DON'T MISS: 2015 YEAR IN REVIEW
SERVICE TO THE FLEET Norfolk Naval Shipyard
We Are America's Shipyard
December 2015/January 2016
2015 NORFOLK NAVAL SHIPYARD
YEAR IN REVIEW
ALSO INSIDE: APPRENTICE GRADUATION
Table of Contents
IN THIS ISSUE 26
features: 2 • FROM THE COMMANDER A Strong Finish to 2015 in Amerca's Shipyard
4 • FROM THE MASTER CHIEF 'Tis the Season at America's Shipyard
10 • 2015 YEAR IN REVIEW An overview of America's Shipyard's many accomplishment this year
14 • RHODE TO SUCCESS Mike Bradley and Casey Schiffer of the Test Engineering Division
16 • GLASS PLATE COLLECTION Partnering with National Archives to Preserve Our History
18 • APPRENTICE GRADUATION Congratulations to the 226 graduates across 25 trades
23 • SHIPYARD SPOTLIGHT Avis Pope, Shop 26 Welding Supervisor
14
23
24 • CORE COMPETENCIES Five Reasons Core Competencies are Important to Employees
26 • HELENA DEPARTURE NNSY Completes Helena DCMAV One Day Early
30 • THE FAHY FRAME Bright Ideas Spark to Life with the help of NNSY's Rapid Prototype Lab
24
VOLUME 78 • NUMBER 11
Service to the Fleet
SHIPYARD COMMANDER Captain Scott Brown DEPUTY COMMANDER Captain Brian Lepine COMMAND MASTER CHIEF CMDCM (AW/SW) Michael Reese PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER Terri Davis EDITOR Anna Taylor PUBLIC AFFAIRS STAFF Michael Brayshaw, Kristi Britt, April Brown, Floyd Logan, Troy Miller, Curtis Steward, Jennifer Zingalie EMAIL THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE nfsh_nnsy_pao@navy.mil EMPLOYEE INFORMATION HOTLINE (757) 396-9551 FRAUD, WASTE & ABUSE HOTLINE (757) 396-7971 SHIPYARD RADIO ADVISORY 1630 AM
PROPER USE OF GOVERNMENT VEHICLES Can I use a government vehicle to: • Stop by the ATM to get cash? • Pick up lunch at the on-yard Subway or co-op dining facility? • Go off-yard and out to lunch at Burger King or other restaurant? • Stop for lunch off-yard while driving back from NAVSTA? • Pick up a coworker off-yard with a flat tire? • Pick up a coworker at one of the on-yard parking lots? • Pick up something I left in my car in one of the on-yard parking lots? • Pick up a coworker off-yard and drive them to work? • Pick up my child or other family member and drive them anywhere? • Stop by my child’s school to pick up forms or meet with a teacher? • Stop by the grocery store or Wal Mart to pick up a personal item? • Take a government vehicle home without specific authorization?
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 Department of Defense, 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. LIKE US ON FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/NorfolkNavalShipyard1 FOLLOW US ON TWITTER www.twitter.com/NNSYNews WATCH VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE www.youtube.com/NNSYBroadcast VISIT THE NNSY HISTORY BLOG www.nnsyhistorymatters.blogspot.com READ STTF ONLINE www.issuu.com/nnsy
"No" is the answer to all of the above questions. All of the above scenarios constitute an impermissible use of a government vehicle. Government vehicles are for the execution of official government business only and nothing more. Just because it is more convenient does not make it official government business. If the trip is questionable, ask before proceeding. If you have any questions, please contact the Shipyard Counsel’s Office at 396-8625.
DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • 3
From the Commander
CAPTAIN SCOTT BROWN
A Strong Finish to 2015 in Amerca's Shipyard
"I encourage you to learn more about those by reading our NNSY Strategic Guidance and FY-16 Objectives. Keep that document close at hand; it should serve as both a map and a light."
