USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, At Sea (NNS) - Chief petty officers aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) are using the master chief petty officer of the Navy's 2011 CPO 365/Induction guidance April 15, as they prepare the ship's CPO board eligible first class petty officers (FCPO) for the upcoming 2011 CPO Induction training.

The preparation involves projects that teach teamwork, ingenuity and problem solving. They will also receive group physical fitness, Navy policies and procedures, and heritage training.

"I think the 365 day program is an excellent idea," said Senior Chief Information Systems Technician (SW/AW) Halton D. Allison, USS George Washington Automated Data Processing (ADP) leading chief petty officer (LCPO), from New York, N.Y. "It's a good way for the CPOs to be engaged with the FCPOs."

There are three phases to the CPO 365 program. Phase one begins by training the FCPOs on the expectations of a CPO and has them participate in various community service projects. Only the selectees move onto phase two which builds on the previous training by adding more interaction between the first classes and the chiefs. The third and final phase, weeds out only the best of the best to start the exclusive CPO training.

"It's interesting, different, and it gives us some more training," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 1st Class (AW/SW) Roger Goetz, from Detroit, Mich. "We'll be better prepared when we do put on our chief's anchors. It's a good deal. Besides, this is all about giving back to the Sailors; making the ship better."

As part of their training, the first class petty officers are working together to rehab one of the ship's gyms.

"Something like this is perfect for a team building effort," said Senior Chief Logistics Specialist Emile Truman, USS George Washington Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) Department LCPO, from Marysville, Wash. "The first classes will have to pull all their resources, work together and start networking to get a project like this done."

The gym rehab evolution will last several days, and the FCPOs involved are confident they can get the job done efficiently and smartly.

"I love my fellow first classes; each and every one of them," added Goetz.

USS George Washington has been underway since March 21, when the carrier departed its forward-deployed port of Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, in response to the complex nature of the natural disaster that struck Japan, March 11.

George Washington is the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier, ensuring security and stability across the western Pacific Ocean.

For more news from USS George Washington (CVN 73), visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn73/.