The Preparation of The Upcoming Navigation

Abstract

The purposes of Royal Thai Naval Academy, for all the naval cadets who have graduated from, are to be the leadership and to be able to do the duty as the “Officer of the watch”, therefore, the academy has developed the Combat Information Center (CIC) simulator to train and prepare all naval cadets for the coming Sea-Training program. The CIC simulator, which simulates the CIC system from the ship, will make naval cadets get used to the training scenario. The way we conduct this training program is senior naval cadets train/instruct junior naval cadets, and naval cadets range from 1st year to 4th year. Combat information center (CIC) is equivalent to “the brain” of the battleship. For the best use of CIC on each battleship, there must be a specific equipment and system installed in itself. There are 2 main missions for CIC, the first and the most important one is “picture compilation” which means that CIC has to gather all the information available for the command and control unit to be able to deal with/understand the current tactical situation. The secondary mission is to support other units on their operations. The CIC training program for Royal Thai naval cadets is explained below: 1st year cadet: learn how to control the ship. 2nd year cadet: learn how to use the engine and the radar system of the ship. 3rd year cadet: learn how to plot and plan the navigation route. 4th year cadet: learn how to carry on the duty of “officer of the watch” and complete the given mission as a duty of “Navigation Officer” We can observe that 4th year naval cadets have to know the situation reported from junior naval cadets to decide what to do, which is exactly the purpose for the training program. Another advantage from this purpose is more experience earned, they will learn how to act on the given duty and to carry on the mission assigned. The subject for the program consists of the following: the rule of maneuvering and governing for Royal Thai Navy, knowledge and skill of navigation, using Mo-board and radar for problem solving, planning the navigation route, forming the ship formation and altering the ship formation, assistance of CIC to the navigation officer, Network Centric Warfare Operation and introduction to CIC in Royal Thai Navy.