Happy holidays to America’s Shipyard! I hope over the next several weeks we all get to enjoy our families and reflect on our good fortunes as employees of this premier naval facility. This has been a challenging year of transition for the shipyard, but we are already seeing tangible improvements in our workforce and how we conduct our daily business. We hired more than 1,500 new employees last year, and last month honored our largest graduating apprentice class in decades. We are visibly taking more pride in our installation, with quarterly cleanups and a renewed focus on Lean principles at the shipyard. We centered ourselves as an organization, with shipyard leadership working together to determine our most pressing priorities over the next several months. I encourage you to learn more about those by reading our NNSY Strategic Guidance and FY-16 Objectives. Keep that document close at hand; it should serve as both a map and a light. We’ve had some great accomplishments in the past several weeks and are set to end the year on a positive note. Last month we returned USS Helena (SSN-725) to the Fleet one day early after completing its Docking Continuous Maintenance Availability. We also reached a key event on USS Maryland (SSBN-738) in record time, and completed emergent repairs on USS Newport News (SSN750) four days early. Our W-130 Project Team at Naval Station Norfolk, along with shipyard production shops, engineering, and support codes, provided vital emergent repairs last month enabling not one, but two carriers to deploy on time. Our shipyard team first completed significant propulsion plant and catapult work on USS Harry S Truman (CVN75), then planned and completed a last minute emergent major repair to the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower’s (CVN-69) firemain system with first time quality. Thank you to all who supported these remarkable achievements; you make me proud to command America’s Shipyard! In this special year-end double issue of Service to the Fleet, we reflect on our accomplishments as an organization in the past year while keeping one eye to the future. In recent months, this publication
has featured several noteworthy members of the USS Rhode Island (SSBN-740) team, and this month we welcome the boat for its 27-month Engineered Refueling Overhaul. The project team did a superb job preparing and performing NNSY's Readiness to Start Brief in the company of VADM Hilarides and several other NAVSEA and Fleet leaders. I look forward to our future success on this vital ERO. How vital, you may ask? Every SSBN refit and maintenance period directly supports the next strategic deployment, which is the most pressing priority for the Department of Defense. That’s the importance of the work this shipyard performs. There’s also an important article in this Service to the Fleet discussing the importance of core competencies. Core competencies are among the shipyard’s highest priorities at present as we develop the next generation of shipyard employees. You should care about them, whether you’re new to the shipyard or have decades of service here under your belt. With the new year rapidly approaching, a good resolution may be to challenge yourself by taking an improvement course to sharpen your skill sets. You can learn about the shipyard’s Tuition Assistance Program on page 8 and how it can potentially benefit you in this area. As we prepare to welcome another year, consider some workplace resolutions by asking yourself the following questions. Do you plan to accelerate the change at the shipyard, personally contributing to our capabilities and capacity as an organization? How are you supporting the safety, security, health, and well-being of yourself and your coworkers? What kind of mentor are you, and are you focused on developing the people of our shipyard and empowering them to be successful in their work? Have a wonderful holiday season. Stay safe and stay engaged. We are Norfolk Naval Shipyard. We are America’s Shipyard.
Capt. Scott Brown Norfolk Naval Shipyard’s 107th Commander
WINTER WEATHER WATCH This winter is forecast to be warmer and wetter than normal for Hampton Roads. That may mean more flooding and/or frozen precipitation for our area. We will aggressively work to open the shipyard as soon as possible following a winter weather event. Please be aware parking lots, roadways, and sidewalks may not be 100% clear of ice and snow when you report to work, but every effort will be made to ensure a safe environment for all personnel. Be mindful of your surroundings and dress appropriately for the weather. Wear practical footwear for the journey from your car to your workspace. Take extra time and walk slowly to avoid slips, trips, and falls. Plan accordingly, drive carefully, and always make the best decisions for you and your family.
In the event of a snowfall impacting NNSY work operations, parking is a major concern to ensure ship’s force duty sections and NNSY essential personnel get to and from work safely. Lots I, E, 7, 8, 15, 16, and 17 are currently designated lots for essential personnel. Please understand that each snow event is different and factors such as snow accumulation, temperatures, and continual snow fall will impact the plow strategy.
SOCIAL MEDIA NNSY’s Facebook page is updated regularly when severe weather threatens the region. During severe weather emergencies, the Facebook page will only post official statements. Check regularly to find out about work delays and shipyard closures.
LOCAL NEWS
INFO HOTLINE
During severe weather emergencies, local television stations such as WAVY, WTKR, and WVEC broadcast NNSY closure information as soon as it becomes available. Check your favorite station for updates.
The shipyard’s information hotline, 757-396-9551, is updated as needed. Dialing the number provides you with instructions for all shifts and gate closure information. Any time severe weather is threatening Hampton Roads, the shipyard hotline should be your first call.
WIDE AREA ALERT NETWORK To find out about the impact of inclement weather, register with the Wide Area Alert Network (WAAN). By registering with the WAAN, you have the ability to receive alerts via personal email, cell phone message or SMS text message. This helps keep you up to date when there are delays or base closures during extreme weather events and other emergencies. Some people think that registration is automatic, but the work computer popups are the only alert automatically set up as a default for every employee workstation. To register, right click on the purple globe icon in the bottom right corner of your work desktop, next to the date and time. Click “Access Self Service” to open a window in Internet Explorer. Click the “Devices” tab and enter your contact information and devices. DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • 5
From the Deckplate
COMMAND MASTER CHIEF MICHAEL REESE
'Tis the Season at America's Shipyard
No matter where your plans take you this season, always be safe. We are good at thinking about safety at work, but sometimes we let it slip when we are away from the job site. Take the extra few minutes to have a plan.
