Sept. 13, 2021 by Newport News Shipbuilding

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A weekly publication of Newport News Shipbuilding

Photo by Aaron Pritchett

Stennis RCOH Moves Forward The refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) of USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) is well underway at Newport News Shipbuilding. Craftsmen and craftswomen from different departments recently worked together to remove a section of the ship’s flight deck to provide access to other levels of CVN 74. After undertaking several steps to prepare for removal of the ship’s machinery opening – a more than 38,000-pound section that includes six different compartments – shipbuilders cut and lifted the section. The section is now in Dry Dock 10, where it will undergo more work before being sent to blast and coat in preparation for reinstallation in about one year. Watch a time-lapse video on MyNNS of CVN 74’s ship’s machinery opening being removed.

Federal Vaccine Mandate to Impact NNS President Joe Biden announced Sept. 9 that federal workers and federal contractors, including Newport News Shipbuilding, will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Newport News Shipbuilding President Jennifer Boykin and Huntington Ingalls Industries President and CEO Mike Petters both sent messages to shipbuilders following

the announcement. “We are evaluating the impact this will have on our operations, and our priorities will continue to focus on keeping our shipbuilders safe and supporting our Navy customer. In anticipation of this directive, we have been developing a vaccination mandate plan that will meet the government’s... CONTINUED ON PG 2

Honoring 9/11 Victims on 20th Anniversary of Attacks Newport News Shipbuilding paid tribute to the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks Saturday with a whistle blow at 8:46 a.m. – the same time hijackers crashed the first plane into the north tower of the World Trade Center 20 years ago. In a message to NNS employees to mark the 20th anniversary of the worst terrorist attack in American history, NNS President Jennifer Boykin shared her feelings of “shock and helplessness” immediately following the tragedy. She also shared her realization about the contributions of shipbuilders. “Anniversaries like this are reminders of the critical role we play in our nation’s defense, and the awesome responsibility and opportunity we have to be part of something greater than ourselves,” Boykin said. Watch Boykin’s video message to shipbuilders on MyNNS or on the NNS to Go app.

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Bringing Families Comfort in Difficult Times Donations of teddy bears and crayons from Newport News Shipbuilding will help comfort families experiencing difficult circumstances. NNS made the donations in August to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Norfolk and Transitions Family Violence Services. The local Ronald McDonald House provides housing for families while their child is receiving care at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital or Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters. Transitions Family Violence Services is a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating domestic violence in Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson and York County. Vickie Kennedy, assistant director of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Norfolk, said the donations will help “uplift” families dealing with a hospitalized child. “Anytime you have a child in the hospital, it is stressful. The

Vickie Kennedy, assistant director of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Norfolk, loads teddy bears and crayons donated by NNS into her car. Photo by Ashley Cowan

Ronald McDonald House provides a place for them to stay to be close to their children. Our motto is to keep families close,” she said.

Federal Vaccine Mandate to Impact NNS CONTINUED FROM PG 1

...requirements and keep safety at the forefront,” Boykin wrote. As a reminder, employees can receive vaccinations at the HII Family Health Center. Call 757-327-4200 to schedule an appointment. Hourly employees are allowed to charge their time if the appointment is during assigned working hours. Salaried employees should flex their time.

Pictured from left are Joe Germany (O27), Andrew Smith (O40), Jacqueline Smith (X36), David Vandegrift (X36) and Tab Pake (X36).

Shipbuilder Honored With Safety Recognition Award Jacqueline Smith (X36) was recently honored with a Safety Recognition Award and a safety coin for coming to the aid of a fellow shipbuilder. “I just help people. It doesn’t matter if I’m in the shipyard or outside of the shipyard. That’s just me,” she said. Smith was closing down Bldg. 222 on a hot August day, when she looked outside and saw a fellow shipbuilder who didn’t look well sitting on a stack of pallets.

She went to check on the shipbuilder who said he was overheated. Smith brought the shipbuilder cups of water, an electrolyte frozen pop and a cold towel to put on his neck. Along with X36 Foreman Michael Rawles, Smith ensured the shipbuilder received emergency medical attention. “I’m glad that I happened to be at the right place at the right time. As a shipbuilder in this weather, I know that could have been me, and I would hope someone would check on me in that same accord,” Smith said.

Employees vaccinated outside of NNS must self-report their vaccination status in UPoint by logging into www.hiibenefits.com. You must also self-report if you are vaccinated through NNS but are not on an HII medical benefits plan. Unvaccinated employees must self-report and can change their status if vaccinated later.

RAFFLES FOR FULLY VACCINATED EMPLOYEES

To allow shipbuilders more time to be fully vaccinated and increase raffle eligibility, the dates for the money raffle drawings are being postponed by one week. The new dates are as follows: • Oct. 15 $7,500

• Oct. 29 $3,750

• Nov. 12 $2,500

• Oct. 22 $5,000

• Nov. 5 $3,750

• Nov. 19 $2,500

Employees should log into UPoint at www.hiibenefits.com to ensure their status is current.

