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A weekly publication of Newport News Shipbuilding
Volunteers Needed for Nov. 19 Keel Laying Employee volunteers are needed to assist during the Saturday, Nov. 19, keel laying ceremony for Virginia-class submarine Arkansas (SSN 800). The Little Rock Nine are the ship’s sponsors and will participate in the event. The Little Rock Nine made history in 1957 as the first African American students to attend all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. The move fulfilled the landmark Supreme Court decision that ruled racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional. Faced with shouting mobs, threats of violence and hostile state leaders who blocked their way, the teenagers were escorted by federal troops at the direction of President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Chad Ryan, a U.S. Navy veteran who served on Enterprise (CVN 65), was part of the Foundry team that created the mold and poured the bow towing chock for Enterprise (CVN 80). The pour included steel from CVN 65. Photo by Aaron Pritchett
A Special Connection More steel from Enterprise (CVN 65) is being repurposed for the next Enterprise (CVN 80). Shipbuilders in Newport News Shipbuilding’s Foundry recently poured CVN 80’s bow towing chock – part of the aircraft carrier’s mooring system – using steel from CVN 65. Chad Ryan, a molder specialist in Newport News Shipbuilding’s Foundry, served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years, and completed his final deployment on CVN 65. He was among the shipbuilders who prepared the mold for the bow towing chock pour. “It’s exciting for me to be a part of that and to lead this job,” he said. “When I think about it, it’s something that I take a lot of
pride in. It’s an honor to have somebody put the faith in me to be able to take this job on.” The molding process is pretty much the same as it was when NNS shipbuilders built CVN 65, according to Foundry General Foreman Kevin Forrest. “The pattern that we use to make the bow chock is the same pattern that we used for 65,” he said. “It’s a lot of history involved in it, and Chad being a part of the history of CVN 65 – now he’s a part of CVN 80 – which I think is very cool.” Watch a video on MyNNS to learn more about the process.
The End of an Era for Currents
Beginning next week, Currents is transitioning to an online format, and physical copies of the newsletter will no longer be distributed across Newport News Shipbuilding. The Communications Division will continue to produce Currents each week, and it will be distributed on Wednesdays via MyNNS, NNStoGo.com and the NNS to Go app. The app is available for download in both the Apple App and Google Play stores. Email communications@hii-nns.com with any questions or comments about the upcoming changes.
Email ShipbuildingEvents@hii-nns.com to volunteer. There is currently a waitlist for tickets to attend the event. Shipuilders who would like to be added to the waitlist to receive two tickets – one for yourself and one for a guest – also should email ShipbuildingEvents@hii-nns.com.
Food Drive Begins Next Week
Nearly 62,000 residents across the Peninsula must choose between food and other critical needs. That’s why it’s so important for shipbuilders to support the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank during Newport News Shipbuilding’s annual Holiday Food Drive Nov. 7-18. “Combined with the effects of nutrition insecurity on families post pandemic and now with rising costs for food, fuel and utilities, the donations from the Newport News Shipbuilding’s food drive are vitally important,” said Donna Tighe, director of Development for the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank. “As the holiday season approaches, these donations will allow us to meet the increased needs of our neighbors who are reaching out for help. This annual event gives our community hope for a brighter and healthier future, and we are very grateful for your compassion and generosity. Thank you for a holiday without hunger.” CONTINUED ON PG 2
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10 | 31 | 2022 “They could’ve easily overlooked it, but they recognized a problem and spoke on it. And then we carried it right on up the line,” Gaines said. “Since they saw it and brought it up, the rework could be done now instead of further down the road.” If the issue had not been discovered when it was, it would have required even more extensive rework. Ford said he didn’t realize how serious the problem was at first, but he still thought it was important to bring it to the attention of his foreman. “It’s just the right thing to do,” Ford said. “If you see something, you want to correct it right then. People’s lives could be at stake.”
Shipbuilder Keith Ford, third from right, met with Vice President of Human Resources and Trades Xavier Beale and other leaders who thanked his crew for taking action when they noticed something didn’t look right. Photo by Lexi Whitehead
Crew Raises a Red Flag A group of Virginia-Class Submarine Program shipbuilders at Newport News Shipbuilding spoke up when they noticed something didn’t look right. Their actions led to the discovery of a serious quality issue that could have led to months of rework and serious impacts to both cost and schedule. Keith Ford (X33), who works on a crew with Eric Cherry (X33), Frances Stewart (X33) and Takesha Tatum (X33), was foam filling voids in a VCS unit when he saw a defect in a grease line. He called a co-worker over to take a look, and then they notified their foreman, David Gaines.
Gaines said his crew is engaged and enjoys an open environment where shipbuilders feel comfortable speaking up and sharing ideas. “I always instill in them to pay close attention to detail, and that’s what they do,” he said. “My whole crew is right on the same page with that.” Xavier Beale, vice president of Human Resources and Trades, recently met with Ford and VCS leaders to thank the team for its actions. “We want to make sure that we are always sending out quality work,” he said. “We have to be on top of our game at all times, and that’s why I’m so proud of this team for recognizing something wasn’t right and speaking up.”