PEARL R O B R A H
Happy Holidays America’s Shipyard! Where did the time go? This year has seemed to fly by with no slowing down. A lot has happened during the past year and you all should be very proud of your accomplishments in 2015. While the month of December is generally a month for celebration, we must also stop and take time to recognize Pearl Harbor and to remember and honor the more than 2,400 victims who were killed in the Japanese surprise attack. On Sunday morning, Dec. 7, 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service attacked Naval Station Pearl Harbor in Honululu, Hawaii, without warning and without a declaration of war, killing 2,403 Americans and injuring 1,178 others. These brave victims are not forgotten and will be remembered forever! Bells are ringing, lights are blinking, and food is cooking; this is a great time of year! It's the season when people are traveling, shopping, spending time with family and friends, and even attending a wide variety of events. No matter where your plans take you this season, always be safe. We are very good at thinking about safety at work, but sometimes we tend to let it slip when we are away from the job site. Take the extra few minutes to have a plan. As we move into 2016 we need to remember the contributions of Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is an American federal holiday marking the birthday of Dr. King. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year, which is around King's birthday, January 15. King was the chief spokesman for nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights Movement, which successfully protested racial discrimination in federal and state law. I would like to say thank you Dr. King for your contributions to making our world a better place. Before I sign out, we have accomplished a lot as America’s Shipyard this past year but there is more work to be done in 2016. I ask that each and every one of you take some time to enjoy the holidays, relax and recharge, but be safe. Remember if you go out and take part in the festivities, do not drink and drive. There are a variety of tools to help you get home safely! Make good decisions in your actions both at work and at home, and we look forward to seeing you back next year! As always, it is an honor to be in the Navy and a great time to be a part of America’s Shipyard! - CMC Sends!
Mike Reese Command Master Chief
NATIONAL REMEMBRANCE DAY DECEMBER 7, 1941 • A DATE WHICH WILL LIVE IN INFAMY
On December 7, 1941, Japanese planes attacked the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, killing more than 2,400 Americans. The USS Arizona was completely destroyed and the USS Oklahoma capsized. A total of 12 ships sank or were beached in the attack and nine additional vessels were damaged. More than 160 aircraft were destroyed and more than 150 others damaged. A hurried dispatch from the ranking U.S. Naval officer in Pearl Harbor, Commander in Chief Pacific, to all major navy commands and fleet units provided the first official word of the attack at the ill-prepared Pearl Harbor base. It said simply: "AIR RAID ON PEARL HARBOR X THIS IS NOT DRILL."
NORFOLK NAVAL SHIPYAR
D
TUITION ASSISTANCE PR OGRAM
The NNSY Tuition Assistan ce Program provides financial assistance for NN SY employees in support of professional developme nt goals. The Tuition Assistance Program is av ailable for courses that are offered by accredited colleges and universities. To find out more about the Tuition Assistance Program, please contact Ca milla Smith at 396-0516.
WHO’S ELIGIBLE? The NNSY Tuition As sistance Program is open for all shipy ard employees.
HOW DO I APPLY?
Employees must comp lete a standard form 182 (SF-182), have it signed by their supervisor, and submit it to Command University Tuition Assistan ce Administrator (Code 1142) no less tha n 15 working days prior to the beginnin g of the course. Requested training must have also been previously documented on an approved Individual Development Plan (IDP).
INTEGRATE YOUR FORM AL EDUCATION WITH YOUR FUTURE CAR EER PLANS
Shipyard Insider southbound lane on George Washington Highway from Gate 15 (Main Gate) to Elm Street now through Dec. 30. Please follow the detour route along Elm Street to Portsmouth Blvd. Anticipate normal gate hours with the exception of Gate 18, which will be closed during this time. For your reference the below map is provided depicting the detour routes.
» POSITIVE YARDAGE Apprentice Graduation Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) held its annual Apprentice Graduation and Awards Ceremony Nov. 19 at Chrysler Hall. The 226 graduates, representing 25 trades across the shipyard, completed their fouryear training program which includes academics, trade theory, and on-the-job experience. The graduates received their Technician Career Studies certificates and were converted to journeymen level within their trade. Read the full story on page 18. Photo by Shayne Hensley, NNSY Photographer. Health Fair Employees from NNSY attended the annual Health and Wellness Fair hosted by the Waterfront Support Branch (Code 1102.3) at Bldg. 1575 Nov. 13. The fair is held annually in conjunction with the annual federal employee benefits open season which began Nov. 9 and will last until Dec 14. Like other years, representatives from a variety of health plans were present to help employees understand the advantages of their given plan
before opting to enroll, update, or change their plan. Read the full story on page 32. Developing Leaders The Code 950 management team attended a leadership development off-site training led by Code 950 Group Superintendent, John Veal, to discuss the future of the code. The objective of the meeting was to develop comradery and cohesion amongst the team and to determine a vision for the future of Code 950. The team re-evaluated and developed the Code 950 mission and vision statement, tying it directly into NNSY’s mission of safely repairing U.S. Navy warships to technical standards, on time, and at cost. Veterans Day Celebration The Veteran Employee Readiness Group (VET ERG) hosted a Veterans Day Celebration Nov. 10 in Bldg. 1500. Ken Inglesby, Nuclear Engineering Training & Development (Code 2300T) Division Head and a champion of the VET ERG, was the guest speaker for the ceremony. In his remarks, Inglesby touched on the comradery at NNSY
8 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
and challenged all attendees, especially the veterans, to seek out that sense of comradery in Amerca's Shipyard.
