JU First University to Use NROTC Mariner Skills Simulator

2/6/2008

Jacksonville, Fla.—Jacksonville University’s NROTC Unit unveiled its new $250,000 Mariner Skills Simulator on January 31, 2007 during a ribbon cutting ceremony in the Tillie K. Fowler NROTC building on campus. JU is the first to use the simulator out of 59 university NROTC units in the country.

The Mariner Skills Simulator consists of two computer-based training devices for navigation and seamanship. The devices, which are currently used by the Navy, allow students to accurately gauge a ship’s navigation and handling, enhancing its contact management. Students learn as a team on a larger, interactive simulator and at individual stations that act as their own ship, allowing instructors to better measure each individual’s progress.

The simulator was paid for with federal funding that was helped secured by Dr. Quinton White, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Lt. Saul Pavlinsky instructing NROTC students
on the Mariner Skills Simulator.

Rear Adm. Arnold O. Lotring, commander for the Naval Service Training Command, explained the importance of the simulator to the training of officers.

“This is the future of learning and a marvelous introduction of technology,” said Lotring. “We owe it to our students to give them the best tools for learning, and there is no better way to start that learning than right here.”

Lotring, a 1974 graduate of the Norwich Free Academy, Norwich, Conn., and a 1978 graduate of the College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Mass., has extensive Navy experience, both aboard submarines and in shore assignments. On November 17, 2006, he assumed duties as Commander, Naval Service Training Command. He is responsible for the execution of all enlisted and officer accession training programs with the single exception of the U.S. Naval Academy.

For more information, contact Lt. Saul Pavlinsky, naval science instructor, at 256-7487.

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