5 l 17 l 2021
A weekly publication of Newport News Shipbuilding
Vaccinated Shipbuilders Can Shed Face Coverings Newport News Shipbuilding employees who are fully vaccinated are no longer required to wear face coverings, more than one year after they were mandated to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The changes align with new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Defense and state officials.
Shipbuilders are constructing Enterprise (CVN 80) units in the North Yard. Photo by Ashley Cowan
Enterprise (CVN 80) Begins to Take Shape
The future of shipbuilding can be found on Newport News Shipbuilding’s Final Assembly Platen. That is where shipbuilders are using visual work instructions and modular construction to build Enterprise (CVN 80). With the Navy’s demand for more aircraft carriers in its fleet, NNS turned to digital shipbuilding for a more efficient build process. Shipbuilders use visual work instructions programmed on mobile tablets to identify parts and materials on their jobsites. “Working with visual work instructions instead of paper drawings has been really nice,” said Rebecca Arnold, a pipefitter apprentice. “Integrating visual work instructions with our building process has made jobs easier and more understandable. There is less rework.” So far, Steel Fabrication has completed 179 of a total 1,066 units. Modular construction allows shipbuilders to weld units together before the iconic “Big Blue” crane lifts them into neighboring Dry Dock 12. Throughout the aircraft carrier’s construction, fewer lifts will happen, but with more weight – called superlifts. “We are in the process of building the first 11 superlifts,” said Mike Butler, CVN 80 construction director. The aircraft carrier will take its shape when the units are moved into Dry Dock 12.
Unvaccinated employees and those going through the vaccination process must still wear a face covering while at work and are subject to discipline, up to and including termination, if found to be unvaccinated and not wearing a mask and unable to maintain social distance. Unvaccinated employees can remove their masks only in the following instances at NNS: • If you are not moving from one place to another and if you are 6 feet from another person. • When requested by Security for identity verification. • When wearing NNS-approved respirators to perform your job. • When performing hot work. In order to track which employees are able to go mask free, Huntington Ingalls Industries is requiring all employees to self-report their vaccination status in UPoint if they received a COVID-19 vaccine in the community by logging into UPoint from www.hiibenefits.com. Once logged in, click the “COVID-19 Self-Reporting” banner at the top of the homepage, read the instructions and fill out the brief questionnaire. Shipbuilders do not need to self-report on UPoint if they were vaccinated at NNS through QuadMed.
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NNS to Hold Second Shipyard Vaccination Event For the second time this month, Newport News Shipbuilding employees who want a COVID-19 vaccine can receive one in the shipyard. Mobile vaccination sites will be held Wednesday, May 26, through Friday, May 28, from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. No appointment is necessary, and the sites will be at the following locations: • Wednesday, May 26: North Yard, CMAF, first floor conference room and break area. • Thursday, May 27: South Yard, Bldg. 4633-3, HME Room, southeast of Dry Dock 1. • Friday, May 28: Mid-Yard, Bldg. 4931-1 Assembly Room, east of the MOF. The medical staff at QuadMed, which operates the HII Family Health Center, will administer second shots to employees who received their first dose during the May 5-7 in-yard vaccine event. NNS employees seeking their first injection are also welcome to participate. For this group, second shots will be scheduled at the HII Family Health Center. The Moderna and Pfizer vaccines offered by NNS require two injections, and employees are paid up to 1.5 hours each time they receive a dose of the vaccine. Pay will not be offered once the transition to the health center occurs.
The upcoming events will give shipbuilders an opportunity to be vaccinated inside shipyard gates. Photo by Ashley Cowan
Vaccines are not mandatory at NNS, but they are highly encouraged as a way for shipbuilders to safeguard their own health as well as other employees. Full vaccination is also required before shipbuilders are allowed to remove their masks at work.
“Before I graduated, I applied to the shipyard because I like to work with my hands and be creative, plus I think the shipyard is the only job straight out of high school that will pay you $18 an hour with no experience and provide you with good benefits,” said Yaomi Garcia-Rodriguez. “I get to work with my brother. Whenever we work together, we have a better understanding on what the job entails. It feels great having someone that I know and trust since the first day I arrived at NNS. We actually work together very often, and it is just a blessing.”