» ROAD CLOSURE Due to a critical sanitary sewer line repair, the City of Portsmouth Utilities Department will close both northbound lanes and the left
Gate 15: OPEN NORMAL HOURS, Traveling northbound on GW Highway to Gate 15, turn left on Elm Street, right on Portsmouth Blvd, stay right and follow loop in front of vehicle inspection station. Southbound on GW Highway, follow normal route. Gates 3, 10, 14 and 15B: OPEN NORMAL HOURS, Traveling northbound on GW Highway, turn left on Elm Street, right on Portsmouth Blvd and follow normal route to these gates. Southbound on GW Highway, follow normal routes. Gate 18: CLOSED Gates 20, 29 and 36: OPEN NORMAL HOURS, Follow normal routes.
Buzz and Bytes » ELECTRICAL SAFETY
» SHIPYARD SHUTDOWN
» NEWS YOU CAN USE
The holiday season is here! Flickering candles, blinking holiday lights, and fragrant evergreens are beautiful staples of the holiday season, but when used improperly, these holiday decorating “must haves” can pose deadly dangers. We urge you to keep safety in mind as you decorate for the holidays. Use the following electrical safety tips when decorating this year: • Ensure electric lights and decorations are rated for outdoor use when using them outdoors. • Plug outdoor electric lights and decorations into groundfault circuit interrupter (GFCI) receptacles (or portable GFCIs) to prevent electric shock. • Always check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. • Keep all decorations, including Christmas trees, at least three feet away from heating equipment or an open flame, such as a candle or fireplace. • Never attempt to extend the length of an extension cord by connecting it with another extension cord. Use an extension cord that is long enough to meet your needs. • Never connect more than three holiday light strings together.
NNSY will curtail operations this year beginning Dec. 24. Forty (40) hours of annual leave will be needed to cover the 2015 holiday curtailment period. Please plan your leave accordingly. The shipyard will be closed for all but essential operations on Dec. 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31, 2015, and Jan. 1, 2, and 3, 2016. Dec. 25, 2015 and Jan. 1, 2016 are official government holidays. Normal operations will resume Jan. 4, 2016.
Lab Hours In November, the Norfolk Naval Shipyard laboratory hours were extended to the following: Monday: 0630-1530 Tuesday: 0700-1530 Wednesday: 0630-1530 Thursday: 0700-1530 Friday: 0700-1200 These extended hours apply ONLY to the lab. The Occupational Health and Acute Care clinics will open at 0700. For questions regarding the hours of the clinic and lab, please contact Lt. Jannifer Wick at 953-6467.
» HATCH ACT
» HOLIDAY SAFETY NNSY wants you and your family to be safe this holiday season. If you find yourself in need of a ride, AAA Tidewater Virginia is sponsoring “Tipsy Tow” now through Jan. 1. The single goal of the program is to get individuals and their vehicles home safely. The program is confidential and is available to everyone, not just AAA members, so no one should hesitate to call 757-631-1700 if they are in a situation where they should not be driving home after drinking. The program is in effect now through 6 AM, Friday, Jan. 1. The program is available at no charge, but is not a substitute for planning ahead and using designated drivers. This program provides towing within the greater Hampton Roads area which includes the cities of Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Newport News, Hampton, Poquoson, Yorktown, and Williamsburg. The requesting individual must be with the vehicle at time of service and must have the keys to the vehicle.
With the 2016 presidential election ramping up, it's important to remember that as federal employees, both civilian and military, you are restricted in how and when you can express your political views and provide support to candidates. This restriction, commonly known as the Hatch Act, forbids federal civilian employees from engaging in political activity while on duty or in the workplace; engaging in political activity while in an official capacity; or soliciting or receiving political contributions at any time. Additionally, The U.S. Office of Special Counsel recently revised its guidance regarding the Hatch Act and federal civilian employee use of social media and email. Federal employees may use social media and email and comply with the Hatch Act if they remember the following guidelines: 1. Do not engage in political activity while on duty or in the workplace. Federal employees are "on duty" when they are in a pay status, other than paid leave, or are representing the government in an official capacity. Federal employees are considered "on duty" during telecommuting hours. 2. Do not engage in political activity in an official capacity at any time. 3. Do not solicit or receive political contributions at any time.
» EARN STORE Earn Store closed for the year The EARN Store has closed for the year and will reopen in January 2016. EARN Store employees are currently completing inventory and receiving new merchandise to ensure the store is fully stocked and ready to reopen. Please remember, all EARN forms must have a budget number in order to be redeemed.
» OPSEC Shipyard personnel must promptly report any form of contact with citizens, establishments, or entities of designated foreign countries, regardless of the nature of the relationship. Plans to visit these countries must also be shared. If you are unsure of the status of the country, please contact Mark Buckner at 396-1364 for a complete listing. Additionally, personnel with knowledge of shipyard employees who are traveling abroad frequently or failing to report their travel to foreign countries must report this behavior. Please contact Code 1122 at 396-3747, or Code 1127 at 396-3186 to report any of the above information.
DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • 9
2015 YEAR IN REVIEW Undocking the USS Maryland
bring on the BEST AND BRIGHTEST In early 2015, Shipyard Commander, Capt. Scott Brown, announced Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) would increase its workforce to more than 10,000 employees by the end of the fiscal year. “The Navy’s ships need our contribution,” said Brown. “We are looking for the best and brightest to bring into America’s Shipyard.” NNSY needs to increase the number of skilled crafstmen and apprentices in order to support the future workload and upcoming repairs.
OFF G N I D N E S KE A L N O M I THE S
“It’s a great day for everyone at NNSY,” said Jimmy Broom, Code 325 Project Superintendent on ex-USS Simon Lake (AS33) as the ship departed NNSY Feb. 5 for the Southgate facility. Since Sept. 2011, ex-Simon Lake had been going through an inactivation and radiological release availability in preparation for dismantling. The job entailed removing all the radioactive piping and components from the ship; exSimon Lake was then drydocked so the team could make a large hull cut and remove an internal tank. Once the tank was removed completely and sent off for disposal, the ship is put back together and maintained until ready to head off to its final destination. 10 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
UNIQUE CONVERSION FOR THE USS LA JOLLA
As a snowstorm loomed overhead NNSY the evening of Feb. 16, the USS Maryland (SSBN-738) undocking was in jeopardy of postponement. Pier 3 and Dry Dock 4 would soon be encased in snow and ice, halting work entirely due to safety hazards for shipyard workers and the ships’ crew. Yet when all hope seemed lost, the shipyard rose up together as a team, showing a sense of unity and willingness to get the job done as they banded together to shovel out and remove the ice and snow threatening the undocking.
NNSY welcomed USS La Jolla (SSN 701) Feb. 3 for its conversion from an operational fast-attack submarine into a Moored Training Ship (MTS), the first of two nextgeneration MTSes for the Nuclear Power Training Unit in Charleston, SC.
Whirly Portal Crane Transferred to Kings Bay During a windstorm in June 2009, Trident Refit Facility (TRF) at Kings Bay, Georgia, suffered the loss of one of its 60-ton waterfront heavy lift cranes. With no alternate crane available at TRF, and the Navy warfighting effort in full swing, NNSY, TRF, and NAVSEA 04 management determined that the most cost-effective path was to look for an internal solution. Dock Crane 36 (DC36), a Whirly Portal Crane, was purchased by the Navy in the early 1990s to replace the
existing antiquated cranes on NNSY’s waterfront. In the 2000s, the shipyard waterfront was updated with the completion of the crane rail inter-connect, allowing the shipyard's 40 gauge cranes to travel from Berth 43 to the waterfront end of Dry Dock 4. DC-36 was no longer needed to support production and was parked at Berth 22. The situation at TRF brought new life to the DC-36 when it was designated for overhaul and relocation to Kings Bay.
HUNDREDS OF HOPEFULS ATTEND NNSY CAREER FAIRS AT TCC NNSY hosted two career fairs at Tidewater Community College’s (TCC) Portsmouth Campus in March, putting the shipyard in good shape to bring on more than 1,500 new employees by the end of fiscal year 2015. Representatives from major departments throughout NNSY were on hand to meet with attendees and answer questions about career opportunities in the production skill trades. More than 2,800 potential shipyard employees attended the fairs.
NNSY DRY DOCKS USS LA JOLLA FOR MOORED TRAINING SHIP CONVERSION Three years of planning, teamwork, and attention to detail culminated April 16 when NNSY successfully dry docked USS La Jolla (SSN-701) for its conversion into a Moored Training Ship (MTS). Shipyard Commander, Captain Scott Brown, commended the docking effort as “a significant achievement with a newer build type using strongbacks versus blocks, superflooding the dock, a tight tide window, and tight clearances. This was a tremendous team effort three years in the making from design to docking.”
Capt. Silsdorf returns to NNSY The new NNSY Production Resources Officer, Capt. Beth Sisldorf, assumed her role in early 2015. For her 25-year carrier-centric naval career, Silsdorf is now on her third stint at NNSY.
FOURTH ANNUAL
STEM Career Day INSPIRES STUDENTS
NNSY hosted high school students from Chesapeake and Norfolk on April 14 and 16 for its fourth annual Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Career Days. The purpose of these STEM Career Days is to inspire young minds by enhancing student interest in STEM related educational opportunities and careers at NNSY. This year, more than 80 students from Western Branch High School and Granby High School attended the fair.
