July 18, 2022

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7 l 18 l 2022

A weekly publication of Newport News Shipbuilding

Photo by Ashley Cowan

Submarine University Builds Relationships Shipbuilders can advance their careers not only by excelling in their jobs, but by gaining a broader understanding of the people and processes around them that bring a ship to life. With that premise in mind, 10 Newport News Shipbuilding employees recently completed two intense weeks of training in Team Submarine Program Management University. It brought together NNS employees with shipbuilders from General Dynamics Electric Boat and the Navy for a series of briefs and problem-solving sessions. The cohort consisted of 31 people. Steve Roberts (K73), who helped coordinate this cohort, said the experience has been developed to enrich an understanding of submarine design and construction, improve business acumen and tactical and strategic leadership skills. It prepares participants to fill emerging submarine program leadership positions within the Virginia- and Columbia-class submarine programs. This was the third cohort of shipbuilders and Navy representatives to complete the program. The first week was held at NNS; the second week was held at Electric Boat. During the weeks at NNS and Electric Boat, participants spent time learning government and shipbuilder organization and functions roles and responsibilities, submarine systems, program management and leadership skills and concepts, and went on comprehensive tours that included the NNS Foundry – which has been pouring castings since before the shipyard – to the new digital and high-tech robots used to build the most advanced submarines in the world.

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Support Students During the School Tools Drive Newport News Shipbuilding’s annual School Tools Drive will help provide school supplies for thousands of students across the area as they prepare for next school year. Shipbuilders are asked to donate new school supplies in support of the drive. See a list of most-needed items and frequently asked questions on MyNNS. Shipbuilders can donate online at YouGiveGoods.com/nns-schooltools-2022 through Aug. 5. Online donations are not taxed and supplies are shipped directly to the selected agency. Purchases are tax deductible. CONTINUED ON PG 2


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Submarine University Builds Relationships CONTINUED FROM PG 1

Besides tours and briefs the cohort gained real value by networking across organizations and sitting down together and sharing ideas. The class broke into groups to discuss various challenges common to both shipyards, such as improving vendor performance, employee safety and workforce readiness. Besides NNS, Electric Boat and Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), the experience also included representatives from Northrop Grumman. Jessica Burton (K07), a program manager in the Columbia Class Program, said the university provided the opportunity to build relationships that will pay dividends going forward. It also gave participants that broader perspective of the entire submarine enterprise. She was thankful to be part of the third cohort. “There is a secret bond and trust between the shipbuilder and submariner,” she said. “It is so important to ensure everyone understands the ‘why’ of what we do every day.”

Pictured from left in the left photo are Howard McCane, head football coach Vince Brown, Paul Massey Jr. and Apprentice School Director of Education Dr. Latitia McCane. Pictured on the right in the right photo is head baseball coach Ben Jones.

Peninsula Sports Club Honors Builders The Peninsula Sports Club recently recognized a pair of Apprentice School Builders during its annual Headliner’s Night banquet. Paul Massey Jr. was named Apprentice School Athlete of the Year. A native of Waldorf, Maryland, Massey has been an outstanding leader since starting his apprenticeship in summer 2018. As a safety and linebacker, Massey has been named a team captain in all four years thus far, while starting every game of his career. This past season, he received the Builders Defensive MVP Award, and he is a United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) All-Academic recipient.

First-year Apprentice School baseball head coach Ben Jones and the Builders were recognized with a Thad Madden award, following their 2022 USCAA National Championship in May. The fifth-seeded Builders rallied to a 23-17 win over fourth-seeded Miami-Hamilton after trailing by as many as 13 runs. The Apprentice School is the first team to lose its opener and work all the way through the elimination bracket to win the title in the history of the Small College World Series. It was the third national title in Apprentice School baseball history, following championships in 2007 and 2015.

Support Students During the School Tools Drive CONTINUED FROM PG 1

Weatherproof containers will be located inside the gates at turnstiles for convenient supply drop off. For department competitions and fundraisers, boxes will be available for pick up at Bldg. 103 and Shipyard Drive (southeast bay door) and NetCenter, beginning Wednesday, July 20. The drive will support students served by departments of social services in Newport News, Hampton and York County/ Poquoson; Boys & Girls Clubs of the Virginia Peninsula; ForKids/Homeless Assistance; and An Achievable Dream. For more information, email CorporateCitizenship@hii-nns.com.

U.S. Navy photo

NNS-Built Ships Participate in RIMPAC USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and USS Charlotte (SSN 766), both built at Newport News Shipbuilding, are among the vessels currently participating in the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. Twenty-six nations and approximately 25,000 personnel are participating in the 28th exercise of RIMPAC. The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC is a unique training opportunity designed to foster and sustain relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s interconnected oceans.


