An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Sailors sit a consoles as an instructor points something out on a screen.

 
Career Training Continuum (CTC), formerly Ready Relevant Learning (RRL), is the Navy’s enterprise program of record for individual training and career-long learning. The Navy is enhancing the quality of our curriculum to keep pace with the proliferation of technology and the global evolution of threats. 

Empowered by timely action and response from our Navy’s top leaders, CTC fosters a culture of continuous learning that delivers world-class, modernized, and battle-ready Sailors. 

Relentless improvement, technical competence, and tactical mastery are all qualities demanded of a confident warfighter. To help instill these qualities, CTC focuses on enhancing traditional brick-and-mortar schoolhouses with modern, interactive media, multi-platform delivery solutions, accelerating individual enlisted Sailor training/learning, and implementing modularized course content.

The Navy efficiently equips and trains Sailors for operations at sea by developing and leveraging concepts within the CTC framework. These concepts range from curriculum updates, facility improvements, training equipment, and much more. Through these concepts, the Navy will continue to modernize training, accelerate delivery methods, and improve individual learning.
Our mission to recruit and train those who serve our nation depends on the Navy’s use of the most effective and sophisticated methods available to develop Sailors – from the newest recruits to experienced seamen – into skilled, disciplined, and combat-ready individuals. Career Training Continuum (CTC) enables the modernization of our institutional training system.

CTC is a long-term investment in improving individual Sailor performance and enhancing fleet readiness with three major components that address the WHEN, HOW and WHERE we train.

First, the WHEN. CTC delivers the right training at the right time in the right way so that Sailors are ready to operate their equipment at the extreme technical end of its capability to win the high-end fight. CTC delivers training at the most appropriate time in a Sailor’s career. That learning continuum does not stop at today’s “A” schools — it includes training that targets each operational tour throughout a Sailors’ career, as opposed to the previous “one and done” approach.

Second, the HOW. CTC leverages training technology that ranges from simple visual demonstration tools such as YouTube-like videos to more complex, immersive simulators, virtual trainers, and Part Task Trainers (PTT). These modern tools increase the number of “Reps and Sets” a Sailor can perform and build upon muscle memory before physical interactions with equipment or systems. CTC shifts our focus from rote memorization to “hands-on” performance-based fundamentals that will build “experience” within a modern training environment.

Lastly, the WHERE. At its conclusion, CTC will deliver modernized training to the actual point of need. That means training resident on the waterfront, flight line and eventually available on our afloat units.

CTC is a tremendous modernization effort, requiring collaboration across all warfare community stakeholders throughout the Navy, to meet fleet requirements. At its core, CTC is about creating battle ready, proficient, and technically capable Sailors as they head to operational fleet units.

Career-Long Learning Continuum

Learning roadmaps that link requirements with real-world fleet needs so that Sailors get the right training at the right time throughout their careers.
 

Block Learning (2017 - 2022)
Current accession-level training is redistributed over first sea/shore tour.

Enhanced, Accessible Learning (2018 - 2025)
The learning continuum is expanded to include intermediate and expert, plus multiple paths.

Modernized, On-Demand, Fleet-Responsive Learning (2020 and Beyond)
Non-technical training is added to the continuum, and the Sailor's control is increased.

End-State
Improved individual performance and enhanced mission readiness.

Ready, Relevant Learning Block Learning
 

Block Learning is the first step towards completing a larger training initiative known as Career Training Continuum (CTC). Block Learning revises current accession level initial training paths into blocks, which are redistributed over a Sailor's career.

The new process requires the return of fleet Sailors to receive additional training approximately 24 months after reporting to operational units, in order to complete required training modules and/or earn progressive Navy Enlisted Classifications (NECs).

Training is delivered at specific timeframes in a Sailor's career, and is referred to as 'blocks.' The definition of blocks is described below.

Block 0
Refers to all training occurring prior to report to a first command.  Examples:

  • Recruit Training Command (RTC)
  • Life Skills (LS)
  • Accession path, such as "A" or "C" schools

Block 1
Refers to formalized rate training that occurs during the first tour assignment with delivery targeted at 12 to 24 months after reporting aboard a Sailor's first command.

