our officers stationed around theglobe, and this brief provides theanswers you’ll need to get that training.It also looks at new opportunities forgetting into the Advanced JPME program,which will become more important toyour career with each passing year. Getthe info now so you’ll be prepared totake advantage of these opportunities asthey arise.Some of the other topics listed, suchas Selection Board Preparations andFitness Reports, have appeared on previousPD seminars in the past. However, if youthink that this is just a rehash of lastyear’s program, guess again. Our BoardPreps and Simulated Selection Boardare a whole new “dark tank” experience,where we turn out the lights, splashservice records across the screens, andhand YOU the laser pointers! You’llparticipate right alongside our expertpanelists, listening to briefers discussthe merits of each record, and then gradingthe record. (Yup – that means YOU! Youwill vote on each record, and you willlearn exactly what it is that the selectionboard looks for as it makes its choices ofpromotees.)The final section of the new seminarleaves plenty of time for designatorspecificmentoring, where each officerwill pair up with senior experts withinhis/her field and review the merits of his/herindividual records. In order to maximizethe benefit from this session, you shouldbring along your most recent OSR/PSRand be prepared to discuss it with abona fide Navy mentor. It is an excellentopportunity to network with a genuineauthority who has “been there and donethat” and knows how to get advanced.The first of these new programs isbeing scheduled for Kansas City onSaturday, 17 November. We will soonbegin advertising for this program andhope to sign up a healthy contingent ofattendees. Please try to make it there ifyou are in the area. We are also lookingat potential sites including Dallas/FortWorth and Great Lakes, among otherareas of fleet concentration. A schedulewill be advertised soon, so please staytuned.Thanks again for all your input on PDprograms, because your feedback hasbeen a major catalyst towards ourefforts to upgrade this agenda. We lookforward to seeing you in Kansas Cityon 17 November!12 NRA NEWS/SEPTEMBER 2007