DON'T MISS: SAFE HAVEN EFFORTS DURING THE STORM
SERVICE TO THE FLEET Norfolk Naval Shipyard
We Are America's Shipyard
October 2019
SHIPYARD SPOTLIGHT
Code 960 Safety Advocate James Curling Aims to Ensure No One Gets Hurt Today
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT = A MORE INNOVATIVE SHIPYARD
Table of Contents
IN THIS ISSUE Features: 3 NNSY YOUTH CENTER PRODUCTION NNSY Teams with Missoula Children's Theater Camp
4 FROM THE COMMANDER Building "-ships" in America's Shipyard
5 PATRIOTS DAY NNSY Observes Patriots Day in Honor of the Fallen
6 SAFE HAVEN EFFORTS 7 CLEANLINESS WARRIOR AWARDS 10 EYE ON INNOVATION
12 10
Research and Development = A More Innovative Shipyard
12 LVD STRIPPIT MACHINE 14 USS THRESHER CEREMONY 15 NEW COMMAND DASHBOARD 16 LEADERSHIP 360 18 ON THE COVER: SHIPYARD SPOTLIGHT Code 960 Safety Advocate James Curling
20 C-FRAM FRAUD SCHEME AWARENESS 2 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • OCTOBER 2019
18 16
VOLUME 82 • NUMBER 9 SHIPYARD COMMANDER Capt. Kai Torkelson
Service to the Fleet
EXECUTIVE OFFICER Capt. Daniel Rossler COMMAND MASTER CHIEF CMDCM Gene Garland EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (CODE 1100) Jeff Cunningham PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER Terri Davis SERVICE TO THE FLEET EDITOR Kristi Britt PUBLIC AFFAIRS STAFF Hannah Bondoc, Michael Brayshaw, Allison Conti, Jennie Cooper, Floyd Logan, Troy Miller, Jason Scarborough, Curtis Steward EMAIL THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE nfsh_nnsy_pao@navy.mil EMPLOYEE INFORMATION HOTLINE (757) 396-9551 FRAUD, WASTE & ABUSE HOTLINE (757) 396-7971 DONCEAP HOTLINE 1-844-DONCEAP (1-844-366-2327) SERVICE TO THE FLEET is a Department of Defense publication and is authorized for members of the DoD. Contents of Service to the Fleet are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the DoD, or Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Service to the Fleet is published monthly. Submissions are due on the 10th of each month. The public affairs staff reserves the right to edit submissions for content and brevity.
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NNSY Partners up with Missoula Children's Theater to Mine the Diamonds in the Rough STORY BY HANNAH BONDOC • PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST PHOTO BY TONY ANDERSON • NNSY PHOTOGRAPHER It’s a whole new world, but who will be leading it? It is one thing to build something, but another to direct others to make it happen, and the basic skills that mark the difference between the two are what make up the curriculum at Missoula Children’s Theater Camp. Held every year at the Scott Center Dry Dock Club, the Norfolk Naval Shipyard's (NNSY) Youth Center partners up with Missoula Children’s Theater, a traveling theater company that does the same musical with different camps around the world, to put on a show with students within the brief span of a week. This year was Aladdin, a story beloved by generations, so this year’s staff and young cast faced big expectations to put together a good show. This partnership has been going on for seven years, but has only recently been held on shipyard grounds for the past three according to NNSY Youth Center program lead Christina Clerk. She has only been working with the people who put this together for the last two years, but can tell you the impact it has made. “The main thing that they learn is the commitment,” she explained. The whole week that the cast and staff have to put the show together is dedicated exclusively to learning lines, theater practices, workshops and everything else that possibly can be squeezed into five days while trying to keep the children focused—some no taller than your knee. More often than not, there are more parts then there are students, so many of them have to multitask as they are acting out one part and mentally preparing for the next such as lines, where they are supposed to be, props to use, and costume changes. It is a daunting task that requires
both patience and passion. “That’s one thing with this job,” Clerk said with a laugh, “If you work this job, you have to really love kids.” The actors Missoula sends who work with them are not only formally trained to work with children, but are also professional actors as well, giving the young campers a chance to know what it is like to really work with adults on a professional level. Exhausting as it might be, many of the students come back every year. Sixth grader Cameron Roberts is one such veteran of the camp. Since the day that his mother surprised him by signing up for the camp, he has been coming back for six years. This year, he was cast as Aladdin. “There were tough moments at this camp, and things that I had to overcome and work through,” Roberts reflected, “but it allowed me to be fully myself.” Everyone knows what a true leader looks like: they stand like a leader, they walk like a leader, and everyone pays attention when they speak. People look at them and they look back without wavering. If you took the word “leader” out of that sentence and substituted it with the word “actor” it would still make sense because the skillsets are almost one and the same. After all, being a leader is not just knowing what to do, but taking charge with a special kind of confidence that theater lends itself to—not just confidence in one’s teammates, but themselves.
OCTOBER 2019 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • 3
From the Commander, Capt. Kai O. Torkelson:
Building “-ships” in America’s Shipyard
Another month of busy activity, and another glancing blow from a September hurricane has gone by! Thank you to everyone for preparing Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) to weather Dorian. Fortunately, the shipyard was spared the worst of the storm, contending with only minor flooding. With many of you being involved in the cleanup prior to the storm’s arrival on Sept. 6, I hope you share my mindset regarding the importance of maintaining daily cleanliness of our workspaces and our shipyard. We saw “what right looks like” once the shipyard was cleaned; now we must we make it a continuous priority. In recent months, we have emphasized the C.O.R.E. Value of Ownership in regards to interacting with and developing others, but it also applies to being responsible for our facilities and work areas. Furthermore, maintaining cleanliness in America’s Shipyard goes hand in hand with ensuring safety and health for our employees. Shortly after Dorian blew out to sea, I met with the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) project team to discuss the upcoming Selected Restricted Availability NNSY workforce will be performing along with Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility. Given this work is being conducted in Japan, many of you might not be aware of it, but it’s a highly important availability for the Navy, vital for maintaining our international presence, and a great example of our longstanding mantra of “any ship, anytime, anywhere.” We have a high-performing team of approximately 100 personnel from more than a dozen shops and departments supporting this effort during the next several months. I look forward to seeing the results of a timely delivery of Reagan back to the Fleet and ready to continue its mission as the Navy’s forward-deployed carrier. Last month we concluded our sixweek pilot program working improvement initiatives as part of the Naval Sustainment System – Shipyards (NSS-S) transformation. 4 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • OCTOBER 2019
Thank you to everyone who assisted the NAVSEA contracted team from Boston Consulting Group while its members were at America’s Shipyard coordinating this essential effort. For the way ahead, the group will be assessing work execution barriers and how to mitigate them to develop a corporate implementation plan that will better position the public shipyards to ensure on-time delivery of our nation’s ships and submarines. I am pleased to see that many of our efforts during the six-week sprint resulted in our waterfront mechanics working those jobs feeling more valued because they were provided quicker access to tools and material they need to conduct their work. USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) Jet Blast Deflector Zone Manager Jeremy Clark shared beneficial change has already happened as a result of this transformation that can be applied in other areas of the shipyard. To elaborate on Jeremy’s point, the challenge is on us in our continuous march to achieve excellence, to look at improvements such as these not as destinations, but rather stepping stones, in ensuring superior quality and reliable delivery. At the First Line Supervisor High Velocity (1LSHV) graduation last month, the class speaker, Shop 56’s Mr. Littleton Hurst III, made some insightful remarks. He spoke of a concept so central to our work I wanted to make it the focal point of my comments this month. Mr. Hurst talked to graduates and attendees about the importance of building “–ships” at America’s Shipyard. If you’re thinking NNSY hasn’t constructed a vessel in many decades, except our recent moored training ship conversions which come the closest to shipbuilding, you’re right. In fact, it was way back in March 1953 when NNSY christened its final ship constructions, the minesweepers USS Bold (AM 424) and USS Bulwark (AM 425). Mr. Hurst, however, was talking about building “-ships” of a different sort—those being leaderships, craftsmanships, mentorships, apprenticeships, ownerships and relationships. He pointed out how building those type of “-ships” are fundamental for our high-performing teams to achieve success. What is so striking to me is how what he talked about is central to our C.O.R.E. Values as an organization—being present and transparent, looking at problems as opportunities to grow and develop our employees and co-workers, valuing the person in front of us—those are all central to effectively building “-ships” and ultimately achieving excellence in ship maintenance and modernization.
