3 l 28 l 2022
A weekly publication of Newport News Shipbuilding
Photo by Ashley Cowan
Wonders of Technology When Jasmyn Jerkins (X42) began her apprenticeship at Newport News Shipbuilding last year, she had no prior experience with a trade. “I came from teaching, so I didn’t know what to expect coming to a trade. But I loved it once I started,” she said. “I went to Welding School and did really well. As I started getting better, it just was rewarding to know that I was doing something I never thought I would and doing well with it.” While Jerkins took to welding, it wasn’t without some initial concerns. “When I first came to the Welding School, I was terrified
of catching myself on fire,” she said. New technology may help ease similar fears for new shipbuilders at NNS. Jerkins was among a group of apprentices who tried out an augmented reality welding machine, a virtual reality paint machine, a handheld laser scanning device and a 3D printer as part of their Digital Shipbuilding and Technology course. It’s a class that was introduced as part of The Apprentice School’s initiative to begin awarding academic degrees. CONTINUED ON PG 2
Shipbuilder’s 65-Year NNS Career Comes to Close Master Shipbuilder Lloyd Joyner Sr. came to Newport News Shipbuilding in 1957 with hopes to attend The Apprentice School. He had been a running back at Smithfield High School – scoring three touchdowns in the state championship game – and wanted to extend his football career as an apprentice. But there was one problem. “Back then, apprentices couldn’t be married. I was engaged and married Betty on Sept. 21, 1957,” Joyner said. While The Apprentice School didn’t work out, he built a satisfying career at NNS that has spanned generations and enabled Joyner
and his wife to raise three children – son, Dee, and daughters, Kim and Karen. The Joyners also have two grandsons, Matthew and Brian, and two great-grandchildren. This month marks Joyner’s 65th anniversary as a shipbuilder and the end of an era. He is retiring at the end of the month. “Over the years and decades, I have seen a lot of changes – not only in the art of shipbuilding – but in this great company,” he said. “The shipyard is the place to be for anyone who is looking for a future and willing to put out the effort and apply themselves.”
Joyner started at NNS in the Mold Loft, using full-sized paper, wooden and box molds. He also worked in the Mold Loft Drawing Room, and worked to help develop ships’ hull body lines. This was during the era in which NNS built both Enterprise (CVN 65) and John F. Kennedy (CV 67). In 1997, Joyner was promoted to Operations supervisor in X10, overseeing carrier units to be erected on ships. Later, David Eberwine asked Joyner to start working on carrier overhauls for SFA Shops exclusively. He became the go-to person, focusing on the upfront ordering of smart... CONTINUED ON PG 2