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A weekly publication of Newport News Shipbuilding
Photo by Ashley Cowan
Apprentice School Graduates 154 Newport News Shipbuilding hosted commencement exercises on April 17 for 154 graduates of The Apprentice School. Due to the COVID-19 environment, and in an effort to keep all employees, staff, graduates and their guests safe, the ceremony was held outdoors at the Hampton Roads Convention Center in Hampton. “A drive-in movie-style graduation is likely not what you expected, but I think it’s pretty safe to say that the past year in many ways isn’t what any of us expected,” said NNS President Jennifer Boykin. “Graduating from The Apprentice School is not an easy feat and when you couple the long hours balancing your work and your studies, along with new obstacles you faced this year, like remote learning and working with your entire family in the same area, it makes this accomplishment even more extraordinary,” Boykin told
the graduates. “The lessons you’ve learned during the past year have molded you in a way unlike any other apprenticeship experience. The past 12 months, with all its twists and turns it’s brought, have helped train you for challenges yet to come. It is your ability to adapt and your innovative spirit that will help Newport News Shipbuilding continue to thrive, and it’s that spirit that will help our United States Navy be the absolute best it can be.” The commencement address was delivered by Howard Hoege III, president of The Mariners’ Museum and Park, who shared a message on leadership. Rebekah Jones, a member of The Apprentice School’s Class of 2023, sang the national anthem. Mark Byerly received the Homer L. Ferguson Award, which recognizes the apprentice graduating with the highest honors. CONTINUED ON PG 2
Benefits Annual Enrollment Begins Today Benefits annual enrollment is April 19-30. Newport News Shipbuilding employees should use this time to review their benefits and make changes as needed. During annual enrollment, shipbuilders should: • Update their tobacco-use status: United Steelworkers, guards and salaried employees who do not use tobacco must update their status to “tobacco-free” to save $660 on their Huntington Ingalls Industries medical insurance starting July 1. • Re-enroll in health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSAs): Employees enrolled in FSAs must re-enroll to maintain coverage.
• Review benefit changes: Employees should review their plan options and make sure they have the coverage they need for themselves and their families. Employees can make changes to their benefits and update their tobacco-use status on UPoint through www.hiibenefits.com or by calling the Huntington Ingalls Benefits Center at 1-877-216-3222. To learn more about HII’s benefits, employees can explore the new virtual benefits fair at www.hii.vfairs.com or access the ALEX decision support tool at www.myalex.com/hii/home/hiibenefits.
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4 | 19 | 2021 improve operational efficiency. “We were pleased that Adm. Gilday had the opportunity to visit Newport News and hear from our dedicated shipbuilders,” said NNS President Jennifer Boykin. “These visits ensure alignment with the Navy and allow us to demonstrate our focus on continuous improvement, innovative use of technologies, and uncompromising commitment to safety, quality, cost and schedule – all of which enable us to provide our Navy with the ships they need, when they need them, to ensure our national security.”
Adm. Mike Gilday meets with shipbuilders, including apprentices Kristin Brensinger, foreground, and Rebecca Arnold, right. Photo by Ben Scott
Chief of Naval Operations visits NNS Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday visited Newport News Shipbuilding April 14 to receive updates on each of the shipyard’s major programs, recent investments in new facilities and advancements with integrated digital shipbuilding to
Gilday visited the submarine construction complex to see modules and assemblies from the 12 Virginia-class submarines currently under construction. He also visited the facilities where aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) is under construction and USS George Washington (CVN 73) is undergoing final outfitting and test activities in its refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH). “It was important for me to come here and see the work being done firsthand,” Gilday said. “No doubt, Virginia-class submarines and our nuclear-powered aircraft carriers will be important parts of our future naval force. I’m excited to see these ships come to life over the months and years to come, and I don’t want anyone to forget the fact that our sailors are depending on the quality work done here and need to leave ready for the fight.”
