Official U.S. Navy website - Commander Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet

Born from the Training Pilot Program, SFRM policy execution depends on the integration of manning, maintenance, training and sustainment throughout all FRP phases. Unlike the training-focused Surface Forces Training Manual, the SFRM encompasses readiness across the PESTO (Personnel, Equipment, Supply, Training, and Ordnance) Pillars, and is designed to integrate maintenance and training to maximize each ship's readiness posture. This guidance outlines a standard, predictable path to readiness, with consistent material assessment standards and simple shipboard reporting across all functional areas. The SFRM is complimented by a number of supporting instructions that provide detailed process information to allow for execution throughout all phases of training.

SFRM development began in late fall 2011. Feedback was solicited form fleet stakeholders, including every Commanding Officer in the Fleet. We executed a Training Pilot on 35 ships on both coasts over the course of a year. The response was overwhelmingly positive. A waterfront rollout plan tailored to each fleet concentration area will be announced later this spring, with ATGs reaching out to each Commanding Officer to provide specific ship execution guidance. Expect to see SFRM in action onboard ships this summer.

This new guidance will arrive on the waterfront at about the same time as our new Surface Warriors do - in early February, I had the pleasure of attending the Naval Academy's "ship selection night," and spoke to midshipmen from several Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps schools as they selected their first tour of duty. As a note, we added LCS assignments to our ship list this year and these billets were among the first chosen. Ship selection is an important milestone for these soon-to-be Surface Warfare Officers because their first assignment sets the stage for the remainder of their careers. From the day these midshipmen report to their first ships, they will make a direct contribution to our efforts to place warfighting first, operate forward and be ready. We welcome them to the Surface Force and hope they join our Fleet with pride.

Our Surface Force is crucial to keeping our nation secure. Maintaining our presence forward and continuing to improve our tactical advantage ensures that we are ready to meet any challenge. I thank each of you for your dedication to our Navy and professional service to our Nation. Be proud of all that you do; I am proud to call each of you "shipmate."

Surface Warriors As we reflect upon the first quarter of 2012 and discuss what lies ahead, I am proud to say that I believe we are achieving success and making strides in our ability to man, train and equip our Surface Navy to readily adapt and adjust to current and anticipated challenges around the world.

A cornerstone of our continued ability to respond is the new Surface Forces Readiness Manual (SFRM), which Admiral Harvey, Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command; Rear Adm. Thomas, Commander, Naval Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet; and I signed into policy on 9 March. The SFRM, which replaces the Surface Force Training Manual, is expanded in scope beyond the Basic Phase to the entire Fleet Response Plan (FRP) in order to integrate material assessments and maintenance actions with training and to ensure complementary, supporting process. I believe that the SFRM strategy will produce ships and crews that are better prepared to execute the Fleet Response Training Plan, meet operational commitments, and enable ships to reach their Expected Service Life.