Food Drive Begins Next Week NNS Hosting Engineering Technician Hiring Event CONTINUED FROM PG 1
A list of most-needed items, a how-to guide and fundraising guidelines are available on MyNNS. Shipbuilders can support the food drive in the following ways: •
Visiting YouGiveGoods.com/nnsholidayfooddrive2022 to make online food purchases.
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Making online monetary donations to the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank.
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Visiting nns.YourCause.com to make a one-time credit card donation or a one-time or recurring payroll deduction.
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Dropping off donations in weatherproof collection containers at gates.
Collection boxes are available for pickup 24/7 at Bldg. 103 (Southeast Bay Door). Boxes for outlying buildings will be available for pickup at NetCenter (Suite 176). Email CorporateCitizenship@hii-nns.com to make arrangements for pickup from NetCenter.
Newport News Shipbuilding will be hosting an engineering technician hiring event on Dec. 1. Qualified candidates will be invited for an opportunity to conduct either an inperson or video interview with Engineering and Design hiring managers. NNS is hiring entry-level and experienced candidates. Nov. 11 is the deadline to apply to be invited for an interview. To learn about what engineering technicians do or to apply, visit buildyourcareer.com and search by division Newport News Shipbuilding for positions: • •
Engineering technician 1 (req no. 27904) Engineering technician 2 (req no. 27924)
• •
Engineering technician 3 (req no. 27925) Engineering technician 4 (req no. 27926)
NNS employees are encouraged to share this hiring event opportunity.
REMINDER: Learning Exchange (LX) Unavailable Nov. 4-13 The Learning Exchange (LX) is upgrading with a blackout period scheduled from 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4, until 7 a.m. Monday, Nov. 14. LX will not be available during the blackout period. For more information, visit the communications section of the LX Resources website on MyNNS. Email LearningExchangeNN@hii-nns.com with any questions or concerns.
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AROUND THE YARD Group Riders Have Parking Options Newport News Shipbuilding encourages car and vanpooling, and the Group Rider program is being revamped. Employees must register online to receive a new parking tag that will enable parking in Zone A, B or C lots. Currently issued Group Rider decals will no longer be valid after Dec. 5. To register as a group rider with NNS, go to MyNNS and locate the Parking and Transportation page and click on the “Become a Group Rider” link. The Newport News Transit Center at 35th Street also has designated parking spots for registered NNS group riders. Visit GoTraffix.com and click on programs to find out more.
Quality Team Supports Breast Cancer Awareness Pink ribbons are an important symbol of breast cancer awareness, especially in October. It is estimated that 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime and this year alone, 287,500 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S., according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation Inc. The four O06 groups in the Quality Division created an engagement opportunity to spread breast cancer awareness and show support for family, friends and coworkers in October. The O06 group had a “pink out day” along with a group lunch.
ED&I Employee Well-being Day Newport News Shipbuilding is committed to the safety, health and total well-being of every employee “Because People Matter.” The O18 Engagement, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) Office, along with ED&I champions, the employee resource groups FitNNS and VERG, Benefits and Environmental Health and Safety, is partnering with QuadMed to host the first ED&I Employee Well-being Day from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. Dec. 1 at the HII Family Health Center. During the event, employees will have opportunities to complete wellness screenings (Know Your Numbers), get flu shots and COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters. Employees who schedule an appointment will be entered in drawings for gifts and prizes from QuadMed. Appointment slots are filling fast, so schedule an appointment today by contacting the O18 ED&I Office (EngageNNS@hii-nns.com), Danyelle Saunders (O18) or Ashley Dillard (O18).
“With various combinations of in-office schedules, flexible work schedules and remote work schedules, it is important to provide opportunities such as this for members of the group to have in-person engagement and support from team members,” said Monica Schnautz (O06).
ISO 9001:2015 Surveillance Audit Planned Nov. 8-10 Newport News Shipbuilding will undergo a surveillance audit of its Quality Management System (QMS) Nov. 8-10. The American Bureau of Shipbuilding Quality Evaluations (ABS-QE) will conduct these audits. 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. Auditors may also request to randomly interview employees in both nuclear and nonnuclear work areas about work procedures to evaluate their work practices, overall awareness of NNS’ quality management policies and the knowledge of the impact of their work. Employees should answer questions about how they normally accomplish their work. 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 757-688-1439.
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DATEBOOK NOVEMBER 2
Newport News Shipbuilding Talent Acquisition is hosting open interviews for entry-level and trainee fitter (X11) and welder (X18) positions between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the NNS Employment Office, located at NetCenter (Suite 176, Entrance 3). Job seekers may apply in advance to reqs 25746, 25744, 25650 or 25845 at buildyourcareer.com.
