Recently, someone on LinkedIn asked me for advice on becoming an instructor. While this isn’t an exhaustive list, it should provide new instructors with a solid foundation as they begin their journey.

Guidance for Instructors

  • Lead with humility. Treat students the way you would want to be treated.
  • Show respect and fairness. Every student deserves equal attention, professionalism, and courtesy.
  • Be transparent. Never try to trick students—clearly explain what they are expected to know and why it matters.
  • Be patient with new learners. Much of the material may be unfamiliar to them. Explain concepts in multiple ways and break down complex ideas into their simplest form.
  • Prepare thoroughly. Know your lesson plan so well that you can anticipate the next slide and transition smoothly between topics.
  • Learn to shift between roles. Move confidently between lecturing, facilitating, coaching, and guiding discussions.
  • Ask meaningful questions. Use open-ended and “why” questions to encourage critical thinking and classroom dialogue.
  • Be punctual. Arrive on time and set a professional tone for the day.
  • Stay humble as an expert. Remain open to learning—from peers, from the fleet, and even from your students.
  • Use sea stories with purpose. Share operational experiences when they reinforce the lesson, but avoid overusing them.
  • Be authentic. Don’t pretend to be someone you’re not; students recognize sincerity immediately.
  • Set expectations early. Begin each day by explaining the schedule and objectives, then follow through.
  • Minimize schedule changes. Students value consistency and predictability in their training.

Stay Relevant as an Instructor

  • Keep yourself current. Continuously update your understanding of the fleet, technology, and global events.
  • Track world events and geopolitics. Understand how international developments shape naval operations and IW mission priorities.
  • Read widely. Use both open-source reporting and classified materials (when appropriate) to maintain a complete operational picture.
  • Study emerging technologies. Stay informed on new capabilities—cyber, AI, EW, communications, sensors, platforms, and any innovation affecting the battlespace.
  • Engage with returning fleet personnel. Seek out officers and enlisted members who have just completed deployments to gain current perspectives.
  • Ask deep, probing questions. Explore what worked, what didn’t, and the real reasons behind successes and failures.
  • Incorporate fleet lessons into training. Bring real-world insights, trends, and case studies into your classroom to maintain relevance.
  • Expose students to professional voices. Arrange meaningful video teleconferences with leaders, operators, and tactical experts so students hear directly from the field.
  • Provide access to different operational levels. Allow students to hear from personnel involved in strategy, operations, and tactical execution to broaden their understanding.
  • Model lifelong learning. Show students that being an effective instructor means staying engaged, informed, and curious.