Apprentice School Graduates 154 CONTINUED FROM PG 1
A nuclear test technician at the Kenneth A. Kesselring Site in Ballston Spa, New York, Byerly completed his associate degree in electrical engineering at Tidewater Community College in December 2020. He is working toward a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering technology and a minor in mechanical engineering technology from Old Dominion University. In his pre-recorded remarks to graduates, Byerly discussed his many setbacks, his joining the U.S. Marines and his first job at the shipyard working as an electrician on USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78). “The one thing I’ve found, the one thing I continue to see is that we will all fail at some point – it’s how you get back up and keep fighting that makes the difference,” said Byerly, 32, a husband and father of three children. “Whether you choose to let your failures define your life, or you use them to shape and mold you, to power through them and allow them to build you into maybe not who you wanted to be, or where you saw yourself being, but to where you are meant to be in life. Failure is inherent to life. But what’s not inherent, and what takes real courage, and real strength, is standing back up after you’ve been knocked down and pressing on.”
BUSINESS ETHICS SURVEY
As a reminder, the 2021 Huntington Ingalls Industries Business Ethics Survey is ongoing through April 30. Employees with company computer access should have received an email from Ethics and Compliance Initiative (ethicssurvey6@ethics.org) with the subject, “EXT: 2021 Huntington Ingalls Industries Ethics Survey Invitation.” The email is approved and it is appropriate to open the link to participate in the survey. If you received this email, but deleted it, you can still participate in the survey online using your MyID, which can be found in Outlook or on paystubs. Employees without company computer access can take the survey online, via the NNS to Go app, MyNNS or by visiting a Newport News Shipbuilding survey site. For more information about this year’s survey, including charging instructions, read a flyer or Distribution A memo.
Traditionally, all graduates ring The Apprentice School bell as they cross the stage. This year, however, Savanna Wooten, the last graduate to walk across the stage during Saturday’s ceremony, rang the bell to represent the entire class. Photo by Lena Wallace
Visit nns.huntingtoningalls.com/graduation to watch a replay of the entire ceremony as well as congratulatory video messages from family and friends of graduates.
NNS Recognized for Sustainability Efforts
Newport News Shipbuilding’s SOAR program recently accepted a Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award in the sustainability program category. SOAR is an acronym for stop pollution, obey rules, always improve and reduce waste. From 2015 to 2020, NNS recycled more than 198 tons of various materials and reused more than 69,135 tons. Watch a video on MyNNS about recycling efforts at NNS.
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AROUND THE YARD USS George Washington (CVN 73) Celebrates Milestone USS George Washington (CVN 73) celebrated the reopening of the aft crew mess with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 16. The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier is in the final stages of testing, which is designed to exercise all aspects of the propulsion plant systems and will certify the systems and components for future operations over the next 25 years of service. The refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) is more than 85% complete, and the ship is on track to be redelivered to the Navy in 2022. Pictured from left are Capt. Kenneth Strong, the ship’s commanding officer; Thomasina Wright, CVN 73 program director; and Scott Menkes, deputy project supervisor for Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Newport News. U.S. Navy photo
Volunteer Spotlight: Brian Ridley Jr. April 18-24 is National Volunteer Week. Read below to learn why Brian Ridley Jr. (X67) is among the shipbuilders who serve the community. Visit nns.yourcause.com to learn about volunteer opportunities. “I want to help my community and continue to make a change in people’s lives. Oftentimes, we are so busy in our day to day lives, we don’t have the time to give back. I found that SEEKnns gave me opportunities to do my part of giving back in a small, but largely impactful way. Volunteering lets you meet people from all walks of life. It gives you the chance to form real relationships that can have a lasting impact on your life and the lives of others. Just that feeling alone helps me feel like I’m changing the world for my own children and family along with touching the lives of others. “Although the Coronavirus pandemic showed up, our SEEKnns team still made a way for us to still do our part through the difficult times. It didn’t stop our vision to help the community, it only made us innovative in our process.” Shipbuilders can register on MyNNS to attend a virtual National Volunteer Week Celebration at noon on April 21. The speakers are Xavier Beale, vice president of Trades, and Angelo Maker (X44).