NNSY Completes Availability for USS Harry S Truman USS Harry S Truman (CVN-75) departed NNSY May 22 following the successful completion of its Carrier Incremental Availability. Major tasks completed on Truman included main engine and attached lube oil pump repairs; major inspections on the catapult accumulators and reboilers; and modernization of the propulsion plant and the ship's telephone system. NNSY work was comprised of approximately 135,000 mandays, with support also provided by Ship’s Force, Multi-Ship/Multi-Option (MSMO) contractor, Newport News Shipbuilding and Alteration Installation Teams (AITs). DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • 11
USS GEORGE H. W. BUSH ARRIVES FOR PIA
Admiral Davidson Visits NNSY Less than one month after the departure of USS Harry S Truman (CVN-75), Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) welcomed another vital member of the fleet. USS George H. W. Bush (CVN-77) arrived at the shipyard June 16 for an extended Planned Incremental Availability (PIA). Maintenance on Bush will total roughly 315,000 mandays, 27,000 of which are to be completed by Huntington Ingalls Newport News Shipbuilding and Multi-Ship Multi-Option (MSMO) contractors. The availability is scheduled to last eight months and one week, which is quite a bit longer than the normal six-month PIA.
Admiral Philip Davidson, Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, conducted an All Hands Call May 27 for personnel at NNSY. More than 2,000 attended to hear Davidson discuss the Optimized Fleet Response Plan (OFRP) and what it means to the workforce.
CELEBRATING
AMERICA'S SHIPYARD
Pride. It’s a feeling of satisfaction in one’s own achievements. Being proud of the work one does or the work done as a collective is everything NNSY strives for as America’s Shipyard. In an effort to raise the standard of excellence and to promote pride within the workforce and the nation, the shipyard held a week-long celebration June 29 – July 2 entitled “The Celebration of America and America’s Shipyard.” The week proceeded with various events and themed days for the workforce.
USS HELENA ARRIVES AT NNSY FOR HIGH PRIORITY DCMAV USS Helena (SSN-725), a Los Angeles-class submarine, arrived at NNSY July 21 for a high-priority Docking Continuous Maintenance Availability (DCMAV). Helena spent less than four months in the shipyard while workers completed the oil tank inspection and installed technology upgrades in the forward compartment. Critical path work for the Helena availability focused on the oil tank inspection and the submarine’s technical insertion upgrade, along with correcting any deficiencies that arose during deployment.
NNSY successfully completes DPIA for USS Dwight D Eisenhower USS Dwight D Eisenhower (CVN-69) departed NNSY Aug. 28 upon successful completion of its Drydocking Planned Incremental Availability (DPIA). Scheduled for 14 months, IKE spent nearly two years in the shipyard given the required maintenance was more extensive than originally estimated. It is the largest DPIA in the history of the four public shipyards, with NNSY’s portion requiring more than 685,000 mandays. Following completion of sea trials, IKE returned to its homeport at Naval Station Norfolk. 12 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
La Jolla Team Prepares to Add New Hull Sections
NNSY Completes Helena DCMAV Shop 71 Tank Cleaning Tool Saves Money and Mandays
Unique. Unprecedented. Groundbreaking. These are all descriptions used in recent months for the work NNSY is performing on USS La Jolla (SSN701) since its arrival in February 2015. Effective planning, coordination and teamwork have been paramount for converting this operational fast-attack submarine into a Moored Training Ship (MTS), the first of two next-generation vessels for the Nuclear Power Training Unit in Charleston, SC.
NNSY has entered a new era in shipboard tank cleaning after creating a new tool with the help of a NAVSEA Technology Transfer Program and Pennsylvania State University’s Applied Research Lab (ARL). This new process uses a commercial off-the-shelf tank cleaning tool held in place
by a series of extending arms attached to a magnetic base. A 360 degree head blasts water at 20,000 psi, delivering 20 gallons per minute and creating a cost efficient, safe, and productive way to clean and prepare oil storage tanks for structural repair hot work, modifications, and preservation.
USS Helena (SSN-725) was certified Nov. 12 after completing a highpriority Docking Continuous Maintenance Availability (DCMAV) one day early. Helena spent less than four months at NNSY receiving maintenance and technology upgrades.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS STAFF FAVORITE STORIES Mike's Pick
Kristi's Pick
Anna's Pick
Oscar Mathews is a Navy Lieutenant Commander, an Aerospace Engineering Ph.D. student, and an aspiring Martian. His dream is to be one of the first 24 humans to colonize Mars, a seemingly far-fetched fantasy that may actually be possible as early as 2026, thanks to an organization called Mars One. The first unmanned mission is scheduled to depart in 2020, followed by the first fourperson crews two years later. Mathews made it through the last round of cuts early this year and is among the remaining 100 finalists, (including only 33 Americans)...
He stands out in the frigid cold daily. He gets soaked by the rain on occasion. All while welcoming a seemingly endless caravan of employee vehicles through the gates of Norfolk Naval Shipyard. And he does it all with a perpetual smile on his face. He is Donald Hyman, a gate guard at NNSY for the past three-and-a-half years. He spreads his professionalism and courtesy across the shipyard gates, including Gates 3, 21 and 36. Summarizing his approach to work every day and his outlook on life at large, Hyman said, “I’m just myself. I just get to laugh and smile every day. Nobody can take my joy.”