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AROUND THE YARD NNS Accepting Applications for Fall 2022 Co-ops Newport News Shipbuilding Talent Acquisition is accepting applications for paid part-time Co-op positions in Business Management, Engineering, IT and Supply Chain Management. College students can work up to 20 hours a week and must be full-time students with a minimum 2.5 GPA. These are terrific opportunities for students to “earn while they learn” gaining realworld work experience at NNS while still attending school. Preferred majors include accounting, business administration/ management, computer science, economics, engineering, finance and supply chain management.

The Columbia-Class Submarine Program recently celebrated important milestones.

To learn more or apply, search for reqs 23455, 23545, 23462 and 23544 by division “Newport News Shipbuilding” at buildyourcareer.com. Applications will be accepted until July 21.

Columbia-Class Submarine Program Celebrates Milestones

NNS employees are encouraged to share these hiring opportunities. For questions about Co-ops, contact Lauren Jones, university relations recruiter for NNS Talent Acquisition (K21).

In recognition of the team’s efforts, the Columbia program held an appreciation cookout at the new Ship Join Bay. The event recognized approximately 500 shipbuilders across all three shifts whose efforts contributed to these recent achievements.

Enterprise (CVN 80) Keel Laying Ceremony Set for August Newport News Shipbuilding will host a keel laying ceremony for Enterprise (CVN 80) at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 27. Employees interested in attending should continue to read Currents for information on how to request tickets to the event. The Communications Division is also seeking employees to support the event in the following roles: •

Event staff – bus escorts, parking attendants, site staff and ushers

National anthem singer

Employees interested in volunteering at the event or singing the national anthem should email ShipbuildingEvents@hii-nns.com.

The Columbia-class submarine construction team at Newport News Shipbuilding recently celebrated milestones that pulled together employees across the value stream to support tight schedules for a program that is critical to maintaining the nation’s strategic deterrence.

“This event was important to identify and personally thank the shipbuilders on the Columbia team who have worked tirelessly over the last year,” said Christa Riley (K07), Columbia program manager. “Without their hard work and dedication, these milestones would not be possible.” This progress reinforces NNS’ commitment to the Columbia program to both the Navy and General Dynamics Electric Boat. It also emphasizes the strides that the company has made on a first-of-class boat, while working under a first-of-its-kind contract for NNS.

Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 Cases reported at NNS from July 4-17: 268 See updates at nns.huntingtoningalls.com/411


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DATEBOOK JULY 19

Join The Learning Organization at noon for a lunch and learn with Don Godwin, vice president of Business Management and chief financial officer, who will share the importance of business and technical acumen and how all shipbuilders can lead wherever they are by using these leadership competencies. Register on MyNNS. For additional information, contact Vickie Robinson via email.

JULY 20

Newport News Shipbuilding Talent Acquisition is hosting an in-person trades hiring event at the DoubleTree Kingsmill hotel in Williamsburg from 8 a.m. until noon. This event is open to the public for job seekers interested in trainee, entry-level and experienced fitter (X11) and welder (X18) positions. Job seekers will have the opportunity to have their applications reviewed in-person by NNS recruiters and be interviewed if qualified. Offers will be made that day. Pay is $21+ per hour, with a $500 sign-on bonus and up to $1,500 to relocate for trainee and entry-level positions.

JULY 26

Join the Hispanic Outreach and Leadership Alliance (HOLA) and a special group of eager and willing mentors for the employee resource group’s first Virtual Speed Mentoring Session from 5 until 6:15 p.m. Meet, learn from and seek one-on-one advice from NNS managers from every level in the business, including NNS President Jennifer Boykin; Brandi Smith, vice president of Columbia-Class Submarine Construction; and Gary Fuller, vice president of Fleet Support Programs. Spots for participants are limited, and the event will be held via Zoom. Sign up on MyNNS.

JULY 28

Spear and Gear Toastmasters welcomes all shipbuilders to a virtual Toastmasters meeting at 6 p.m. on Zoom. Toastmasters is a safe and welcoming environment for those seeking to enhance their communication and leadership skills. If interested in joining, reach out to the following for Zoom information and to RSVP: Tammy Smith (N358), Paul Gee Jr. (O52) or Jamar Skyles (E03) at NNS and Taylor Chamberlain (E91) at KSO.

