NAPLES, Italy -- In order to keep up with ever changing leadership roles and improvements to Sailors’ development and professionalism, three new classes, the First Line Leadership Development Program (FLLDP), Primary Leadership Development Program (PLDP), and Advanced Leadership Development Program (ALDP) have emerged from the Naval Leadership Training Continuum (NLTC).
Previously, the leadership courses were only available to petty officers in pay grades E-4 to E-7, regardless of the individual’s leadership role. The new classes are designed to better meet the needs of people in leadership positions.
“The classes are now aligned with a Sailor’s leadership role in the command vice their pay grade. This will ensure that Sailors are getting required leadership training that is commensurate with their responsibilities,” Naval Support Activity Naples Command Master Chief, CMDCM (SW) William Clouse said.
“These changes also support the Navy’s revolution in training and the move to the 5 Vector Model (5VM),” Clouse added.
The First Line Leadership Development Program (FLLDP) is for Sailors in pay grades E-3 to E-5 who are in a “first leadership position” within their chain of command. These Sailors are those who are responsible for the growth, development and daily direction of their subordinates.
The Primary Leadership Development Program (PLDP) is for those E-5 to E-6 Sailors who will be assigned leadership roles and responsibilities that include planning and executing divisional functions. They will also be responsible for the professional and personal growth of personnel within their division.
The Advanced Leadership Development Program (ALDP) is for first class petty officers and chief petty officers who are assigned to leadership roles and responsibilities in the administration, supervision and training of their division or department, including the professional and personal growth of personnel within that division or department.
According to Clouse, the course curriculum was also significantly modified to include instruction in e-learning.
“The new course involves in-class instruction mixed with computer e-learning on the Navy Knowledge Online (NKO) Web site, Clouse said. “For this reason, all Sailors assigned must have a NKO account [username and password] prior to attending the course.”
According to Clouse, the e-learning portion of the course is done on the NKO Web site, and the students' progress and course completion will be logged directly on the Professional Development vector of the 5VM.
All Sailors must complete FLLDP prior to taking the Navywide exam for E-6. However, completion of the E-5 NLTC course satisfies the requirement of FLLDP.
Completion of FLLDP is required for enrollment in PLDP, and PLDP is required to take the Navywide exam for E-7. Previous completion of the E-6 NLTC satisfies the requirement of PLDP.
PLDP is required for enrollment in ALDP, and ALDP is required for advancement to E-8. Previous completion of the E-7 NLTC course satisfies the requirement of ALDP.
Written authorization from the first flag officer in the chain of command is needed to waive any of the above requirements, but according to Clouse, waivers are difficult to justify and normally not approved.
The courses are taught by members of the NLTC Mobile Training Team from Sigonella.
There is a waiting list, and classes are limited to 24 people. NLTC determines the yearly number and schedule of classes based on the Naples area population.
Sailors who meet the criteria and need to attend one of the courses must contact their command training coordinator as soon as possible.
Clouse said supervisors must consider the importance of the class and nightly homework assignments, and not overtask the students who are in attendance.
“Parent commands must ensure that students attending leadership courses are not assigned duties which interfere with the conduct of the course,” Clouse said. “Attendance at class and completion of homework are considered primary duties while Sailors are attending LDP.”
Sailors can learn more by reading NAVADMIN 006/04 or by visiting Web sites accessible through Navy Knowledge Online at www.nko.navy.mil/.
