Naval Training Station employs simulations, mock destroyer to test recruits

Jan. 11, 2007
GREAT LAKES, Ill., 11 Jan. 2007. Life-like simulations will be used to test recruits at the Navy Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill. The year 2007 brings high-tech, life-like simulations to Navy recruits for their final stage of testing at the Navy's Recruit Training Command. This new facility determines whether recruits will complete boot camp and the sailorization process.

GREAT LAKES, Ill., 11 Jan. 2007.Life-like simulations will be used to test recruits at the Navy Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill.

The year 2007 brings high-tech, life-like simulations to Navy recruits for their final stage of testing at the Navy's Recruit Training Command. This new facility determines whether recruits will complete boot camp and the sailorization process.

The facility holds a scaled-down replica of the Arleigh Burke guided missile destroyer standing 210 feet long and 60 feet high.

The mock destroyer, named U.S.S Trayer, offers 17 different scenarios based on actual emergency situations taken from past Navy incidences. These realistic simulations, in a controlled environment, help determine if recruits are equipped with the proper skills needed to become sailors.

One scenario comes from the historical crisis situation that involved a deck fire on the USS Forrestal.

Brian Anson, Project Manager of James McHugh Construction, based in Chicago, explains, "This scenario has a 6 foot by 6 foot fire that recruits have to put out with water."

Safety precautions are an important element of the USS Trayer; the Navy wants to test its recruits with life-like simulations but does not want them injured during the process.

Full use of this training command is scheduled for June of 2007.

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