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The focus of training is to prepare individuals to perform the duties of the job to which they
will be assigned.
Your challenge is to help students learn--to lead them in gaining the
knowledge, skills, and attitudes that will make them successful.
To help students learn you need to know something about their previous education and
experience.
Student records will provide some of the information you need. Previous
instructors of students can also provide you with valuable information.
However, your
interaction with the student in the training environment is your greatest source of information.
Finally, you need to know basic instructional strategies and techniques. That brings us back
once again to discussing the science and art of instruction. Formal instructor training and the
information in this text will provide you with information on the science of teaching. The art
of instruction you will gain through your experience and interaction with students, other
instructors, and training administrators.
You should continuously strive to expand your
knowledge in both the science and art of instruction.
ABILITY
You should have two basic types of ability: leadership and instructional. Some individuals
are said to possess “natural ability”; that is, they are “born instructors” or “born leaders.” While
certain traits may set those people apart from others, they have probably worked very hard at
being “born instructors and leaders.”
Research, upon which the Navy’s leadership training is based, has defined a number of
leadership skills, knowledge, and behaviors that distinguish superior Navy leaders from average
performers.
Efficient and effective instructors have leadership skills such as planning and organizing,
optimizing the use of resources, delegating authority, monitoring progress and results,
disciplining, and rewarding. Their skillful use of influence helps them to persuade others, build
teamwork, develop subordinates, and maintain self-control. In advising and counseling, they
understand students’ needs, and they both have and create in others positive and realistic
expectations. In applying concepts to job situations, their knowledge and experience helps them
to identify problems, sort through facts, and decide on appropriate courses of action.
As a Navy instructor, you will find that leadership by example takes on a particularly
important significance. Everything you do is under scrutiny. Not only must you instruct in an
efficient and effective manner, you must also serve as a role model in your military conduct,
attitude, appearance, and bearing. You should exemplify the Navy’s core values of integrity,
professionalism and tradition.
Instructional ability, along with leadership ability, is essential to your efficiency and
effectiveness as an instructor. You must not only know the principles, methods, and techniques
of instruction, you must also be able to apply them effectively. Your ability as an instructor
should grow with experience.
However, your ability will grow only if you make a conscious
effort to improve.
As stated earlier in this chapter, almost anyone can become a competent instructor. You are
mistaken, however, if you assume that job experience and formal training alone will prepare you
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