A second example of the innovative solutions being delivered by the MSC team was the placement of civilian mariners aboard USS Supply, a fast combat supply ship operated by the Navy's combatant fleet. Comments from all involved indicate the program is providing excellent service, increasing Sailor morale and paving the way for other experiments aboard combatants. Civilian mariners are MSC's lifeblood and central to MSC operations. We could not complete the mission without our mariners. That makes recruiting and retention key focus areas.
Retention is up.
We're taking ordinary seamen and giving them upgrade training aboard ship on a daily basis. Most of the training is done on the job. They win, and MSC wins. It means our more experienced mariners are spending extra time as teachers, but the personal attention and the advancement potential of the program is paying off as more and more new mariners come to MSC and stay. Sealift is another area where innovative ideas put MSC out in front.