Untitled Document

D-3 foreman teaches teamwork to fellow sailors
while shooting rapids on Payette River

Dan Conner, a District 3 maintenance foreman (Banks, Cascade and Emmett), recently shared his expertise in whitewater rafting with other members of the Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) based in Boise.

The full time support and active duty staff at the NOSC had a unique opportunity to build their effectiveness as a team while on a river excursion. Sailors used the Payette River and a whitewater-rafting trip to improve their communication, trust in each other and leadership.

“The best part of the trip was going through the rapids. It was an adrenaline rush working to stay in the boat through the white water. We had to work hard as a team to safely navigate the river,” said Personnel Specialist 3rd Class Ashley Tilton, manpower petty officer for NOSC Boise.

The trip was led by Senior Chief Steelworker Dan Conner, a naval Reserve Seabee who drills at Boise, led the river trip. He is a lifelong Idahoan and experienced rafting guide on the Payette.

Rafting down the Payette River requires the rafting team to respond to commands and maintain situational awareness to ensure the team makes it safely down the river.

“Whitewater rafting isn’t a challenge a sailor normally faces but the staff did a great job. Sailors are trained to operate under stressful situations,” Conner said.

“Many of our staff members are not from Idaho and this trip was an excellent opportunity for them to see the natural beauty of Idaho,” said Chief Electronics Technician Scott Brown, NOSC Boise senior enlisted leader who grew up in Idaho and is an avid outdoorsman

“This trip was great for the staff,” added NOSC Boise Commanding Officer Lt. Cmdr. Ray Fryberger. “We got to develop ourselves as a team, see the wonderful Idaho back country and have fun. It was a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.”