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AROUND THE YARD Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, take time to not only recognize the great achievements and innovations of Hispanic Americans throughout our nation’s history, but also their significant impact on Newport News Shipbuilding’s success. Look for posters featuring the 2021 national theme – Esperanza: A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage and Hope – across NNS during the month. Additional coverage is available in the Engagement, Diversity and Inclusion section of the NNS to Go app.

NNS to Christen New Jersey (SSN 796); National Anthem Singer Needed Newport News Shipbuilding will christen New Jersey (SSN 796) on Saturday, Nov. 13. The Communications Division is looking for a shipbuilder to sing the national anthem during the ceremony – preferably an employee working in the Virginia-Class Submarine Program or from the state of New Jersey. Interested shipbuilders should email shipbuildingevents@hii-nns.com or call 380-4460 as soon as possible. Interested employees will be required to audition and should be prepared to sing a cappella.

WIN VIRGINIA LIVING MUSEUM TICKETS

Newport News Shipbuilding is holding drawings for employees to receive tickets for free, unlimited admission to the Virginia Living Museum for six people for one year. There are drawings for employees to receive the Virginia Living Museum tickets and drawings for NNSbranded swag bag consolation prizes. Shipbuilders can enter the contest once a day via the NNS to Go app until Sept. 20. Caroline Burns (X47) won last week’s drawing for the museum tickets, and Randall Wills (A572) won the consolation prize. Additional drawings will be held Sept. 14 and Sept. 21.

Engagement, Diversity and Inclusion Week at NNS Newport News Shipbuilding is observing Engagement, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) Week Sept. 13-17 with a slate of activities.

Pictured from left are Jim O’Brien, Dwayne Harrison Sr. and Dru Branche. Note: This photo was taken before the reinstatement of NNS’ mask mandate.

Shipbuilder Steering the Way Dwayne Harrison Sr. (O46) was honored with a Level One On-the-Spot Ethics Award for taking quick action to get assistance for a shipbuilder in need.

The week is meant to promote awareness and education to keep the values of inclusion, diversity and engagement fresh in the minds of shipbuilders. See a full list of the week’s activities on MyNNS.

NNS SAFETY REPORT

Compared to figures from August 2020

Harrison was outside of the lab at Newport News Shipbuilding’s Clinic when a patient passed out. He responded by immediately finding a nurse for assistance. Because of Harrison’s actions, the patient received necessary medical care without delay.

Year-to-Date Injuries

1,124 (up 44%) Year-to-Date Injuries with Days Away, Restricted or Transferred

781 (up 34%)

Jim O’Brien, director of Facilities, and Dru Branche, director of Plant Operations, met with Harrison to thank him for his actions and to present his award.

Safety Task Team Inspection Closure Rate

98% (23% above goal)

Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 Cases reported Sept. 7-12: 98

Total cases at NNS: 4,288

NNS employees medically cleared to return to work: 3,354

NNS employees vaccinated: 55%

See case details at nns.huntingtoningalls.com/411.

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DATEBOOK SEPTEMBER 14

Join the E&D Change Agent Team from noon until 12:30 p.m. for a Virtual Learning Session – Level Up! Leading the Modern Workforce. Leading people is a massive commitment and managers need every resource they can get to keep their people motivated and engaged. Join the E&D Change Agent Team to unlock the cheat codes to becoming a next-level leader. This event takes place during lunch and is voluntary. No charge will be provided. Sign up on MyNNS to receive a calendar invite to attend. For questions and concerns, email E&D Connections.

SEPTEMBER 14

The Project Management Shipbuilder Association (PMSA) invites shipbuilders to attend a virtual informational session from 4:30 until 5:30 p.m. to learn how to use Ed Assist for funding of the PMP prep course and to learn about fall PMP prep course offerings. Sign up for the webinar on the PMSA website. For more information, visit the PMP Training and Ed Assist page or contact PMSA Boot Camp Lead Debra Brand via email.

SEPTEMBER 15

Determine if you’re ready for retirement with help from SmartPath. Attend the Retirement Readiness 2.0 webinar at noon to take a deeper look into your retirement forecast. Register at onsmartpath.com/hii. If you cannot attend live, register anyway and SmartPath will email you a recording of the session.

SEPTEMBER 15

Join Engineering & Design and HII Benefits Manager Amy Iveson from noon until 12:30 p.m. for a Virtual Learning Session on Mental Health in the Workplace. Workplace wellness is a combined effort of health promotion by employers, employees and society to create overall mental, physical and emotional wellbeing for the people at work. Some of the benefits of workplace wellness include decreasing health risks, elevated employee engagement, reduction of stress and depression, and health care cost savings. This event takes place during lunch and is voluntary. No charge will be provided. Sign up on MyNNS to receive a calendar invite to attend. For questions and concerns, email E&D Connections.

