Aegis Training and Readiness Center (ATRC) was formally established as a training command in November 1984. The facility opened for training in October 1985 with the first class of 14 students graduating on Dec. 18, 1985, from the Aegis Computer Fundamentals course. Headquartered at the Rear Admiral Wayne E. Meyer Aegis Education Center, Dahlgren, Va., ATRC's core mission is training military personnel in the operation, maintenance, and employment of the Aegis Combat Weapons System and the operation and employment of the Ship's Self Defense System. The first building was erected in 1984 as A-Wing of Ticonderoga Hall, named for the Ticonderoga-class cruisers. In 1988, BWing was added, and in 1990 Arleigh Burke Hall was constructed as C-Wing and named after the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers. A final Wing was added in 1999,Huchting Hall.
The Aegis Weapon System has evolved into a fast reaction, high performance, computerized system using the latest radar technology to detect contacts and engage threats. The Aegis Combat System is a functional grouping of theAegisWeapons Systems with Anti-Air, Ballistic Missile Defense, Anti- Submarine,Anti-Surface and Strike warfare, and associated weapons and communications equipment. Each element of these overall systems is taught at the ATRC. As the weapons systems evolve, courses are tailored to support differences between equipment found on the various Aegis ships. After completing intensive training each student becomes a vital part of their assigned ship's Combat Systems team and assists in highly detailed procedures designed to ensure total combat readiness of the individual ship and that of the Strike Group it is part of.
The AEGIS Training and Readiness Center Crest: Aug 26, 2015
The AEGIS Training and Readiness Center Crest
Blazon
Shield: Azure, a chief wavy argent, overall an anchor surmounted by a breastplate charged with the head of Medusa or and issuing there from saltirewise four lightning bolts of the second.
Crest: On a wreath of the colors, argent and azure, issuing from two wavy bars, azure above argent, an open book proper edged or and bound of the second charged with the AEGIS Radar shape proper all in front of a trident gules, and issuing from either side a launched missile proper, all in front of a cloud argent.
Seal
The complete coat of arms, in full color as in the blazon, upon a white oval, all contained within a dark blue border edged with gold rope on the outside and inscribed "AEGIS TRAINING AND READINESS CENTER" at the top and "DAHLGREN, VIRGINIA" at the bottom in gold.
Symbolism
Shield: Blue and gold are the colors traditionally associated with the Navy and are symbolic of the sea and excellence. The white wavy chief and the blue shield stand for the air, surface, and subsurface aspects of the sea or the combat areas of the cruiser. The word "aegis" means "protection" or "defense" and is mainly associated with Athena, Greek goddess of wisdom and patron deity of war. The Aegis or breastplate of Athena is emblematic of power and majesty and has the head of Medusa fixed upon it because the head of Medusa, according to Greek myth, turned all beholders to stone. The Aegis of Athena is doubly symbolic, indicating both defensive and offensive capabilities. The AEGIS system enables a ship to engage multiple targets simultaneously and the four lightning bolts symbolize this hostile electronic environment. Also, the bolts represent the four basic warfare areas: anti-war warfare, antisubmarine warfare, surface warfare, and amphibious warfare. The anchor supporting the Aegis represents the AEGIS Combat System aboard CG 47 Class Cruisers.
Crest: AEGIS Training is represented by the open book. On the open pages is the AN/SPY-1A Radar System; the AEGIS system’s primary air, surface, and fire control radar. The two launched STANDARD Missiles refer to the offensive posture of AEGIS. Sea power is symbolized by the trident and the clouds and blue and white wavy bars allude to air and sea combat.