Twin brothers Yaomi and Yoemi Garcia-Rodriguez started working at NNS on the same day last September. Photo by Ashley Cowan
Building a Talent Pipeline Newport News Shipbuilding Talent Acquisition and Workforce Development partnered to increase outreach and recruiting efforts to local high school seniors interested in working at the shipyard after graduation. Since 2018, NNS has hired more than 60 high school seniors to either work for NNS or join The Apprentice School. Twin brothers Yaomi and Yoemi Garcia-Rodriguez, both X42 pipefitters, started working at NNS on the same day last September, as soon as they both turned 18 and graduated from Denbigh High School in Newport News. Both brothers had participated in the career and technical education program at New Horizons in Newport News.
His brother Yoemi Garcia-Rodriguez added, “I wanted to have a good career. I did not want to struggle to find a good job after graduation. I wanted to make my family proud – especially my dad because he brought us to the United States. I wanted to prove to my dad that what he did for me and my family was a good thing, because if it wasn’t for him, I would not be here.” NNS is hiring for numerous entry-level and trainee trades positions that do not require experience, including blasters, fitters, outside machinists, pipefitters, riggers and welders. Shipbuilders are encouraged to share these opportunities with friends and family who may be interested. Visit buildyourcareer.com for more information.
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AROUND THE YARD ASIAN ERG Hosts Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Event Newport News Shipbuilding’s Asian Shipbuilders Including All Nationalities (ASIAN) employee resource group hosted its annual Asian Pacific American Heritage Month event Thursday, May 13. The event, held virtually, paid tribute to the contributions of generations of Asian Pacific Americans to American history, society and culture. “At NNS, it is important to have events like this to educate one another, create a forum for fun and healthy dialogue, and to promote engagement, diversity and inclusion,” said Brent Ruffy (O04), who is member of the ASIAN ERG board. During the event, two shipbuilders – Bunnareth Hem (E14) and
Allen Valencia (E33) – shared their personal stories about the Asian American experience. “This year, Asian Pacific American Heritage Month has meant more than it ever has before, giving us a chance to celebrate and share the joy, togetherness, and support our cultures and communities offer,” said Katiana Slaton (E46), another member of the ASIAN ERG board. “With so many of our people under attack in the past two years, it is increasingly important to continue to share an open dialogue of inclusion in our country. Being part of ASIAN gives us the opportunity to have those conversations, and I feel incredibly blessed to be part of a company like NNS that puts such value on diversity and inclusion and the strength it brings to our workforce.”
Shipbuilder Steering the Way Matthew Grizzle (O15) was honored with a Level One On-the-Spot Ethics Award for exceeding the expectation of his duties and acting with the care of maintaining the safety for the people around him. After responding to an emergency medical services call in the Joint Manufacturing and Assembly Facility, Grizzle found a shipbuilder performing CPR on a fellow employee. Upon request, Grizzle took over and continued to perform CPR until EMTs arrived on scene. Bryan Caccavale, vice president of Material, Manufacturing and Plant Operations, recently met with Grizzle to thank him for his actions and present his award. Pictured from left are Matthew Grizzle and Bryan Caccavale.
Watch the Stern for a VirginiaClass Submarine Depart NNS Watch a video on MyNNS or on the NNS to Go app to see shipbuilders prepare the stern for Virginia-class submarine Idaho (SSN 799) for transportation to General Dynamics Electric Boat. Idaho is the 26th Virginia-class submarine being constructed as part of a teaming agreement between NNS and Electric Boat. Photo by Ashley Cowan
Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 Cases reported last week: 9
Total cases at NNS: 3,547
Total number of NNS employees medically cleared to return to work: 2,896
See case details at nns.huntingtoningalls.com/411.
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DATEBOOK MAY 18 AND 19
MAY 27
Are you at risk for Type 2 diabetes? PreventT2 is a yearlong, 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. To learn more and to register for virtual sessions that begin May 18 and 19, visit www.myquadmed.com/hii/T2.
Spear and Gear Toastmasters Club invites shipbuilders to meet online at 6 p.m. for the second joint Zoom meeting with Langley Toastmasters club. Hear club members speech presentations, participate in table topics and hear speech evaluations to develop public speaking, listening and leadership skills. Email spearandgeartoastmastersclub@gmail.com with a personal email address or contact Michael Miller (E37) or Jamar Skyles (E03) via email.