On Oct. 15 we will be holding an All Hands ceremony in Bldg. 163 to celebrate meeting our final Big Rocks goals for the fiscal year and—for the first time—personally recognize the Force Multiplier participants who embody and nurture so many of those “-ships” Mr. Hurst talked about at the 1LSHV graduation. Come join us as we celebrate our achievements in quality of work-life and reliable delivery to the Fleet, and honor our fellow shipyarders who demonstrate a contagious C.O.R.E. spirit. As we continue to flash forward to the exciting events of the fall, don’t forget on Nov. 2 we will be holding our 2019 Family Day. I’ll be opening the shipyard commander’s residence Quarters A up for tours for shipyarders, family, and friends. Completed in 1838 and on the National Register of Historic Places, the legacy of Quarters A is nearly as rich and lengthy as the shipyard itself. My neighbors, U.S. Coast Guard Fifth District Rear Admiral Keith Smith and his wife Vikki, have graciously offered to take part in the Family Day festivities, opening Quarters B for tours. Don’t forget the deadline to submit requests to visit NNSY during Family Day must be submitted to Code 1122’s Bobbie Hayden at bobbie.j.hayden@navy.mil no later than Friday, Oct. 11. Finally, I’d like to extend a warm welcome to our new Base Support Officer, Captain Will Booth, and our new Business and Strategic Planning Officer, Commander Michael Oberdorf. We’re excited to have you both on the America’s Shipyard team and look forward to working with you in the continual efforts to improve our installation and manage our workload. Norfolk Naval Shipyard, committed to our C.O.R.E.!
Capt. Kai Torkelson Norfolk Naval Shipyard’s 108th Commander
Capt. Kai Torkelson and Littleton Hurst III.
NNSY Observes Patriots Day in Honor of the Fallen BY KRISTI BRITT • PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST | PHOTOS BY SHELBY WEST • NNSY PHOTOGRAPHER Eighteen years ago on Sept. 11, 2001, the American nation was rocked to the core from a terrorist attack. American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175 were hijacked by terrorists and crashed into the Twin Towers at the World Trade center in New York City. American Airlines Flight 77, also hijacked by terrorists, crashed into the Pentagon. United Airlines Flight 93 was also taken over by terrorists; however, the patriots onboard engaged and brought the plane down in Shanksville, Pa. before it could reach its destination. These attacks took the lives of 2,996 people and injured 6,000 others, becoming the single deadliest terrorist attack in human history. During the panic of the attacks, our nation responded with armed forces, law enforcement, and emergency response personnel launching to where they were needed. Many lost their lives and many others lost family members or friends. Yet they continued to serve our nation and to protect the American people. Their sacrifice on this day and each day that they serve is a testament to the nation. Eighteen years later, on what we now call Patriots Day, Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) employees came together for an observance ceremony hosted by the Chief Petty Officer Selects to honor those lost and celebrate our nation as it continues to persevere after the tragedy. “We’re here to not only remember the fallen but also to celebrate our resolve, promote our national pride, and to thank those military, law enforcement, intelligence and homeland security for their vital and continuous contributions to our nation,” said NNSY Commander Capt. Kai Torkelson. “Just as the generations before us forever remembered the day of the attack on Pearl Harbor, or the day of John F. Kennedy’s assassination, there’s no event in our lives that has had as much searing impact on our national consciousness as that of Sept. 11, 2001. That was a day that forever changed our nation – and in many ways, our Navy and our shipyard. Eighteen years later, I’m very proud to say that our nation, our Navy, and our
shipyard passed the test with flying colors of red, white, and blue. We sang our national anthem with renewed fervor; we planted our flag with great pride; and as a shipyard we proudly and urgently sent ships out fit to fight, helping to bring justice to those who committed the atrocious acts against our nation as well as those who harbored them.” Capt. Torkelson continued to share about NNSY’s response to the call to action, not only for Sept. 11 but for any event for which NNSY was called to serve. “The attack of USS Cole the year before 9/11 revealed both the dangers of terror in the 21st century as well as our shipyard’s vital role in combating it. Following the attack on USS Cole in Yemen in 2000, NNSY sent 22 of our employees to recover fallen sailors and provide relief to the crippled ship,” said Torkelson. “Our volunteers performed work onboard despite triple-digit heat, frequent power outages, and performing repairs while treading water. Those are the kind of proud patriots we have historically had at NNSY.” “In the days following 9/11, NNSY directly supported the war on terrorism, with many of the ships we completed availabilities for being deployed immediately to the Middle East and Persian Gulf. The Navy sending USS George Washington (CVN 73) to help ensure security in New York City in the immediate aftermath of 9/11 is also particularly noteworthy – it’s because of our shipyard’s efforts performing its six-month planned incremental availability earlier that same year that George Washington was materially ready and was off the city’s coast a mere day after the attacks,” he said. He concluded, “Our shipyarders who have served our Navy and nation so well in the past two decades have exemplified what we all know in our hearts. Our service to our nation is a high calling, requiring each of us to make sacrifices to support our uniformed men and women who go into harm’s way. We must deliver readiness today to ensure our safety and prosperity tomorrow.” OCTOBER 2019 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • 5
