UMS cert @ USM first in nation

Fifteen students began classes April 30 at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM), where they are expected to be the first class in the nation to earn a certification in Unmanned Maritime Systems (UMS). “This program gives us a chance to continually and rapidly train and certify our personnel to be the best in the world," said Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command Deputy Commander Dr. Bill Burnett. The certification program is the only one of its kind in the U.S. Students will participate in a three-month training cycle, during which they will study nautical science, 3-D positioning, ocean policy, and autonomous systems. The inaugural class includes civilian and military personnel from the Naval Oceanographic Office, Fleet Survey Team and Naval Oceanography Mine Warfare Center based at Stennis Space Center, Miss.; Naval Oceanography Special Warfare Center in San Diego; Submarine Development Squadron 5 based in Bangor, Wash.; Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Newport, R.I.; and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Norfolk, Va. (Source: DVIDS 05/01/17)