MAY 19
JUNE 2
Looking to improve your finances? Sign up for SmartPath’s budgeting webinar at noon to learn how to track your money and create an effective budget. Register at www.joinsmartpath.com/hii/classes.
MAY 19
Join Engineering & Design and the Project Management Shipbuilder Association (PMSA) from noon until 12:30 p.m. for a Virtual Learning Session (VLS) on PMSA. PMSA’s mission is to introduce and maintain a companywide approach to project and program management by developing people and enhancing their project management skills in accordance with industry leading Project Management Institute (PMI) standards. Sign up on MyNNS. No charge is provided. For questions and concerns, email E&D Connections.
MAY 26
Join Engineering & Design and Heather Westmoreland from the iDS Communications Team from noon until 12:30 p.m. for a Virtual Learning Session (VLS) on Organizational Change Management (OCM). Every organization will, at some point undergo a transition or change. OCM is a framework for managing the effects of organizational change by helping stakeholders through the commitment curve, applying the five work stream toolkit and reducing fear and frustration. Sign up on MyNNS. No charge is provided. For questions and concerns, email E&D Connections.
UPDATE: Parking and Transportation Office Location The Parking & Transportation Office has moved locations and is now located in the southeast corner of Bldg. 103-1 (at the first roll-up door). The office is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. For questions or assistance with parking and transportation-related matters, please contact LaToria ”Tory” Kennedy (O45) at 273-2349 or send an email to ParkingSolutions@hii-nns.com.
Join Engineering & Design and Jeff Kettler from noon until 12:30 p.m. for a Virtual Learning Session (VLS) on MyVideo. MyVideo is a content management system much like YouTube. It allows you to search, share and like videos. You can also add videos to your favorites, leave comments on videos and link videos to SharePoint sites. Sign up on MyNNS. For questions and concerns, email E&D Connections.
JUNE 4
Join Marcus W. Robbins, Norfolk Naval Shipyard command historian and archivist, at noon for a virtual lecture titled “From Norfolk to Normandy: Ships from the Old Norfolk Navy Yard at D-Day.” He will share stories of the men and women at Portsmouth’s old Norfolk Navy Yard, and how their work helped take the fight “Over There.” Register at MarinersMuseum.org.
JUNE 10
The Spear and Gear Toastmasters Club invites shipbuilders to meet online at 6 p.m. with club members to hear speech presentations, participate in table topics and hear speech evaluations to develop public speaking, listening and leadership skills. Email spearandgeartoastmastersclub@gmail.com with a personal email address or contact Michael Miller (E37) or Jamar Skyles (E03) via email.
JUNE 11
Join the Apprentice Athletic Club for the 16th annual F. Farrell Sanders Builder Backer Golf Classic at Ford’s Colony Country Club. All proceeds benefit Builder athletics. The cost is $85 per individual or $340 per foursome. Entry fee includes green fee, carts, range balls, virtual scoring, lunch, and Builder Backer gift. Contact Mark Tomlin (O22) at 757-303-8947 to sign up through May 28. Check in 30 minutes prior to 8:30 a.m. shotgun start. Go Builders!
JUNE 16
NNS Spear & Gear, Newport News Shipbuilding’s online company store, will host a pop-up sale from 6 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. outside Bldg. 520. All items – including a wide variety of company-logoed apparel, products and merchandise – will be 50% off marked prices. Shop online 24/7 with free shipping at www.nnsSpearAndGear.com. Please note: the 50% off sale applies only to items at the pop-up, not items in the online store.
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. at Hampton Roads Academy. 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, register or join our team.
SEEKING SHIPBUILDERS
Visit www.buildyourcareer.com to search for the latest NNS job openings.
Job Title
Req Number
Dept.
Location
CNC Machinist (Pipe) Engineer Electrical 3 Engineer Electrical 3 Engineer Electrical 3 Engineer Electromechanical 4 Engineer Electromechanical 4 Engineer Software 3 Engineer Software 3 Engineer Systems Test 3 Safety Technician 3
5822 805 806 1353 813 4528 802 804 5828 5193
X42 E56 E70 E70 E70 E70 E44 E44 E25 O27
Newport News Newport News Newport News Newport News Newport News Newport News Newport News Newport News Newport News 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.
Editor: Nicholas Langhorne
Contributing Writers: Hugh Lessig and Lena Wallace 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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