NORFOLK NAVAL SHIPYARD (NNSY) DOES NOT JUST FIX SHIPS – IT ALSO PROTECTS THEM
BY HANNAH BONDOC • PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST | PHOTOS BY TROY MILLER • PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST Ships are safer at sea than in port. Like two ceramic mugs loosely next to each other in the dishwasher, a ship and the pier could damage each other as they bang together during a storm. Ships also have to leave well in advance of a storm in order to avoid destructive weather and rough seas. The Navy refers to this as a sortie. The next safest option to sortie is Safe Haven. As Hurricane Dorian tracked toward Hampton Roads the week of Sept. 2, NNSY Port Operations went to work to prepare to safe haven the ships and Navy assets including service craft and mooring equipment from both Naval Station Norfolk (NSN) and Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek (JEBLC). According to NNSY Installation Program Director of Port Operations John Schmeckenbecher and NNSY Port Operations Officer-in-Charge LT Deena R. Abt, NNSY is the predesignated location to provide protective berthing to Navy ships and assets. The practice is as old as the art of seafaring itself, and because it is further inland than the other installations, the shipyard is the perfect spot to provide safe haven for Hampton Roads naval assets. Given the nature of hurricanes, the Navy Port Operations departments at all installations must remain vigilant as they get predictions from Fleet Weather Center (FWC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The moment a storm forms, planning for Navy assets is already underway as decisions hinge on the projected storm track. NNSY’s Dockmaster Chris Adams and Docking Officer LT Patrick Stewart make tidal 6 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • OCTOBER 2019
calculations in house, and provide projected flooding data to the shipyard as a whole. NNSY accepts as many ships as the berths will allow, but United States Ships (USS) have priority over United States Naval Ships (USNS). Once the list of ships and berth assignments for USS ships is complete, the remaining available berths are given to USNS and Navy contract ships. NNSY Port Operations communicates with Navy Region Mid-Atlantic (NRMA), NSN and JEBLC for information on ships requiring safe haven and assigns berths accordingly. Not only was the Navy’s fleet protected on NNSY’s end, but its personnel as well. Aboard the safe haven ships alone, 308 Sailors and Civilian Merchant Mariners took shelter. These ships consisted of USS Boise (SSN 764), USS Shamal (PC-13), USNS Westwind (T-AGSE-2), USNS Blcakpowder (T-AGSE-1), USNS Apache (T-ATF-172), USNS Hugo (TSV-2), USNS Hunter (TSV3), USNS Narragansett (TSV-4), towing vessels Gary Chouest and Dolores Chouest, and USS Boise Living Barge (YRBM 09). Additionally Navy dive boats Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, and Foxtrot and Navy contract dive boat Coastal Pride were also protected. NNSY’s safely executed safe haven would not have been possible without the professionalism and dedication from personnel from Port Operations, Dockmaster, hotel services (Shop 99), line handlers (Shop 72) and Fleet Maintenance Submarines (FMB).
PICTURED LEFT TO RIGHT: Code 960 Director John Tuthill, C-CoP Lead J.R. Dulce, Shop 56 Mechanic Tommy Butler, Shop 56 Mechanic Lakil Mayes, and Code 900 Production Resources Officer Capt. James Kuhlmann.
SECOND QUARTER CLEANLINESS WARRIORS AWARDED FOR GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY BY KRISTI BRITT • PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST | PHOTOS BY DANNY DEANGELIS • NNSY PHOTOGRAPHER At Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY), being committed to our C.O.R.E. sets the standard for how we do business. We care for one-another, take ownership of our work, respect one another, and achieve excellence. For two celebrated individuals, they went above and beyond the call of duty in cleanliness and C.O.R.E., exemplifying what it means to be a Cleanliness Warrior of America’s Shipyard. “We with the Cleanliness Community of Practice (C-CoP) work round the clock to ensure that cleanliness is held to a standard of excellence at NNSY,” said C-CoP Lead J.R. Dulce. “We work hand-in-hand with every shop and code across America’s Shipyard, whether they be non-nuclear or nuclear, and address cleanliness from every aspect of the job. There are so many players here at the shipyard that are involved with cleanliness. With such dedicated folks across the board striving for excellence, we celebrate those who truly go a cut above the rest with the Cleanliness Warrior Awards.” This quarterly award ceremony was held Aug. 26 and celebrated two individuals from the Piping Shop (Shop 56 of Code 960). Pipefitter Mechanics Lakil Mayes and Tommy Butler showed excellent communication and teamwork during a recent Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) audit in steam plant cleanliness, receiving an overall proficiency score of expert, which was the
highest they could receive. Code 960 Director John Tuthill said, “It’s an honor to celebrate these two on a tremendous job well-done. Mr. Mayes and Mr. Butler performed extraordinarily well during the audit, with many of our team commenting that they have never seen a team communicate and work together so in sync before. They went above the call of duty and have inspired others in cleanliness efforts. I’m very proud of what they have accomplished.” Both recipients were awarded a certificate of achievement, a Cleanliness Warrior sticker, a service award, and a C.O.R.E. award. In addition, Tuthill awarded them with a service award from the pipefitting shop. Code 900 Production Resources Officer Capt. James Kuhlmann added, “It’s refreshing to see such dedicated individuals taking a stand to address cleanliness at the shipyard. I want us all to continue to be proactive in cleanliness and in all our duties across the shipyard. Change begins with a first step and we can help lead the charge to excellence at America’s Shipyard.”