Block 1.X
If required, additional block training would occur at other times during the first sea tour and be referred to as Block 1.2, 1.3, and so forth.

Block 2
Refers to formalized rate training that occurs immediately prior to, or during, a second tour assignment.

Modern Delivery at Point of Need

Modernized content and multiple delivery options to accelerate learning, minimize atrophy, and provide on-the-job performance support.

Block Learning (2017 - 2022)
Current accession-level training is modernized to build proficiency when needed.

Enhanced, Accessible Learning (2018 - 2025)
The learning continuum has enhanced content with multiple delivery options available on the waterfront.

Modernized, On-Demand, Fleet-Responsive Learning (2020 and Beyond)
Robust training options and performance support is available at convenient locations.

Ready, Relevant Learning Modern Delivery at Point of Need

Integrated Content Development

Significant reductions in the cost and time for getting the most relevant training to the Fleet, thereby increasing agility in a rapidly changing world.

Block Learning (2017 - 2022)
Identifies fleet role in developing requirements and validating analysis.

Enhanced, Accessible Learning (2018 - 2025)
The processes, standards and resources are aligned to accelerate development

Modernized, On-Demand, Fleet-Responsive Learning (2020 and Beyond)
Rapid, responsive content control authority drives ongoing improvement.

Ready, Relevant Learning Integrated Content Development

Improving Instructional Techniques
From life-sized torpedo tubes to a fully functional Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement transfer case powered by compressed air and electricity, 3D printed devices give Sailors tactical exposure that is critical for skill development and retention — without the logistical challenges of training on the actual devices. Tangible exposure allows students to see, touch, and operate the systems that they’ll be responsible for, bridging the gap between theory and application. Rather than relying solely on manuals and PowerPoint briefs, 3D printed equipment provides Sailors with real-world experience in a controlled, repeatable environment.
CTC’s gamification and virtual reality solutions are IT training upgrades that transform the way Sailors learn critical skills to be mission ready. Using these IT tools, Sailors can now train in lifelike scenarios, make decisions in real time, and experience complex procedures without ever stepping outside a controlled setting.

CTC is driving change and funding multiple training and IT transformations within the Navy. A prime example of this is the Naval Training Process tool, which documents processes with clarity and integrity, while prioritizing agility, standardization, and real-time readiness. The tool facilitates and streamlines  training development through the Navy Training Process, which is now codified in the NAVEDTRA 142 series, and was released through RRL, now CTC, maturation.

Schoolhouse Facility Updates

Career Training Continuum has invested more than $168 million into schoolhouse facility upgrades at key locations such as Jacksonville, Norfolk, North Island, and many more. The renovations include structural improvements to revitalize classrooms, electrical and IT infrastructure updates to support evolving technology, and replacing inoperative or missing equipment. These improvements address longstanding facility gaps and improve the delivery of high-quality training.
Performance Support

CTC is currently working on parallel efforts to close training readiness gaps at sea for our Journeyman and Master level Sailors via Performance Support - a delivery method where content is electronically accessible and usable at the point of need. Performance Support tools assist Sailors in executing tasks in the operational environment. Performance Support tools include interactive diagrams/schematics, 3D models, or 3-5-minute “how-to” videos. The videos supplement official technical guidance it to create an easier and more accurately executable work process. The benefits of Performance Support include:
  • Increased productivity by providing the right support at the right time at the point of need
  • Increased Sailor understanding in maintenance and operations
  • Improved worker autonomy and reduction in senior leader intervention
  • Improved morale and job satisfaction
For Career Training Continuum (CTC) to meet the real-world performance needs of our Navy, we rely on feedback from fleet leaders and Sailors. If you have a recommendation on how the CTC team can improve its practices or if you have a CTC good news story to share, please submit feedback using the form below or to the email address at netc-pao@us.navy.mil. The name and email address fields are optional in the form below so feedback can be submitted anonymously if desired.
 
Guidance-Card-Icon Dept-Exclusive-Card-Icon