DP A SCHOOL, SAN DEIGO NAVAL TRAINING CENTER

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Branch

U.S. Navy

Members

About DP A SCHOOL, SAN DEIGO NAVAL TRAINING CENTER

**DP A SCHOOL, San Diego Naval Training Center** served as a primary training facility for Data Processing (DP) personnel in the United States Navy. Established during the Cold War era, the school was located at the Naval Training Center (NTC) San Diego, which operated from 1923 until its closure in 1997. At DP A School, sailors received specialized instruction in computer operations, data management, and the maintenance of Navy information systems, reflecting the growing importance of technology in naval operations. Graduates of the school supported fleet-wide administrative and operational functions, contributing to the Navy’s transition into the digital age. Following the BRAC-mandated closure of NTC San Diego, DP training was consolidated at other naval education commands.

Unit Members

Ismael Cintron

U.S. Navy (1978 - 1996)

DP A SCHOOL, SAN DEIGO NAVAL TRAINING CENTERView Profile

Robert Rockwell

U.S. Navy

DP A SCHOOL, SAN DEIGO NAVAL TRAINING CENTERView Profile

Photos

A School

U.S. Navy • 1979

Buddies

U.S. Navy

All P-3 retired

VP Squadrons • U.S. Navy • 2024

My book

USS Lawrence DDG-4 • U.S. Navy • 1972

About DP A SCHOOL, SAN DEIGO NAVAL TRAINING CENTER

About this Unit

Historical Facts

• Founding Era: The Naval Training Center San Diego (NTC) was commissioned in 1923, serving as a key training facility for the U.S. Navy on the West Coast for over 70 years. • “DP A School” Defined: “DP A School” referred to Data Processing “A” School, where sailors were trained as Data Processing Technicians (DP) in computer operations, programming, and data management. • Cutting-Edge Computing: DP A School introduced Navy personnel to early computer systems, including mainframes like the UNIVAC, making it a pioneer in military computer training. • First Women Graduates: The school was among the first to integrate female sailors into technical computer training programs during the 1970s, marking a significant milestone for gender integration in the Navy. • Vietnam War Impact: During the Vietnam War, the demand for Data Processing Technicians surged, and the school’s throughput increased dramatically to meet operational requirements. • Training Curriculum: Sailors at DP A School were taught programming languages like COBOL and FORTRAN, punch card operations, and terminal-based data entry—skills that were on the technological frontier at the time. • Legendary “Grinder” Marches: The NTC’s famous “grinder,” a large parade ground, was where students would drill, march, and hold graduation ceremonies, leaving many with lasting memories of Navy discipline. • Cold War Significance: Graduates from DP A School played a critical role in Cold War naval operations, supporting everything from logistics to intelligence with their technical expertise. • Base Closure: NTC San Diego, including DP A School, was closed in 1997 as part of post-Cold War base realignment and closure (BRAC) efforts, ending a significant chapter in Navy training history. • Legacy: The site of the former NTC now hosts Liberty Station, a mixed-use development that preserves several historic buildings, including those that once housed DP A School, keeping the memory of Navy training alive in San Diego.