OCTOBER 2019 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • 7
Shipyard Insider: BUZZ & BYTES
CODE 2300 SUMMER PICNIC CELEBRATION Shipyard Commander Captain Kai Torkelson and Nuclear Engineering and Planning Department Head Curt Hart recently made a splash participating in the dunk tank for Code 2300’s summer picnic held at Scott Center Annex. The event raised donations to feed approximately 375 families as part of the annual Fed Feed Families drive, “showing our Care extends beyond the department and the fence line,” said Hart. “A special thank you to the team of coordinators, and to Capt. Torkelson who volunteered for dunk tank duty.” (Photo by Danny DeAngelis, NNSY Photographer)
» GOOD-TO-KNOW Health and Wellness Fair NNSY will hold a Health and Wellness Fair Nov. 7 from 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. on the 2nd floor of Bldg. 1575. Representatives from various health insurance plans will be in attendance, along with representatives from MWR and the Civilian Employee Assistance Program. Due to limited parking, please consider using the shipyard shuttle, which stops directly in front of the building. Open Season The Federal Benefits Open Season will run from Nov. 11 through Dec. 9, 2019. Open Season is the time for you to think about your health, dental, vision, and tax-savings needs. During Open Season you can make elections that you usually cannot make at any other time of the year. You can enroll or make changes to your Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB), Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP), and Federal Flexible Spending 8 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • OCTOBER 2019
Account Program (FSAFEDS) enrollment. Contact the Benefits Line at 888-320-2917. June 2019 Safety Flag Winner Congratulations to NNSY’s Insulation Shop (Shop 57), winner of the June 2019 Safety Flag! The shop had zero injuries or lost workdays for the month. Shop 57 is continuing its strong run in working safely during 2019, having also won the award in April. Employees earned this honor while effectively managing work knives, sharp wire, confined spaces and hot conditions. A special certificate of appreciation was presented to Ashley Guy for her efforts in contributing to a safer workplace onboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) as a Shop 57 Supervisor. Reagan SRA NNSY Shipyard Commander Captain Kai Torkelson met with the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) project team Sept. 9 in advance of the team traveling to Yokosuka,
Japan to perform the carrier’s Selected Restricted Availability. Personnel supporting this SRA include shipfitters, sheet metal workers, insulators, riggers, welders, machinists, pipefitters, electricians, painters, and scaffold builders along with support from radiological controls, quality assurance, nuclear and non-nuclear engineering, IT and travel. NNSY has long supported work on the Navy’s forward-deployed carrier, going back to the USS George Washington (CVN 73) before it was relieved by Reagan in 2016. True to the shipyard’s long-standing motto of “any ship, any time, anywhere” NNSY even performed a 23-day SRA on GW in 2011 while it was underway after Japan had a combined earthquake and tsunami, marking a historic first for the U.S. Navy. Like in years past, NNSY is partnering with Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility to perform this work. “It’s vital that the Navy has a nuclear-powered carrier
permanently stationed in this region, which makes every one of you vital to ensure Reagan remains in optimal condition and ever ready to execute its mission,” said Torkelson. “In this era of great power competition across the globe, Reagan is a crucial component in our endeavor to expand the advantage of our military over all competitors.” Shipyard Curtailment 2019 NNSY will curtail all but essential operations on Dec. 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31, 2018 and Jan. 1, 2020. Official government holidays are Dec. 25, 2019 and Jan. 1, 2020. Curtailing all but essential operations during this time will achieve maximum economy for a holiday period when significant numbers of employees are absent from work, thus reducing the normal productive effort. All three shifts will work on Dec. 23, 2019, ending with the third shift at 7:40 a.m. Dec. 24, 2019. Employees will return to work Jan. 2, 2020, starting with the
ERG MEMBER OF THE MONTH: DANIEL FREEH BY TROY MILLER • PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST Code 2360.1 Nuclear Engineering Technician Daniel Freeh is the chairperson and founding member of Norfolk Naval Shipyard’s (NNSY) Disability Awareness Committee (DAC) ERG since it’s been reformed two years ago. Freeh was born in New Jersey, but raised in Norfolk. He spent 20 years in the U.S. Navy’s submarine force. The last five years he’s been working at NNSY. Freeh stated that he got involved with DAC ERG because he was approached to run it. It didn’t take him long to realize the importance of this role. Since his tenure as chairperson, he managed to help numerous disabled employees to access the right resources needed to improve their quality of work life. One way the ERG did this was to have additional handicapped parking spots installed in areas that lacked them, but needed them. Freeh will continue to serve through DAC ERG and encourage all to join to create a better workplace environment for all.
first (or day) shift. This year, 40 hours of annual leave will be needed. Employees with sufficient annual leave will take leave during the curtailment period. New employees starting work after June 1, 2019 will take Leave Without Pay (LWOP) as an employment condition if they do not have sufficient leave to cover the curtailment period; or they may be furloughed (FWOP) per applicable negotiated agreements or other regulations. Executive Development Program (EDP) The Norfolk Naval Shipyard Executive Development Program is now accepting applicants through Nov. 8. Contact Danie Larrew at danielle.larrew@navy. mil for an application or for more information. Family Day Registration Sign up forms for registration are available at https://webcentral. nnsy.navy.mil/departments/ C1100/C1160/FamilyDay/. All registration forms MUST be completed by Oct. 11. Family Day will be Nov. 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you are interested in
volunteering for the event, please email howard.satcher@navy.mil. Submit all registration forms to bobbie.j.hayden@navy.mil. Veterans 101 Sessions An exciting new course will be offered by the FLTHRO Recruitment and Compensation Team called Veterans 101, which will discuss buying back military time, crediting military service towards annual leave accrual and veteran appointing authorities, and more. These training sessions will be open to all NNSY Federal employees and geared towards military veterans. Located in Bldg. 15, 2nd Floor Training Center, from 11:20 a.m. to noon on the following dates: 2019 • Nov. 8, Dec. 6 2020 • Jan. 22, Mar. 25, May 27, July 22, Sept. 16 To register, send an email to FLTHRO_Training@navy.mil or call 757-396-2100 to request a seat in the course.
Overtime Management Policy, several weekends in 2019 will be designated as services only weekends in order to give our combined workforce (including our Ship's Force teammates) a chance to rest and revitalize. Upcoming services only weekends: 2019 • Oct. 12-14, Nov. 9-11, Nov. 28-Dec. 1, Dec. 24-Jan. 1 2020 • Jan. 18-20, Feb. 15-17, Mar. 21-22, Apr. 11-12, May 9-10, May 23-25, June 20-21, July 4-5, Aug. 8-9, Sept. 5-7 Tuition Assistance Program For those interested in more information regarding the Tuition Assistance (TA) Program, contact one of the following adminstrators:
or gifts given because of their official position. A prohibited source includes any company or person who does business or seeks to do business with the Navy. The hotels shipyard employees stay in on TDY are prohibited sources, and a hotel providing monetary gift for a federal employee staying there during TDY is illegal for that person to accept and not in keeping with the ethical standards of federal employees. "See something, say something" applies to ethical conduct as well as criminal or security concerns. For ethics questions, please contact Shipyard Counsel’s Office at 396-8625 or nnsy_c107legaldepartment@ navy.mil. To report instances of fraud, waste or abuse, call (757) 396-7971 or e-mail NNSY_IG_ HOTLINE@navy.mil.