Unique. Rare. Complex. These are all words that can describe the USS Albany (SVN 753) rudder removal, requiring a team of workers coming together in utilizing the Big Betts vertical lathe in Shop 31. The last time Shop 31 machined a rudder at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) was 1991 on the USS Wainwright (DLG-28)in 1991. when the team worked on a component, cutting the tapper and getting it fitted to be installed on the boat. The team worked together to get the job done, finishing up the assignment in early 2015.
Read this story in the May STTF.
Read this story in the February STTF.
Read this story in the March STTF. DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • 13
THE RHODE TO SUCCESS STORY BY ANNA TAYLOR • PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST PHOTOS BY SHAYNE HENSLEY • NNSY PHOTOGRAPHER USS Rhode Island (SSBN-740) is due to arrive at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) in December for its 27-month Engineered Refueling Overhaul (ERO), a major availability during which the submarine will be refueled and upgraded before returning to support the country’s nuclear deterrence strategy. During the months leading up to its arrival, Service to the Fleet is featuring “The Rhode to Success,” an installment focusing on some of the key project team members for the Rhode Island’s availability. The project, which was originally scheduled to take 32 months, was shortened to only 27, which means the project team has been working hard during the planning phase to keep the calendar on track to meet strategic deterrence mission requirements. “We’ve been looking at the amount of work it’s going to take, and we’ve got to do it in a compressed amount of time, so we’re thinking of things outside the box,” said Casey Schiffer, the project’s Assistant Chief Test Engineer. “It’s a massive amount of work to coordinate. We’re going to be looking upfront for anything that may delay us because if we get delayed at the start, it will affect the whole schedule.”
14 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
Code 246, Test Engineering Division, develops isolations for safe work release, ensures danger tags are hung correctly on the right components, and coordinates the testing involved after work completion. This work requires close coordination with ship’s force, production resources department personnel, and the shipyard engineering department, and when the [submarine] arrives, that coordination will become even more vital. “We’re not only responsible for getting the guys to work, our ultimate responsibility is getting them to work safely,” said Mike Bradley, the Rhode Island Project’s Chief Test Engineer. “So that’s probably one of the more important things we do is isolate the work so they can go work with energized and pressurized
systems all around them.” Rhode Island will be the highest priority availability in the shipyard when it arrives, which presents unique challenges and opportunities for NNSY to execute quality work despite the condensed schedule. “We always aim to get it done on time, but with this massive amount of work, we’ve got to make sure we don’t let it slide,” explained Bradley. “We’ve got to make sure people do what they say they’re going to do and when.” The high priority and compressed schedule required Schiffer and Bradley to re-think the way their code’s work has been performed in the past. “A lot of times, we might roll the work we do on one submarine over into the next. We’ve had to re-think our process entirely,” said Schiffer. “Our strategy with how we’re opening work sites and the sequence in which we get everything tagged out and given to production is rethought entirely.” For Code 246, the primary goal is releasing work to the shops sooner, which requires scrutinizing the calendar and moving system transfers to the left. “It’s vital because we’re the ones who get the production workers to work,” said Schiffer. “They need our signature to start work. We’re the ones who certify the ship to go back to sea.” Bradley and Schiffer consider themselves “another link in the chain” when it comes to the importance of their work. “Ultimately, we depend on production,” said Bradley. “They turn the wrenches and get the work done. It takes the whole shipyard to make it happen; we’re just a portion of it.”
▲ Above: Mike Bradley and Casey Schiffer, the Chief Test Engineer and Assistant Chief Test Engineering on the Rhode Island Project.
DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • 15
▲ Above: USS Nevada and USS WIsconsin in Dry Docks 3 and 4, May 1919.
Left: A group of
sailors and civilians work during the construction of Dry Dock 3 circa August 1905.
