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A weekly publication of Newport News Shipbuilding
Mask, Meeting Policies Adjusted to Combat COVID-19 Surge Newport News Shipbuilding’s COVID-19 Crisis Action Group (CAG) announced temporary changes to the company’s mask and meeting policies last week as the number of positive cases continues to surge.
A shipbuilder uses an industrial vending machine in Newport News Shipbuilding’s Steel Fabrication Shop. Photo by Ashley Cowan
Vending Machines Stock New Items Newport News Shipbuilding is expanding the scope of items available in Fastenal industrial vending machines across the facility. As part of the company’s efforts to increase efficiency and reduce employee travel for materials, NNS began distributing commonly used personal protective equipment (PPE) and consumables via the industrial vending machines in 2019. This week, additional items available in industrial vending machines will include paint markers, railroad chalk, batteries, scrapers and putty knives. “The increased use of industrial vending machines will not only make for a more efficient workplace, but also help to standardize consumables across the yard,” said Shakiera Mussenden (K17). Shipbuilders should look for the introduction of even more items in the vending machines throughout the year. For questions related to using Fastenal industrial vending machines, visit the NNS industrial vending machine website on MyNNS or email Vending.Machines.NNS@hii-nns.com.
Watch NNS’ Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration Newport News Shipbuilding celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day virtually this year instead of the traditional in-person event. This year’s theme was “Today’s decisions set the stage for tomorrow’s realities.” Shipbuilders are encouraged to watch the ceremony on MyNNS or on the NNS to Go app featuring NNS shipbuilders and company leaders as they commemorate the holiday and celebrate King’s legacy.
Under the updated policy, masks must be worn in indoor settings, including all covered facilities, vehicles and while in transit. Masks may be removed indoors if the employee is alone. This policy applies to all employees, regardless of vaccination status or the ability to social distance. Unvaccinated personnel must continue to wear masks outdoors unless social distancing is possible. Masks are required on commissioned Navy ships. All employees may remove their masks in the following instances at NNS: • When requested by Security for identity verification. • When wearing NNS-approved respirators to perform their job. • When performing hot work. • When eating, while maintaining social distance. • When drinking for brief periods to stay hydrated during a shift. WebEx meetings are to be held instead of in-person meetings. In cases when inperson, indoor meetings are absolutely required, masks must be worn by all participants, including the presenter. These updates supersede all other mask and meeting guidance and will be reassessed Feb.1 based on case rate data.
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Honoring a Trailblazer Newport News Shipbuilding’s Engineering and Design Division is paying tribute to naval shipbuilding trailblazer Raye Montague in a unique way. The division’s new unclassified highperformance computer (UHPC) has been named “Raye” in honor of Montague, who was the first person to design a naval ship using a computer. The UHPC is a shipyardwide computational resource that supports large engineering analyses. It is standard practice to name highperformance computer systems. They’ve been named after stars such as Polaris, inspiring people, and sometimes with simple acronyms. As a group of shipbuilders brainstormed names for the new system, Chris Joseph (E05) added Montague for consideration. “When people started reading what she accomplished during her career, it was a pretty universal decision to name it after Raye Montague,” he said. Fellow engineer Matt Davis (E46) said NNS continues to build upon Montague’s contributions, which set the pace for computational design in shipbuilding. “It was kind of an against-all-odds story, and it’s a compelling one when you look into it and see what she was able to accomplish in the 1960s as a Black woman,” he said. The odds were indeed stacked against Montague, who faced race- and genderbased discrimination growing up in segregated Arkansas. “She knew there were a lot of strikes against her,” said Montague’s son, David
Montague, who co-authored a book about his mother’s life. “She was always taught to work hard and to get as much education, training and professional development as possible in order to achieve her goal.” At 7 years old, a visit to a captured Japanese submarine – which was on display and open for tours in downtown Little Rock to raise money for war bonds during World War II – piqued Montague’s interest in engineering. However, when it was time to attend college in the 1950s, racial discrimination threatened to derail Montague’s aspirations. The University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, home to the only engineering program in the state at the time, didn’t accept minority students. Montague went on to earn a business degree at Arkansas Agricultural, Mechanical & Normal College, now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. After graduation, she left for Washington, D.C., and began her career with the Navy as a clerk typist. Although she didn’t have an engineering degree, Montague took night classes and learned everything she could about large-scale computers. Despite the challenges she faced, Montague moved up the ranks, and in 1971 was tasked with designing a Navy ship using a computer – a request from President Richard Nixon. The process of designing a first-in-class ship by hand took about two years on average. Montague used a computer to produce the first draft for the Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate in 18 hours and 26 minutes. Following this feat, she received accolades and even a death threat, according to her son.