James D. Jones • 967-2931 • james.d.jones7@navy.mil; Courtney Watkins • 396-0557 • Courtney.watkins@navy.mil Gifts Federal employees are prohibited from soliciting or accepting gifts from prohibited sources
NOBODY GETS HURT TODAY! Safety starts with YOU. YOU are NNSY's most vital asset. Service Only Weekends In accordance with the NNSY
OCTOBER 2019 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • 9
NNOVATIO EYE ON INNOVATION
Research and Development = A More Innovative Shipyard BY KRISTI BRITT • PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST | PHOTOS BY DANNY DEANGELIS • NNSY PHOTOGRAPHER America’s Shipyard aims for a more innovative workforce in part through the Research & Development (R&D) of Additive Manufacturing (AM) within the Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) Technology and Innovation Laboratory (T&I Lab). “Innovation is another word for improving our products and processes to best fit with our modernizing workforce,” said AM Subcommittee Lead Jessica Roberts. “In order to best explore the new technologies we have access to, it’s important to put forward the research and explore ideas of what AM is best suited for here at the yard. We test the limits of 3D printing technologies and build on ideas from our workforce within the Lab. And once we have a firm grasp on what the technology is capable of, we put it into the hands of the employees so we can continue to research the latest technologies available to us.” The NNSY T&I Lab, located in Bldg. 31, is a center for developing new advances in AM and other innovative technologies at the forefront of maintenance capabilities at NNSY, and is one of many 3D printing labs across the shipyard. Each AM lab serves a different purpose, from exploring ideas to developing prototypes and mock-ups to designing new tools. For the T&I Lab’s R&D team, they utilize their printers – both desktop printers and a Fortus 450mc industrial printer – in collaboration with members of the AM community across the yard to determine what can be done with the printers on the waterfront as well as exploring advances in AM materials, such as carbon fiber,
10 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • OCTOBER 2019
resin, conductive filament, and metal. “We’ve been working with members of our workforce, as well as folks from Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), the other public shipyards, and other Warfare Centers to share ideas and really explore what these printers are capable of from a naval standpoint,” said Roberts. “We have a mission to service the fleet and being able to produce parts that could be installed onboard our vessels and in the shops would be a huge achievement. But to get to that point, we have to ensure we understand the technology and what it can do. That’s our biggest focus.” “In our research efforts and through the REAL Ideas program, we’ve been able to tackle jobs for planning purposes, including printing out a small module of the dry dock.” said Robert Ridgway, REAL Ideas Project Manager for the NNSY T&I Lab. “With the module, we’re able to work with key players, such as supervisors as well as firefighters to see the dry dock’s current state and where we plan to improve the dry dock as a whole. We’re also looking at printing out a model of the waterfront and the entire shipyard as part of the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Plan, something that can be used by all parties in the planning for the modernization of America’s Shipyard.” “These planning projects not only utilize our 3D printers but also other innovative technologies we have here at the yard. For example, we use our laser scanning technology to capture the scans of the dry dock and build the point cloud. Then we take those scans to develop the 3D
Shop 57 Kristopher McKenzie works with 3-D Modeling Software in the NNSY T&I Lab to develop a cap for bolts to eliminate abrasions.
print of the dry dock. It’s a process that relies on cooperation and communication, something we strive for with our team,” said Roberts. “In the NNSY T&I Lab, we want to build these communication avenues across the shipyard and beyond our gates. Being able to break down barriers and bring everyone together is huge. The more we share ideas with one another, the better we can understand what tools are out there for our use.” A key part of the lab’s R&D team is also bringing in folks from across the shipyard to access the technologies and learn how to utilize the equipment and bring their ideas to the forefront. This gives any shipyard worker interested in learning these technologies the opportunity to learn a new skill, and take those skills back to foster innovation within their home shops and codes. Shop 57 Apprentice Kristopher McKenzie recently came into the lab to help with 3D modeling, a skill he only learned a few weeks ago when he joined the team’s efforts. “I was able to train with the team here and gain a new skillset in the process, something I could use to help bring ideas of how to innovate the shipyard to life,” said McKenzie. “With the skills I’ve learned, I’ve been testing an idea for a cap for bolts so that we can eliminate abrasions for our workforce should they come in contact with the bolts on the job. Being able to collaborate like this opens up new channels of communication across the shipyard. In the short
time I’ve been here I’ve been able to speak to folks and work together on ways we can utilize this technology.” A printer capable of printing metal will soon make its way into the lab, a new type of AM technology for the team to explore. “It’s a new set of processes and a new material for us to research and see what it’s capable of. We can’t wait for this new technology to be utilized across the shipyard and used to service the fleet.” For more information regarding innovation, contact the NNSY T&I Lab at 757-396-7180 or email the REAL Ideas program at NNSY_REALIdeas@navy.mil. OCTOBER 2019 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • 11
New Hydraulic Punching Machine Helps Modernize Norfolk Naval Shipyard
BY KRISTI BRITT • PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST | PHOTOS BY DANNY DEANGELIS • NNSY PHOTOGRAPHER Norfolk Naval Shipyard’s (NNSY) Sheet Metal Shop (Shop 17) just took a huge leap into modernization with the introduction of a brand new hydraulic punching machine to its arsenal. Part of the NNSY Structural Group (Code 920), Shop 17 specializes in working metals for the shipyard and the Navy. Being continuous hard labor each day, it’s important that the tools these employees use provide safe and efficient avenues to get the job done. “We have our AMADA Laser Cutting and Turret Punch Machine that handles close to 80 percent of the work in this shop,” said Doug Hamilton, Shop 17 Supervisor. “It handles laser cutting, punching, etc. However, with being such a heavily utilized machine, we wanted to find a new piece of equipment that would help take the burden off of it. So we sought out something that fit our needs, something that could take the brunt of the punching jobs that’s easy-to-use and will help my team do their day-to-day efficiently and safely.”
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Joining their arsenal of machines is the LVD Strippit P-1225, a cost-effective computer numerical control (CNC) hydraulic ram. The machine is a punch press, providing consistent and accurate punching holes of different sizes into various types of metal depending on what the job entails. The user inputs the dimensions into the computer and what used to take a lot of time by simple drills or punches in the shop now can be completed in less than an hour. “This job was a quick turnaround for the shipyard once we identified the need for the shop,” said Vatanak Chhim, Production, Facility, and Equipment Management Team (Code 983) Electrical Engineer. “Equipment this size is typically considered capital equipment but with it being less than $250,000 it was not only costeffective but fast to install and get up and running.” Engineering Technician Barry Forbes said, “Our job in Code 983 is to help modernize the shops where we can with bringing in these
OPPOSITE PAGE, PICTURED LEFT TO RIGHT: Industrial Tech Barry Forbes, Industrial Engineer Vatanik Chhim, Shop 17 Supervisor Doug Hamilton, Sheet Metal Mechanic Rebekah Regan, Sheet Metal Mechanic Brian Dominici, Sheet Metal Apprentice Danni Edwards, Sheet Metal Mechanic Ryan Ward; BELOW: Sheet Metal Mechanic Ryan Ward operates the LVD Strippit Machine.
types of equipment that could really improve workflow and provide the workforce with the tools they need to succeed. When we have the chance to help innovate our shipyard, we hit the ground running. For the LVD Strippit Machine, this was a huge win! It was officially installed in February and already it’s become such an important tool for Shop 17 and America’s Shipyard.” “We also installed this light curtain safety system with the machine to further advance the shipyard’s push to keep our employees safe,” said Chhim. “If anyone steps between any two points of the laser line around the machine, it will shut down completely to keep the employee out of harm’s way.” Shop 17 Sheet Metal Mechanic Ryan Ward is currently the main operator for the LVD Strippit Machine, one of the many machines he operates across the shop. The shop and Code 983 are looking to build a formal training program to get all of Shop 17 trained in the modernized equipment being installed. “Our machines are used so frequently, so being able to spread out the work to this new machine that is able to provide such an accurate product in such a short amount of time is huge for us,” said Ward. “We are able to get the job done quickly and safety, providing the Shop 17 team a tool we could use for many years to come.” “These machines are our future and I’m looking forward to seeing my team continue to work with the LVD Strippit to unlock
its full potential for the shipyard,” said Hamilton. “Innovation and modernization is the future of the Navy and America’s Shipyard so being able to bring these new tools to our shop is a huge win for us. We’re going a step in the right direction. I have such an amazing crew here and being able to provide them the tools to succeed is so important for me.”