SEPTEMBER 15

The Professional Enhancement and Enrichment Rotation (PEER) Program is hosting a learn at lunch WebEx event for potential candidates from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. The program is open to salaried individual contributors. To sign up, visit the PEER Program website on MyNNS.

SEPTEMBER 17

Newport News Shipbuilding employees are encouraged to participate in the United Way Day of Caring. Volunteer projects may include: landscaping, painting, cleaning, organizing and gardening. Volunteers can search and register for a project as an individual or as a team by visiting NNS Gives portal at nns.YourCause.com. Shipbuilders are reminded to log volunteer hours in NNS Gives.

SEPTEMBER 21

Join the Veterans Employee Resource Group (VERG) and Shipbuilders Together Realizing Inclusion, Diversity and Equality (STRIDE) for “Job Interviews: Appearance vs. Authenticity” from noon until 12:30 p.m. on Sept. 21, 24 and 28 via WebEx. This professional development event will help attendees understand the balance between interview authenticity and first impressions with a number of guest speakers – including hiring managers, talent acquisition and vice presidents – who will answer questions and share experiences. Register on the STRIDE website. For more information, contact Diamond Bartlett at 688-6904 or via email.

SEPTEMBER 22

Join Engineering & Design and Manny Colon from noon until 12:30 p.m. for a Virtual Learning Session on the Hispanic Outreach an Leadership Alliance (HOLA). HOLA is an employee resource group (ERG) committed to fostering leadership through networking, professional development and community involvement in concert with business objectives. This event takes place during lunch and is voluntary. No charge will be provided. Sign up on MyNNS to receive a calendar invite to attend. For questions and concerns, email E&D Connections.

SEPTEMBER 22

The L.E.A.R.N. Program and Women in Shipbuilding Enterprise (WiSE) will host an after-work presentation with Bharat Amin, HII executive vice president and CIO from 4 until 5 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 or Chris Porro (E47) at 534-0332 or email LEARN@hii-nns.com.

SEEKING SHIPBUILDERS

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

Job Title

Req Number

Dept.

Location

HII-Mechanical – Mech Tech C-3 (Fitter – 1st shift) HII-Mechanical – Mech Tech C-3 (Fitter – 3rd shift) Product Trainer 2 Welder (Trainee, Entry-level & Experienced)

8311 8240 8909 9108, 9246, 9164

N960 N960 O39 X18

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.

SEPTEMBER 23

The Spear and Gear Toastmasters Club invites shipbuilders to hear speech presentations, participate in table topics and hear speech evaluations to develop public speaking, listening and leadership skills from 6:30 until 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. Those interested in joining should contact Jamar Skyles (E03) or Paul Gee Jr. (E37).

SEPTEMBER 28

Join the William & Mary MBA Admissions Team from 4:15 until 5:15 p.m. at Brooks Crossing (Suite 100) to learn more about the university’s Part Time and Executive MBA programs, which are designed for working professionals. See the flyer to register. RSVP by Sept. 24.

SEPTEMBER 29

Join Engineering & Design, Cassandra Bonner and Evelyn Gregory (O18) from noon until 12:30 p.m. for a Virtual Learning Session on the Engagement, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) Strategic Plan. The ED&I Strategic Plan is the blueprint to develop an inclusive workplace built on mutual respect, an appreciation of diversity, and a commitment to equity. This event takes place during lunch and is voluntary. No charge will be provided. Sign up on MyNNS to receive a calendar invite to attend. For questions and concerns, email E&D Connections.

SEPTEMBER 29

The NNS Lean Community of Practice (CoP) cordially invites shipbuilders to attend its Chapter 3: Life Hacks: How Lean Solves Everyday Frustrations event from 4:30 until 6 p.m. via WebEx. Have you ever felt frustrated doing a certain task or completing a process at work? Have you ever tried to identify the root of your problem? Join Amy Lynne Roosien, Lean sensei, and guest speaker Brian Tapajna, industrial engineer, to hear their thoughts on how to identify a problem, what Lean techniques you can use and how Lean impacts everyday life. Register on MyNNS.

OCTOBER 1

The 17th annual In-Service Aircraft Carrier Invitational golf tournament will be held at Ford’s Colony Country Club in Williamsburg. The format is four man captain’s choice, with a check-in time of 10 a.m. and a noon shotgun start. The entry fee for this event is $125 per player, which includes green fee, cart, range balls, welcome bag, Aircraft Carrier Invitational shirt and post-tournament dinner. Proceeds from this event will benefit the USO. To register, contact Bruce Roberts at 380-4964 or via email.

OCTOBER 17

The Mariners Club at NNS is holding its annual golf tournament at the Kingsmill Resort’s River Course. Check-in begins at 7 a.m. with a buffet breakfast (included) served from 7 until 8:30 a.m. The tournament is a four-man captain’s choice format, and there will be a shotgun start at 9 a.m. Proceeds will support local charities. Contact Rudy Hendricks (X21) via email to request a registration form. Only the first 32 teams will be accepted.