Raye Montague was honored by the Navy as a “Hidden Figure” in 2017 for her influential contributions. Photo courtesy of David Montague.
Montague went on to help design several other first-in-class ships and became the Navy’s first female program manager of ships. “Even though there were a lot of problems for her breaking barriers, she still was able to use her access to try to really support others. She used it to always pull people up,” David Montague said. “And she had a distinct passion and love for the fact that – even though she wasn’t active military – she was doing something that was helping our country and helping to protect sailors and Marines. She took great pride in that and got to meet a lot of people who served on her ships.” David Montague said his mother – who passed away in 2018 – would be “floored” to learn about her namesake at NNS. “I’m just so thankful that she’s being recognized in this way,” he said.
Urban League of Hampton Roads Recognizes NNS Newport News Shipbuilding and NNS President Jennifer Boykin were recognized for the shipyard’s employment and workforce development efforts at the Urban League of Hampton Roads’ 38th annual MLK Community Leaders Awards event Monday. “The impact Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. made – and continues to make – is beyond measure,” Boykin said in her acceptance remarks. “Behind every strong leader is an even stronger team, and I have the privilege of leading the best, so to receive this honor for our
workforce development efforts makes me especially proud.” The Urban League’s virtual event honored King’s legacy and recognized leaders in the Hampton Roads community for their efforts in employment, education, housing and more. A recording is available at ulhr.org.
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CURRENTS 3
AROUND THE YARD Schedule an Annual Physical Start the New Year off right by making your health a priority. Schedule an appointment with your local healthcare provider to get an annual physical and any necessary preventive health screenings. Eligible employees and their families can schedule their annual physical at the HII Family Health Center or contact their health plan to find a nearby in-network provider. Visit www.myquadmed.com/hii to schedule an annual physical at the HII Family Health Center.
Upcoming Blood Drives Newport News Shipbuilding is hosting the following blood drives in support of the American Red Cross. A time charge will be provided for employees who donate. Blood drives will be held from 7:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. in Bldg. 520-6 (James River Room) on the following dates. • Jan. 25
• Feb. 3
• Feb. 8
To schedule an appointment, contact Natasha Eck or Sunny Lee via email.
Shipbuilder Receives Women in Coatings Impact Award Joyce Wright, a product trainer and Master Shipbuilder at Newport News Shipbuilding, recently was honored with the 2021 Women in Coatings Impact Award by the SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings. The award recognizes women who have contributed to creating a positive impact on the culture of the coatings industry. At NNS, Wright continues to seek out new technologies and support the transformation of coating processes and training needs across all programs. She was the first woman to serve as president for the SSPC Board of Directors and also the last. In 2021, SSPC merged with NACE International to form the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). Wright currently serves as chair of the AMPP Global Center – Board of Directors.
Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 Cases reported last week: 412 Total cases at NNS: 6,006 NNS employees medically cleared to return to work: 4,344 NNS employees vaccinated: 78% See case details at nns.huntingtoningalls.com/411.
Shipbuilders representing STRIDE stand with officials from the LGBT Life Center in Norfolk.
Shipbuilders’ Donations Support LGBT Life Center Newport News shipbuilders donated monetary gifts and 12 move-in kits containing everything from bedding, toiletries, cookware and cleaning supplies required for daily living to the LGBT Life Center in Norfolk. NNS’ Shipbuilders Together Realizing Inclusion Diversity and Equality (STRIDE) employee resource group led the effort. Ariel Matthews, STRIDE chair; and Tina Lawrence, STRIDE chair of Community Outreach, delivered the donations. The Life Center provides a safe space and support to the LGBTQ community, while also providing permanent housing for LGBTQ and HIV-positive individuals to achieve economic stability, social self-reliance and better health. Virginia does not currently have a statewide housing shortage, but there are local warning signs. The incomes of many lower-paid workers have not kept pace with increases in rent. To complicate matters, not all homeless shelters are accommodating to the LGBTQ community, which “has a much higher homeless rate than the overall community,” Lawrence said. “Studies have shown that 40% of homeless youth are part of the LGBTQ community…who at best make up 12% of the general population. Thanks to the generosity of shipbuilders during the holiday season, there are fewer homeless LGBTQ people in Hampton Roads.”