JULY 30

Join The Apprentice School Student Association at Kingsmill Resort at 7:30 a.m. for its first golf tournament in support of breast cancer awareness. The entry fee will be $100 per person, with teams of four. Each team must include at least one apprentice or alumnus to participate. Lunch will be provided along with raffles and giveaways. We hope to see you on the course. RSVP at ApprenticeStudents.com/events. For more information, contact Jessica Lawson via email or at 757-703-6090.

AUGUST 12-14

Join shipbuilders and vehicle enthusiasts as they ride the “Back of the Dragon” to cure cancer and help those affected in our community. Accommodations are available at a local mansion on a first come, first served basis. The event supports the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Contact Eric Olsen to RSVP or if you have questions.

AUGUST 15

The Apprentice School is applying for reaffirmation of accreditation with the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education. Persons wishing to make comments should write to the Executive Director, Commission of the Council on Occupational Education, 7840 Roswell Rd., Bldg. 300, Suite 325, Atlanta, GA 30350, or submit their comments via the Council website (www.council.org). Persons making comments must provide their names and mailing addresses.

NNS Working to Meet New Federal Guidelines The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) now requires all preservative coatings be stripped back at least 4 inches from an area of heat application before starting any hot work. The previous standard was 2 inches, per a longstanding agreement with Newport News Shipbuilding. Check MyNNS for the most recent information and a list of FAQs. OSHA has suggested ways to lessen the impact of this change while still ensuring shipbuilders’ safety. In support, NNS has stood up a Global Paint Strip Back Team led by Engineering Manager David Cash (E42) to assist Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S), which is sponsoring the effort.

AUGUST 20

Women in Shipbuilding Enterprise (WiSE) will host a Rosie the Riveter Rally from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Huntington Park (Shelter 3). Dr. Latitia McCane, director of Education at The Apprentice School, and Julia Jones, vice president of Manufacturing and Industrial Manufacturing and Systems Engineering will speak. WiSE will collect school supplies to contribute to the TATTOO program (NNS Tutoring). This event is open to all NNS employees, and no charge number will be provided for attending. Register on MyNNS. Email WiSEhamptonroads@hii-nns.com for more information.

SEEKING SHIPBUILDERS Job Title Req Number Dept. College Student Co-ops 23455, 23545, K21 (Business Management, 23462, 23544 Engineering, IT & Supply Chain Management) Crane Operator (Experienced) 23645 X36 Engineer Industrial 2 19674 X51 Engineer Lead Test 2 19286 E84 Engineer Manufacturing 2 22137 O52 Fitters 22406, 22424, X11 22426, 22425 HII Mechanical Machine Shop 22333 N960 Foreman Welders 22525, 22524, X18 22484, 22464

Visit www.buildyourcareer.com to search for the latest NNS job openings.

Employee Referral Cash Bonus Not Eligible

Remote Work Considered No

Eligible Not Eligible Not Eligible Not Eligible Eligible

No No No Yes No

Not Eligible

No

Eligible

No

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.


July 18, 2022 Dear HII Teammates, I wanted to take a moment to let you know what I have heard and learned from you, our employees, over the last 100 days as HII’s CEO, and what I will continue to focus on going forward. In visits and listening sessions with HII teams across multiple states, I’ve been reminded of the dedication, discipline and resiliency of this workforce. Our shared values and mission to serve the national defense remain our foundation. Joined with you in that mission, as I reflect on these past three months here are my top three expectations of what it means to be part of this great company: 1.

Our culture of ethics and compliance is our cornerstone. First and foremost will always be our shared values of integrity, safety, respect, engagement, responsibility and performance. We need to compete and be successful, but for wins to count, they need to be consistent with our values. Our work is too essential for anything less, and as we evolve, it is our responsibility to safeguard our ethical culture.

2.

Execute on our commitments. This is simply doing what we say we are going to do. It sounds simple, but it’s not always easy given the complexities of our business. My expectation is for our team to work with a sense of responsibility and urgency, always remembering our mission. Our ships, technologies and solutions are needed now more than ever, and it is imperative we deliver on our commitments, while never sacrificing quality or safety. Our customers, shareholders and employees expect continued and consistent execution.

3.

Take ownership of our work. Every job we perform matters. From the person responsible for keeping our facilities clean and safe from hazards, to the shipbuilder installing a technical component on a ship, or an instructor teaching a course. I expect every HII employee to understand the details of their work and to own every success, failure, problem and solution. We succeed as one team, and how we take on our collective responsibility defines who we are.

It has been a busy 100 days. I anticipate the pace will not relent. It will take all our focused energy and dedication now to execute as expected, and to grow. Given this team and our track record of commitment to mission, I am more confident than ever in our ability to deliver. Respectfully,

Chris Kastner President and CEO


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