Navy Embracing AI in Sailor Training at NAS Pensacola

Escambia County, FL (Newsradio 92.3) -- The Navy is integrating artificial intelligence into its training programs, recognizing that the next generation of sailors approaches technology differently than their predecessors.

Admiral Greg Huffman, commander of Naval Education Training Command at NAS Pensacola, says younger recruits come into the Navy as "native speakers" of technology. Rather than imposing traditional training methods, NETC is updating its curriculum to leverage that natural fluency.

"Their comfort level with new technology and bringing on new capabilities makes it very easy for us to try to keep pace with them and make sure that the things we are teaching, the curriculum we have is relevant," Huffman said.

The initiative goes beyond just updating textbooks. The Navy is actively training sailors to use AI as a practical tool they'll encounter in the modern fleet. Huffman emphasized that curriculum improvements are happening rapidly to keep pace with technological change.

"We are absolutely embracing AI. We're bringing that along, not just on how we are improving our curriculum and making sure it's the latest and greatest and getting it updated rapidly, but also ensuring that our sailors are able to use those tools that are available to them now," he said.

The push aligns with direction from Navy leadership. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro recently encouraged all Navy personnel to embrace AI and new tools as part of modernizing how the service operates.

"Some of us older folks are working through that, but it is definitely something that we are taking on board, and I've seen it in action, and it's very, very impressive," Huffman said.

NETC, headquartered at NAS Pensacola, is the Navy's largest training command, processing approximately 45,000 recruits annually through basic training and foundational skills before they deploy to the fleet.