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THE MEN OF USS THRESHER HONORED AT ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY STORY AND PHOTO BY JOHN FINEFIELD • NNSY SUBSAFE PROGRAM DIRECTOR In April of 1963, the USS Thresher (SSN 593) was lost with all hands while conducting sea trials following a maintenance availability. The loss of Thresher was a watershed moment in the history of the United States Navy Submarine Force. The submarine safety (SUBSAFE) program was developed as a result, to ensure that the lives lost on USS Thresher were not given in vain. People just like you and I failed the men of Thresher. Through the dedicated efforts of the USS Thresher Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Foundation, a USS Thresher Commemorative Monument was erected on the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery. As the inscription reads, this monument is “in honor of the 129 men lost aboard USS Thresher (SSN-593) and their SUBSAFE legacy.” The USS Thresher Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Foundation is a non-profit non-governmental organization created to realize the mission of the USS Thresher Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Project. The project supporters included Thresher family and former crew; active duty, retired and veteran US Navy Submarine Force Officers; chiefs and enlisted personnel; Naval Submarine League members; U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command staff and employees; current and former corporate leaders and their employees from companies who work on U.S. Navy submarine technology and systems, new construction and overhaul; U.S. Senators and U.S. Representatives. The monument is along the well-traveled John F. Kennedy Drive between the cemetery visitor’s center and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. An estimated 1.5 million people a year will pass this memorial during their visit to Arlington National Cemetery. On Sept. 26, I, along with Robert Fogel, represented Norfolk Naval Shipyard at the dedication ceremony. Leaders from across the NAVSEA SUBSAFE corporate enterprise attended the ceremony including 14 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • OCTOBER 2019
public shipyards, SUPSHIPs, contractors, fleet representatives, NAVSEA employees and private shipbuilders. The monument stands as a sobering reminder that the men of USS Thresher are deserving of the honor of burial at Arlington along with the hundreds of thousands of other men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. The dedication ceremony was held in the historic Arlington National Amphitheater near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. At least 1,000 people attended the ceremony, including family members, descendants and friends of the men of Thresher. Remarks were delivered by Kevin Galeaz, President of the ANC Memorial Foundation; Tom Wiley, brother of LTJG John J. Wiley, Thresher crewmember; Admiral John Richardson USN (Retired) and U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen from New Hampshire. The dedication ceremony was led by Rear Admiral J. Clarke Orzalli (Retired). All delivered eloquent remarks, but I would like to share with all of you the personal story of Tom Wiley. Wiley reminded us there are 129 stories of families who lost fathers, brothers, sons and husbands on Thresher, men who were the absolute best in their field, operating the most advanced submarine in the world. He said every family has their story of how they found out about the tragedy and he went on to share his. He reminded us there were no cell phones, Facebook, or 24 hour news networks in 1963. Wiley was in college and a football player, and for Christmas 1962, he had received a transistor radio from his parents and had taken it with him back to college. About two months later it stopped working, and nothing he tried fixed it, so it just sat on the shelf in his dorm room, unused. On Apr. 10, 1963, he came into his room to find his roommate listening to the radio. Wiley asked his roommate how he fixed it and he replied he hadn’t, but had just decided to turn it on and it worked. They sat in their room talking, tossing
a football back and forth, and moments later, the news of Thresher came across the radio. He jumped up and went down to the TV lounge and saw the news reports about the tragedy that would claim his brother’s life. Upon returning to his room, he noticed the radio was off, and he asked his roommate if he had turned it off. The roommate said no, that as soon as Tom left the room, it had just cut off. The radio never worked again. After the ceremony there was a procession and a wreath laying at the monument. Four wreaths were placed: a red wreath to honor the families, a white wreath to honor those who have and are serving in the submarine force, and a tri-colored wreath to honor the men of Thresher. The fourth, a yellow wreath, was placed by Vice Admiral Tom Moore to honor us - the men and women who work every day in the SUBSAFE program. It represents our promise to those family members that no one will have to face the tragic impacts of the loss of another submarine on our watch. It was a humbling experience to attend the dedication at Arlington National Cemetery, and to meet and talk to so many family members about their loved ones, their story and their lives. They all thanked you for what you do and expressed how deeply appreciative they are that we are honoring their sacrifice every day in the SUBSAFE program. Make no mistake: the United States Navy submarine safety program is the premier safety program in the world. It is our job and responsibility to ensure that never changes. I was not born when Thresher was lost, yet today I am responsible for the work that every NNSY SUBSAFE worker performs every day and that responsibility extends to the families whose lives were forever changed in April 1963. We are continuing to onboard and train personnel at a rate that is unprecedented in recent history. We must make and take time to talk, train and teach every employee why we do what we do. Lest we forget.
