The use of databases in modern applications

¶ … Databases

Improving the use of databases in the Recruit Training Command Center

Electronic databases are used by organizations large and small for a number of different purposes. The United States Navy employs a wide range of simple and customized database applications to suit their needs. While many of these databases are highly complex, the Recruit Training Command Center in Great Lakes, Illinois relies on consumer-level databases such as Microsoft Access. While Microsoft Access serves some of our purposes quite well, such as organizing information about the weekly Boot Camp graduations, we might benefit from either upgrading our software systems to include larger or more customized databases, or creating new and more sophisticated databases using our current software configurations. Furthermore, these databases can and should link to other centralized databases used by the United States Navy.

DISCUSSION:

Databases are an important information management tool and the United States Navy currently relies heavily on database software applications to keep and maintain records. For example, the weekly graduations from Boot Camp are recorded and archived in Microsoft Access. From Access, Navy personnel can print charts or otherwise work with the information contained therein. Information such as the name of the recruit, his or her home address, and other critical information can be recorded and cross-referenced by using Microsoft Access.

However, the United States Navy may be missing out on other key uses for database software systems, especially in the Recruit Training Command Center. For example, the health records of our recruits are not currently maintained in a database. We would do well to record such information and keep it updated in case of an emergency. Recording health data of recruits in an Access database would also eliminate potential errors in medication administration or other critical issues.

Another potential use for database systems at the U.S. Navy Recruit Training Command includes inventory upkeep. We should be keeping better records of our supplies, including food and medical supplies as well as gear, uniforms, and other essentials. The Recruit Training Command center would avoid costly wait times if databases were more effectively employed.

Finally, all officer data, including data from commanding officers, should be maintained in a database in our office here in Great Lakes. Furthermore, we need to maximize our information technology power by linking to other U.S. Navy databases on a secure network. This way, we will be more in touch, better organized, and operate more efficiently.

If the Navy Recruit Training Command wants to begin including photographs of its recruits in the central database, we might want to upgrade our software systems. However, Microsoft Access might serve our needs and would save the Navy money.