NOVEMBER 3
Join the LEAN Community of Practice (CoP) for an end-of-year celebration from 3:45 until 5 p.m. at Coastal Fermentory in Newport News. Use this as your chance to build relationships with other fellow NNS lean disruptors, share ideas and strengthen your work community. First 50 registrants will be included in a gift card raffle along with the first 30 people who arrive at the event. Register on MyNNS. This event is open to all NNS employees. No charge will be provided.
NOVEMBER 5 AND 12
Newport News Shipbuilding is a sponsor of the 2022 Hampton Roads Heart Walk, which supports the American Heart Association. The Peninsula walk will be held at 9 a.m. Nov. 5 at Fort Monroe’s Outlook Beach Boardwalk. The Southside walk will be held at 9 a.m. Nov. 12 at Chesapeake City Park.
NOVEMBER 6
Join The Apprentice School Student Association at Ford’s Colony at 7:30 a.m. for the annual Veterans Day Golf Tournament in support of the Fisher House of Portsmouth. The entry fee will be $60 per person, with teams of four. Each team must include at least one apprentice or alumnus to participate. Lunch will be provided. RSVP at ApprenticeStudents.com/events. For more information, contact Jessica Lawson at 757-703-6090.
NOVEMBER 10
Michael Fabey, author of “Heavy Metal,” a book that takes readers inside the gates of Newport News Shipbuilding, is presenting during The Mariners’ Museum and Park’s Evening Lecture Series at 7 p.m. In-person attendance is free for museum members and $10 for guests. The lecture will also be livestreamed and is free to watch online. Visit marinersmuseum.org/event/heavy-metal to register.
NOVEMBER 27
Newport News Shipbuilding is accepting applications for 2023 college summer internships. The deadline for students to apply is Nov. 27. Internships are paid opportunities for students to work 40 hours per week for 10 consecutive weeks during the summer. Accounting, business and finance majors should apply to req 25785. Computer science, IT and software engineering majors should apply to req 25784. Engineering majors (ABET accreditation required) should apply to req 25786. Supply chain management majors should apply to req 25768. Apply at buildyourcareer.com.
DECEMBER 1
QuadMed celebrates Engagement Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) Employee Well-being Day by offering COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters in addition to Know Your Numbers screenings and flu shots. Appointments are available between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. Schedule your appointment and be entered for special prizes. Contact O18 ED&I Office (EngageNNS@hii-nns.com), Danyelle Saunders (O18) or Ashley Dillard (O18) for more information.
SEWER IMPROVEMENTS IMPACTING STREETS
The Hampton Roads Sanitation District, in coordination with the city of Newport News, is improving the sanitary sewer infrastructure around Newport News Shipbuilding. Construction is expected to continue through fall 2023. The project will impact sections of Washington and West avenues, as well as 31st, 35th, 38th, 46th and 48th streets.
WiSE Supports Light Up the Night Gala Women in Shipbuilding Enterprise (WiSE) represented Newport News Shipbuilding at the Light Up the Night Gala. It was a fundraiser for Safe House Project, which works to increase awareness of sex trafficking, provide emergency services and placement to trafficked survivors, and ensure every survivor has access to safe housing and holistic care by accelerating safe house capacity and development across America. Sex trafficking is the second largest criminal industry in the country and affects every age, gender, race and social class. Virginia is ranked 15th in the nation for trafficking. The gala was a success, raising $206,000.
NOVEMBER 7
The Project Management Shipbuilder Association (PMSA) will host a lunchtime presentation with Project Management Institute Hampton Roads (PMIHR) from 12 to 1 p.m. via WebEx. The event is open to all employees by reservation only. Sign up on MyNNS. For questions, contact Debra Brand or email PMSA@hii-nns.com. No charge is provided.
Pictured from left are Christina Wheeler, Ashleigh Bent, Chona Kelly, Congressman Bobby Scott, Janice Boone, Tabitha Boone and Lynn DeGregorio.
SEEKING SHIPBUILDERS
Visit www.buildyourcareer.com to search for the latest NNS job openings.
Job Title Req Number Dept. Acoustic Engineers 28067, 19007, E46 26024 Engineer Electromechanical 3 26069, 25924 E24, E70 Engineering Technicians 27904, 27924, E&D (Dec. 1 hiring event) 27925, 27926 Essential Trades Training 22874, 22875, X42, X43, Programs 22873, 23104 X32, X31 Fitters 25746, 25744, X11 25745, 25725 Mechanical Design Engineer 3 25105, 26836, X51, E05 15553 Outside Machinists 25564, 25565 X43 Pipefitters 25567, 25569 X42 Refueler 25566 X43 Welders 25650, 25845, X18 25664, 25665
Employee Referral Cash Bonus Not Eligible
Remote Work Considered No, Yes, Yes
Eligible Not Eligible
Yes No
Not Eligible
No
Eligible
No
Eligible
Yes, No, Yes
Eligible Eligible Eligible Eligible
No No No 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.