INFORMATION AT YOUR COMMAND: THE IMPROVED COMMAND DASHBOARD BY TROY MILLER • PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST Have you ever been driving in your car when a little light appeared on your dashboard? It may or may not have a particular shape, but regardless you had to open up your glove box, that has everything in it except for gloves, and fumble through until you find the owner’s manual. The search continues as you thumb through the manual until you find the meaning of the light. Imagine the time and frustration you would’ve saved if that information was readily available and more user friendly. Norfolk Naval Shipyard’s (NNSY) command dashboard works similar to that of a vehicle’s dashboard. It gives you data that allows people to make the proper decisions. Like the scenario above, the command dashboard wasn’t particularly user friendly. “The initial version of the command dashboard was manually sustained and cumbersome to use,” said Operations Department program analyst Christopher Vogt. “Therefore the data wasn’t always accurate or easy to retrieve to make the best decision to move forward.” Initially the command dashboard was designed to be used by the shipyard commander. The required data had to be acquired through the command dashboard, emails and meetings. “The reformed command dashboard is now your one stop shop,” said Vogt. “It helped to eliminate meetings and multiple emails, thus freeing up time so that the workers can focus more on the shipyard’s mission, getting the ships back to the fleet on time and under cost.” The new command dashboard, that’s been operational for the past two months, contains data with graphs on people’s safety, facility readiness, quality, Big Rocks, and cost performance to name a few. Now workers, managers and leadership can view the various statuses to see where the shipyard stands in any given area and use it to their advantage. “When you get into your car, one of the first things you do is check to see how much gas you have and if you need to stop at a gas station or not,” said Business and Strategic Planning Department
Nuclear Engineer Jamaal Hill. “The command dashboard does the same, it allows you to make the decision based off the data on which direction one needs to take.” Unlike its predecessor, the new command dashboard is updated near real time, thus giving the most up-to-date data available. “The original dashboard was done on Sharepoint, which made it difficult to update,” said Operations Department Program Analyst Andrew Hurdle. “Now we use Excel and we haven’t even begin to tap into Excel’s potential to make everyone’s job easier.” C.O.R.E. plays a big part in the new command dashboard. Employees care if their project is in the green, yellow or red. They know if they are in the yellow or red, there is room for improvement and they can drill down to see why the data is anything other than green. “Ownership plays an important role,” said Vogt. “Each section states the point of contact. If you have a question or a concern, you know who to contact without spending time trying to figure out who owns that particular section.” Hurdle stated that the one thing this new command dashboard does is respects people’s time. The new user friendly and dynamic command dashboard does just that. “This is a tool, a resource that can be used to achieve excellence,” said Vogt. Like any tool or resource, there is always room for improvement. Operations department is asking for feedback to make this more beneficial for the shipyard. You may send your feedback to christopher.vogt1@navy.mil or Andrew.a.hurdle@navy.mil. You may access the command dashboard via WebCentral and see updates of it on NNSY’s digital signs throughout the shipyard.
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LEADERSHIP 360 LOG
BY HANNAH BONDOC PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST PHOTOS BY DANNY DEANGELIS NNSY PHOTOGRAPHERS
NNSY employees had opportunity to demonstrate work processes during the event.
*this is a personal summarized log of the three days with the Federal Women’s Program Leadership 360 series held at NNSY Aug. 2019. 8/20/2019 Day 1: Strategic Visioning Exercises Can you imagine what it’s like to literally stare down the barrel of a gun? One minute you’re doing paperwork, the next you’re looking in the eyes of someone who killed the person you were just talking to in the break room. This is what Jennifer Bennett, Strategic Analyst, active shooter survivor and today’s speaker faced during the Washington Navy Yard Shooting Sept. 13, 2013, when a perpetrator who worked there came in and shot multiple people including Bennett. After being introduced by Capt. Kai Torkelson, who had stayed with her during the crisis, she tied her experience with her speech’s main focus on creating a resilient culture through command climate by explaining how mistreated mental illness and bully culture is detrimental to the workplace — all of which can be summed up in a few takeaways: A workplace is a living organism and its culture is its personality; the culture within the workforce is reflective of its leaders. If the leadership is toxic with abuse, uncivil behavior, or passive aggressiveness, it will take its toll on employees in ways such as short turnover employment rates, not coming into work, and suicide. If the leaders are not doing their job, one does not have to be in their position to step up and take charge. She recommended a few articles and books to help empower people to apply this information to their workplace: The Cost of Tolerating Toxic Behaviors in the Department’s Workplace by Chaplin Kenneth R. Williams, and The Leadership Challenge by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner. Towards the end of her speech, she says in regards to the day of the shooting, “I don’t see that day as a bad day, but as a motivation to do good. What kind of culture do you have?"
"What kind of culture do you want to live and what will you do to change it?” -Jennifer Bennett
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Melinda Matthews from Code 228 taught an Individual Development Class during the event. 8/21/2019 Day 2: Career Broadening Workshops Unlike the first day, today was made up of three different workshops: entry level, mid-Level, and senior level. As an entry level worker, I initially went to the Individual Development Plans (IDP) class, and it was a lot more informative than I expected as far as telling us what resources we should know about. Led by Melinda Matthews, her presentation defined an IDP as: “[A] personal and voluntary action plan, jointly agreed to by an employee and his or her supervisor that identifies short and long term career goals, along with the competency-based training, education and development activities that build the required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) to achieve these goals.” While the shipyard does not use the system as a pre-selection tool for positions outside of employees’ current career paths, nor act as a guaranteed for an employee’s promotion, it does help workers develop their skillsets to help market themselves as candidates for such opportunities. It begins with what goals the employee has in mind for their career and figuring out what they want out of it, and then coming up with a plan to get to those goals. After that, it is simply a matter of following through. To begin the process, one can look online for an IDP template or create one, and then meet with one’s respective supervisor to discuss the measures necessary to take from there. Unfortunately there was only time to go to one depending on what level of authority you happen to have in your position (in my case, entry level), BUT from what I was able to discern from the literature concerning the midlevel session, the NAVSEA Development Continuum discussed how to use other tools to get ahead in the yard, such how to apply for jobs through USAJobs and tailoring one’s resume for a federal workplace like the shipyard. The Senior Level: Cultural Competency did not have any pamphlets because it was purely discussion based, but it explored the concept of cultural competency, taught the best practices and identified the differences in the administration of cultural programs.
8/22/2019 Day 3: Community Group Dialogues Today was split into 3 segments: Making Friends in High Places, Force Multipliers: Having High Stakes Conversations, and Driving Decisions with Data. Making Friends in High Places Michael Taylor from the African American Employee Resource Group (ERG) was the speaker for this session and started with his key networking initiatives or "dos" people need to have, along with several “do nots”: Be Unique. If networking professionals want to be remembered after the first conversation, they have to bring something to that conversation that is unique to them. Be present in the conversation. “We talk about respecting the person in front of you,” Taylor explains, “networking is the same thing.” Things such as maintaining eye contact and genuinely listening to what the other person has to say is key in a conversation. Have Business Cards. “Everyone should have business cards,” he said. “There’s something unique about all of us, and should find a way to word that in a way that expresses who you are.” Bringing those cards to any event gives one a readily available method of networking and giving people as easy way to remember you. If someone gives you a business card, read it the moment they give it to you so you know what position they hold. As Taylor put it, “you may be sitting to the next vice president and you don’t even know it.” Do not oversell your education. “Some people get into conversations where we’re so eager to tell everybody about what degrees we have, what experience we have, thus bombarding people with information,” Taylor says. It is far better to give just enough information to make the person you are talking want to ask for your resume so they can find out more about your education. “Don’t be a blocker,” he adds. If you want to talk to a speaker after they have walked off stage or someone you want to connect with, do not interrupt if they are already talking to someone else. Stand behind them and wait for them to get back to you. You do not want that person to remember you as the person who distracted them from giving their full attention to others. “The Bs” Don’t Be Boring. Given the limited amount of time you have to not only say what you need to tell them, but also make a lasting impression, you need to capture their attention. Be aware of energy. Whatever energy you bring to the conversation is the energy you will get back; if you want them to be positive, be positive yourself. Don’t be rude. After reading the card of the person you are talking to, you no longer have an excuse to not know who they are. Given how busy they most likely are in their position, be considerate of their time as well. Be Brief because the person you are talking to will most likely have other things to do that day, so keep your information short and easy to remember. Be Brilliant in the delivery of what you have to say. Be Gone when you are done so you do not overstay your welcome. Last, but not least, the blessing is in the follow up. Don’t just take someone’s card and stick it in your back pocket to be forgotten and lost in the washing machine. A simple “thank you for talking to me” can go a long way. Force Multipliers: Having High Stakes Conversations Sometimes it takes courage to stand up and speak when something is wrong—something nuclear engineer Jamal Bazil from Code 2320 Cleanliness and Innovation does not lack. In order to impart an idea to the audience as to what having a high stakes conversation is, he decided to bring up a universally high stake conversation relevant to today’s professional: how to handle discriminatory situations.