Apprentice School Athletic Awards The Apprentice School Class of 2020 graduates listed below earned athletic awards. For a list of other awards, visit nns.huntingtoningalls.com/graduation and view the program. Baseball Brent Lee Byrum Paul Taylor Hampton Gevin Chase Nixon James Robert Williams Jr. Men’s Basketball Brandon Rayshad Joyner Samuel Robert Morris
Football Rodney Jamal Addison Jr. Jakwon Anthony Chambers Malek Deshawn Lyles Louis Joseph Picolo Jr. McArthur Txia Scott Golf Matthew Jordan Plogger
Austin Logan Saylor Women’s Basketball Aquazia Simone Jones Wrestling Colton Kern Messick William Edward Sorey
COVID-19 Updates Self-report vaccine if received outside NNS Newport News Shipbuilding employees can self-report if they have received a vaccine in the community. It is not mandatory, but the company will get a more accurate picture of vaccinations across the workforce, a major factor in deciding whether to ease restrictions such as mask wearing and social distancing. To record your status, log on to UPoint from www.hiibenefits.com. Then click the COVID-19 Self-Reporting Banner at the top of the page and follow instructions. If you received a vaccine at the NNS Vaccination Site, there is no need to self-report.
Eligible spouses, dependents can receive vaccinations Newport News Shipbuilding employee spouses and dependents ages 16 and older can visit myquadmed.com/hii-nns/covid to sign up for free vaccines at the NNS Vaccination Site if covered by an Anthem medical plan offered through Huntington Ingalls Industries. According to QuadMed, which administers the vaccines and operates the HII Family Health Center, vaccines are more plentiful, although supplies vary from week to week so availability is not guaranteed.
Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 Cases reported last week: 62
Total cases at NNS: 3,445
Total number of NNS employees medically cleared to return to work: 2,741
See case details at nns.huntingtoningalls.com/411.
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DATEBOOK APRIL 20
Join WiSE from noon until 12:30 p.m. via WebEx for an education and skills development event on facilitation. No charge number will be provided. Register on MyNNS.
APRIL 21
Join Newport News Shipbuilding Gives to celebrate National Volunteer Week via WebEx from noon until 12:30 p.m. Xavier Beale, vice president of Trades, and NNS volunteer Angelo Maker (X44) will speak during the event. Sign up on MyNNS.
APRIL 21
Join Engineering & Design and I&DENTITY from noon until 12:30 p.m. for a Virtual Learning Session (VLS) on Unconscious Bias 102. The session will include a recap of Unconscious Bias 101 and dig into three additional types of unconscious biases, how they might show up in the workplace, and what you can do to avoid them. Sign up on MyNNS to receive a calendar invite to attend. No charge is provided. For questions and concerns, email E&D Connections.
APRIL 22
Spear and Gear Toastmasters welcomes all shipbuilders to a joint Toastmasters Zoom meeting with the Langley Toastmasters Club, located in Hampton, at 6 p.m. For more information, RSVP to the club’s email address: SpearandGearToastmastersClub@gmail.com.
APRIL 27
The Engagement and Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I) offices invite shipbuilders to join a Lunch and Learn Action Planning Progression Session from noon until 12:30 p.m. Attendees will learn how to make changes and updates to their team’s “one thing” Gallup Access. Attendees also will learn how to use the “State of the Team” tool in reference to action planning. Register on MyNNS.
