STAR Center certified to offer two new MSC courses

Military Sealift Command has certified STAR Center to teach the five-day Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Defense Officer (CBRD-O) and five-day Anti-Terrorism Officer / Force Protection Level 2 (ATO 2) to add to the growing number of government-required courses being offered at the new MSC building on campus in Dania Beach.

Members of American Maritime Officers who needed this training were once required to travel to an MSC-approved facility, either in San Diego or Norfolk, Va., at considerable expense or with a contracted company sponsor. Now, with the course being offered as part of the AMO Plans Safety and Education Plan benefit, members who need these courses can get them more easily.

STAR Center's instructors were required to complete intensive training with MSC staff in order to be certified to instruct these classes and their knowledge impressed MSC officials who evaluated their abilities. The officials were equally impressed with the facility setup that was also needed to be able to deliver the course.

In a letter to STAR Center's director of operations Graeme Holman, the MSC evaluator gave STAR Center high marks.

"I would like to express how appreciative I am with the level of effort your instructors have made in regards to learning the material. CBRD Officer is an upper-level class and has some complex material that is not easy to learn to teach," wrote Dr. Elizabeth DeVault, N12/Instructional Systems Specialist for MSC. "Your instructors went above and beyond to learn the material. I have attached all STAR's certificate and certify you to teach CBRD Officer."

The first CBRD-O class will be taught June 12 to 16. The next ATO Level 2 course is scheduled for May 1.