“If you see something, if you witness something happening, say something to someone” Bazil told the audience.
If something is wrong and you do not say something, you are allowing it to happen. Even if the incident does not concern you, you can still speak up about it. If the person of authority you have to report such things to will not listen, you can “leapfrog” or appeal to the people higher than them—but in a professional manner. “When you have a conversation with that person,” he noted, “give them an opportunity to express, apologize, or explain themselves.” In the name of accountability, we the employees owe it to each other to not only speak up if something is ever wrong through our surveys, but also through our everyday lives if we want to make an effort to take care of one another and hold each other to a better standard. Driving Decisions with Data NNSY Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion Valerie Scott’s topics were along the same lines as Bazil’s, but touched a more specific vein of accountability: how do we promote diversity and inclusivity in the workforce using data? One way of doing this is by not only taking stock of what we need and where we are getting it. For example, Scott says that when we are recruiting people at career fairs, we need to be have specific details about how many people we need and the details of the job. More to the point of being inclusive however, we need to have better purpose when not only picking where to hold career fairs and look into the diversity of the demographics at the schools we choose, but also who we send to represent us. For instance, if there is a lack of women in a code, sending a senior female employee would show other potential female employees that it is possible for them to apply. She said two reports can help employees apply these methods: Defense Organizational Climate Survey (DEOCS) and the Management Directive 715. The DEOCS gives a statistics report of the demographics of a department; the Management Directive 715, is a Equal Employee Opportunity Commission (EEOC) document that determines the health of a workplace’s EEOC climate by giving a detailed account of the recruiting and training methods of a department. The last quote she ended on was “To permeate inclusion in this culture is a lot of work. It’s not just my job, it’s not just the EEO’s job; it’s everybody’s job.”
*The speakers for both the first and the third day were videotaped. For those who want to listen to the speakers in their entirety, a link will be available soon. OCTOBER 2019 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • 17
SHIPYARD SHIPYARD SPOTLIGHT: JAMES CURLING STORY BY HANNAH BONDOC • PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST PHOTOS BY SHELBY WEST • NNSY PHOTOGRAPHER
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“No one gets hurt today!” is a good motto to have, but it would be moot without the commitment of people like Safety Advocate James Curling from Norfolk Naval Shipyard's (NNSY) Piping Department (Code 960) looking out for safety of shipyard employees. After graduating from Green Run High School, he went to Tidewater Community College for math, blueprint, and drawing up while finishing an apprenticeship program for pipefitters, plumbers, and welders. Once he went finished, his friend told him about potential job positions in the shipyard. The moment he came into the pipe shop, supervisors immediately put him to work in the nuclear overhaul program. When the safety advocate for his code moved on to another job and no one was stepping in replace him, he decided to take initiative and do it himself. Since then, he affirms that he has definitely developed a compassion for his work. For instance, on one of the barges he visited in the shipyard, he noticed how hot it was and followed up to ensure the employees were provided for. “I was particularly proud of that project because it showed them that someone cares about
them,” he said. His latest big achievement was improving walking and working surfaces by designing ramps, and helping to better facilitate entry into Bldg. 234, but that is just one project in the long list that he has to do. If you asked him what his next big priority project is, he would have trouble picking just one, but he has a few that spring to mind as his main job is testing out safety products to find the best ones—one of them being blue line scanning. “Part of what we do is a mix of innovation research and development (R&D) with safety,” Curling explained, “and what I want to do is use the technology we have to 3-D print a hand that I can use to test different gloves for how long they last before they break.” By testing out gloves before distributing them, pipefitters who use machinery such as grinding and cutting wheels will have a better assurance of their quality before using them on the job. “I like to see what works and what can we improve,” he elaborated. “If there’s ever an issue with anything that endangers employees working at the forefront of fixing the ships, I just need to know who to contact and the proper paperwork, find the material, and I will get it fixed or fix it myself!”
10 THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT James Curling 1. He can play guitar.
6. The two last shows he binged was Jack Ryan and Game of Thrones.
2. He loves to snowboard. 7. His favorite food is crab legs. 3. He has two children. 8. He likes to fish. 4. He went to the Advanced Fuller School of Massage Therapy.
9. His favorite color is green.
5. His favorite childhood movie is The Goonies
10. He used to be a chef for Lonestar Steakhouse.
OCTOBER 2019 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • 19
C-FRAM FRAUD SCHEME AWARENESS OCTOBER: MANIPULATION OF BIDS
Contracting personnel tampering with bids after receipt to ensure that a favored contractor is selected.
DOD EXAMPLE
DON EXAMPLE
In March 2019, former Army Colonel Anthony Williams pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery and felony conflict of interest. Williams accepted bribes to steer government contracts to the CREC Group, a company owned by Calvin Lawyer, a retired Army Colonel. The CREC Group fraudulently claimed and received Small Business Administration status as a small, disadvantaged business. Lawyer and another Army Colonel co-conspirator pled guilty and are serving five-year sentences. Williams faces a sentence of up to five years in prison and agreed to forfeit more than $1.2 million in proceeds derived from the scheme.
In 2009, Donald Bunch served as a Navy NCO at the Humanitarian Assistance Yard (HA Yard) at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan. In support of the Commander's Emergency Response Program, Bunch replenished food and supplies at the HA Yard. Bunch's predecessor instructed him to rotate through a pre-determined list of local Afghan vendors to provide the necessary items. Bunch accepted monetary compensation in exchange for securing vendors more frequent and lucrative contracts, which he used to pay for the construction of a new home. In March 2016, Donald Bunch was sentenced to 24 months in prison and ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and forfeit $25,000 for accepting approximately $25,000 in cash bribes.
INDICATORS (RED FLAGS) Range of bid prices shows a wide gap between the winner and other bidders; all contractors submit consistently high bids; continued presence of flaring price increases; qualified contractors do not submit bids.
LEARN MORE TODAY Check out the C-FRAM site on WebCentral under C100CE for more information. Need to report fraud? Contact the NNSY Hotline today at 757396-7971 or NNSY_IG_HOTLINE@navy.mil.