APRIL 28
Join Engineering & Design and the E&D Change Agent Team from noon until 12:30 p.m. for a Virtual Learning Session (VLS) on work-life balance for managers. Managers have more influence over the work-life balance of their direct reports than you might think. As a participant, you will learn some tips and tools to help you give your people what they need to better manage their work-life while increasing their productivity and engagement. You do not have to be a manager to attend, leaders can apply these tips and tools. Sign up on MyNNS to receive a calendar invite to attend. No charge is provided. For questions and concerns, email E&D Connections.
APRIL 28
Join the Veteran Employee Resource Group (VERG) at 4 p.m. for a discussion about veterans benefits and Virginia state legislation with Bill Ashton, chairman of the Joint Leadership Council for Veterans. This will be a Zoom event and is open to all NNS employees. No charge number will be provided. The Zoom meeting ID is 89897672430. Register on MyNNS. For more information, visit VERG’s website or contact Clara Anderson via email.
ISO 9001:2015 Surveillance Audit Planned April 27-29 Newport News Shipbuilding will undergo a surveillance audit of its Quality Management System (QMS) April 27-29. The American Bureau of Shipbuilding Quality Evaluations (ABS-QE) will conduct these audits.
APRIL 29
The audit team will review work documents associated with many of the areas of the shipyard, including records for equipment calibration, training, production control, product testing, internal audits, and corrective and preventive actions.
APRIL 29
Auditors may also request to randomly interview employees in both nuclear and non-nuclear work areas about work procedures to evaluate their work practices, overall awareness of Newport News’ quality management policies and the knowledge of the impact their work has. Employees should answer questions about how they normally accomplish their work.
The L.E.A.R.N. Program and the Generational Integration Focus Team (GIFT) will host an after-work presentation with Jonathan Arena, vice president and chief counsel, from 3:30 until 4:30 p.m. via WebEx. The event is open to all employees by reservation only. Sign up on the L.E.A.R.N. website on MyNNS. No charge is provided. For questions, contact Tanika Vasquez (E08) at 688-7916, Chris Porro (E47) at 534-0332, or email LEARN@hii-nns.com. Shipbuilders Together Realizing Inclusion, Diversity and Equality (STRIDE) is participating in Dining Out for Life. This event helps provide prevention education and outreach for the LGBTQ+ and HIV community. Check out the STRIDE website on MyNNS for more information and a list of participating restaurants. However, you may dine out at any restaurant and make a donation separately to support the cause.
MAY 15-16
The NNS 5K is now the BeWell for Life 5K. This year’s event will be a virtual race held on the weekend of May 15 and 16. Interested employees and their friends and family members can register now through May 14 at quadmedical.redpodium.com/bewell-for-life-5k. The first 200 registrants will receive a free T-shirt.
JUNE 26
Newport News Shipbuilding and BayPort Credit Union are sponsoring the Peninsula Relay For Life Drive-Thru Luminaria Event from 6:30 until 9:30 p.m. Luminarias will be lit to honor cancer survivors and caregivers or in remembrance of those lost to cancer. These flames burn during the event to serve as a reminder of the purpose of Relay for Life. Luminarias will be $10 for one bag or $25 for three bags. Visit www.RelayforLife.org/NNS to donate.
During previous audits, several people and departments were asked about their work processes. Managers, general foremen and supervisors should emphasize to employees the importance of having knowledge of their work procedures and working to authorized procedures and drawings. A successful audit will maintain the shipyard’s ISO 9001 certificate for the Quality Management System. The shipyard was first certified to ISO 9001 in 1993 and has renewed the certification every three years since. For more information, contact Brent Ruffy (O04) at 688-1439.
SEEKING SHIPBUILDERS
Visit www.buildyourcareer.com to search for the latest NNS job openings.
Job Title
Req Number
Dept.
Location
Engineer Systems Test 3
3193
E25
Newport News
Employees are encouraged to use MyHR or the “Current HII Employees Job Search” button at www.buildyourcareer.com to apply. The company continues to offer cash bonus awards for referrals to select positions, visit www.huntingtoningalls.com/hii-careers/refer-a-friend for more information.