Update;Petty Officer Jenkins was Killed in Action in Iraq last month along with injured Seabees that took this welding class.Remember your freedom and take a minute and thank those who are able to fight so that you may walk free.Believe it or not!Semper Fidelis!
PBCC aids Naval Reserves to maintain readiness

(Belle Glade, July 25, 2003) Palm Beach Community College in Belle Glade is currently teaching a second round of classes for the Naval Reserves this year, this one in diesel engine tune-up and field maintenance. Students are Naval Reserve officers from the West Palm Beach area, part of the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Fourteen headquartered in Jacksonville.

Earlier this year, 16 students from the battalion plus three more battalions and a support unit completed a welding class. The classes have been taught by PBCC instructors at West Technical Education Center in Belle Glade.

Jim Cochran from Royal Palm Beach, the leading petty officer of the training department in Battalion Fourteen, said the purpose of the training is “to maintain a certain level of readiness in case we are deployed.” Cochran, who is the leader of the civilian augmented training team, said the ongoing training probably will include carpentry and air conditioning repair classes.

“This arrangement seems to be working for the Navy and working for PBCC. It’s a good fit,” Cochran said.

“The College appreciates the confidence the Navy has in our ability to assist in preparing for and maintaining the skills needed to complete the military mission,” said Jay Sommer, program coordinator—automotive trades, at PBCC.

For more information, contact Sommer at (561) 868-3542.


Media contact:
Toni Wolf
College Relations and Marketing Specialist
(561) 868-3129

PBCC is a Certified Welding Qualification Testing Center for The Automotive Industry through ICAR.