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DATEBOOK JANUARY 18 & 19
JANUARY 27
PreventT2 is a year-long, group support program designed to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes for individuals with prediabetes or those at risk of developing diabetes. Led by a trained lifestyle coach, you will learn the skills needed to make lasting lifestyle changes, including losing weight, being physically active and managing stress. Register for virtual sessions at myquadmed.com/hii/T2.
The Spear and Gear Toastmasters Club invites shipbuilders to help them celebrate the start of a new year of public speaking via Zoom from 6 to 7 p.m. Those interested in joining online should contact Jamar Skyles (E03), Paul Gee Jr. (O52) or Tammy Smith (N358) for Zoom meeting information.
JANUARY 26
The Project Management Shipbuilders Association (PMSA) will host “Project Management Lessons from the Titanic Disaster” with Rick Aiken from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. via WebEx. The event is open to all employees by reservation only. Sign up on the PMSA website. For questions, contact Sandra Valentine or email PMSA@hii-nns.com. No charge is provided.
Join STRIDE Chair Ariel Matthews from noon until 12:30 p.m. for a Virtual Learning Session on the Shipbuilders Together Realizing Inclusion, Diversity and Equality (STRIDE) employee resource group. Since 2016, STRIDE has operated for the advancement of the social welfare and equal treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees at Newport News Shipbuilding and at each of its subsidiaries. Register on MyNNS to receive a calendar invite to attend. For more information, contact Ariel Matthews at 688-0220 or via email.
JANUARY 27
The L.E.A.R.N. Program and Shipbuilders of Huntington Ingalls Professionals (SHIPs) will host an after-work presentation with Newport News Shipbuilding President Jennifer Boykin from 4 until 5 p.m. via WebEx. The event is open to all employees by reservation only. Sign up on MyNNS. No charge is provided. For questions, contact Tanika Vasquez (E08) at 688-7916 or email LEARN@hii-nns.com.
FEBRUARY 10
FEBRUARY 10
FEBRUARY 24
The Spear and Gear Toastmasters Club invites shipbuilders to hear speech presentations, speech evaluations and participate in table topics to develop public speaking, listening and leadership skills from 6 until 7 p.m. via Zoom. Those interested in joining online should contact Jamar Skyles (E03), Paul Gee Jr. (O52) or Tammy Smith (N358) for Zoom meeting information.
MARCH 31
Salaried Newport News Shipbuilding employees and HII corporate employees enrolled in an HII Anthem medical plan must complete a Know Your Numbers health screening and a wellness profile by March 31 to secure savings of $600 on their medical premiums. Visit myquadmed.com/kyn for step-by-step instructions to complete the program.
The Spear and Gear Toastmasters Club invites shipbuilders to hear speech presentations, speech evaluations and participate in table topics to develop public speaking, listening and leadership skills from 6 until 7 p.m. via Zoom. Those interested in joining online should contact Jamar Skyles (E03), Paul Gee Jr. (O52) or Tammy Smith (N358) for Zoom meeting information.
SEEKING SHIPBUILDERS Job Title Req Number Dept. Designer 2 12505, 12631 E68, E13 HII Mechanical – Nuclear 14384 N930 Quality Inspector Summer 2022 Hourly Trade/ 14168 K21 Craft Internship Welder (Trainee, Entry-level & 15504, 15484, X18 Experienced) 15524 Outside Machinist (Trainee, 12964, 12924, X43 Entry-level & Experienced) 12944 Refueler (Experienced) 12965 X43
Visit www.buildyourcareer.com to search for the latest NNS job openings.
Employee Referral Cash Bonus Not Eligible Not Eligible
Remote Work Considered Yes No
Not Eligible
No
Eligible
No
Eligible
No
Eligible
No
HIRING IDEAS
Newport News Shipbuilding needs to hire more than 6,000 employees in 2022. The Talent Acquisition Department welcomes innovative ideas on how to support this effort. Employees are encouraged to send ideas to hiringideas@hii-nns.com.
All positions are located in Newport News unless otherwise noted.
Employees are encouraged to use MyHR or the "Current HII Employees Job Search" button at www.buildyourcareer.com to apply. Visit www.huntingtoningalls.com/careers/refer-a-friend to learn more about the cash bonus awards for referrals to select positions.
Editor: Nicholas Langhorne Currents@hii-nns.com
Currents is published every Monday for employees of Newport News Shipbuilding. To submit a story, visit nns.huntingtoningalls.com/currents.
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