Partnering with National Archives to Preserve Our History STORY BY KRISTI BRITT • PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST
The Shipyard Audiovisual Instructional Design Center, Code 1170, has a wealth of talents inside the walls of their offices in Bldg. 13. With photographers, videographers, and graphic artists at its disposal, Code 1170 provides skilled work for not only Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) but all of NAVSEA. Code 1170 originally started out as the Shipyard Photo Lab and has been around since the development of photography. Within its span of history, the department has created images through 8’’ x 10’’ glass plate negatives, depicting the shipyard rising from the ground up in structure and unity. These glass plates negatives, some on file dating back to 1900, have seen the wear of time. As Code 1170 moved from building to building, the plates and negatives have been stored improperly. History has literally melted away from the glass, becoming a lost glimmer of the past unable to be revived. David C. Smith, Code 1170 Department Head, wanted to make sure these pieces of history 16 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
were properly taken care of and documented. More than three years ago he was presented with a possibility to truly preserve the shipyard’s life through images. “Julia Hickey, an Archivist from Defense Media Activity (DMA), heard about the glass plates and wanted to bring the plates to the National Archives for preservation. We were happy to oblige but before we could transfer the glass plates to the archives, we needed to make a high resolution digital copy of each one,” said Smith. “With more than 3,000 plates to sort through and digitize, it was a large job to accomplish.” Fresh at his job as a shipyard photographer in 2011, Shayne Hensley stepped up to take on the job. “I first tried to scan the plates in and it took about five to six minutes each. Determined to find the best way to document these photographs, I created a copy stand of my own with frosted plexiglass and a light underneath the plates so I could photograph them from above,” said Hensley. “With my process,
PHOTO BY SHAYNE HENSLEY • NNSY PHOTOGRAPHER
I was able to photograph the images with our highquality equipment within 20 seconds each. After they were documented, I then retouched each image and put them in our database. The entire job took a few years to complete.” When asked what pushed him to take on the project, Hensley’s answer was simple. “I wanted to be able to preserve the history of the shipyard. I’m extremely blessed to be able to work here and anything I can do to give back to the shipyard I want to be able to do,” he said. “And with these plates going to the National Archives and being properly cared for, I’m happy. I have the utmost respect for what they do. They are preserving their nation’s history and saving it for future generations. Without them, this history would be lost.” The images from the glass plates are dated between 1900 to 1927 and depict many of the shipyard buildings that are still in use to this day. Smith said, “Any organization that has anything to do with construction or remodeling has used these images from the plates to gauge the structures. Engineers, design groups, facilities are just some of who use these images in their work. There are even images of the Portsmouth Naval Hospital that are used as well. So
▲ Top: Glass plate storage boxes. Left: Shipyard employees beneath the hull of a ship. Above: Opening ceremony for Dry Docks 6 and 7.
it was highly important we made sure these images were properly documented.” Hickey and Tech. Sgt. Chris Belvins, also from DMA, came to the shipyard Nov. 5 to transport the glass plates to the National Archives. “We’re excited to have a partnership with Norfolk Naval Shipyard and to preserve this history that so few have been able to see until now,” said Hickey. “The physical property will be properly cared for and we want to bring these images to the public.” DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • 17
Nov. 17. Each received a Technician Career Studies Certificate and were one step closer to becoming master tradesmen. Adm. Philip Davidson, Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, was the keynote speaker, sharing the impact the graduates have not only on the shipyard but on the community as well. “Your work and your service create a positive and lasting difference in our ships and submarines and most importantly for our Sailors. Just like the 6,000 men and women who deployed with USS Harry S Truman (CVN-75) Strike Group this past Monday,” said Adm. Davidson. “Harry S Truman, like hundreds before her, is just another in a line of deployers powered by the efforts of thousands of NNSY workers, a team that’s been making a difference for more than 200 years. “Graduates, tonight, you leave behind 3,000 Navy apprentices in our public shipyards and join the ranks as journeymen, exquisitely talented artisans that design, modify, test and deliver combat capable ships and submarines for our sailors,” he said. “You have become the lifeblood of our readiness engine – powering the Fleet and protecting America around the globe. Your work, your service, builds the foundation of safety, security and freedom that Americans enjoy each and every day. And, for that, you can be very proud.” One of the most dedicated graduates present was the Apprentice Program Class of 2015 valedictorian, Justin Henson. A Shop 17 Sheet Metal Mechanic, he is a Norfolk resident and a 2005 Norview High School graduate. He entered the apprentice program in August
APPRENTICE GRADUATION From Apprentices To Journeymen: Congrats to the Graduating Class STORY BY KRISTI BRITT • PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST PHOTOS BY CODE 1170 PHOTOGRAPHERS It’s a four year journey for Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) apprentices to complete a calculated training program including academics, trade theory, and on-the-job experiences. Each apprentice finds his or her path along one of 25 trades across the shipyard, their time and dedication leading them toward the goal of becoming journeymen. The 226 graduates were celebrated during the annual Apprentice Graduation and Awards Ceremony 18 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
2011, graduating with a 3.9 GPA and was promoted to journeyman six months early. “For most, this journey started four years ago, but for me it started six years ago as I was rejected for two years. I came into the shipyard wanting to prove to myself day after day that I’m an asset and should have been hired sooner,” said Henson, sharing how honored he was to be there with his fellow graduates. Henson wanted to share a message of encouragement, saying, “I would like to encourage each and every one of you to apply yourself not only at work but in your everyday life. Always be mindful that your job is important and you should always perform to the best of your ability. No matter what you’re tasked to complete, always remember that there will never be a job as important as the one you have. Protect and distinguish yourself with it because just being qualified isn’t enough.” As many celebrated their road to journeymen coming to an end, there were also many who noted the absence of Portia Drummond, an apprentice supervisor who passed away in September. Many cited her as an inspiration to the apprentices. Outgoing Apprentice Association President and Shop 31 Inside Machinist, Brandon Goodman, dedicated a speech in honor of their late teacher. “She was someone who from the moment she walked into a room, she brightened our day and encouraged us to work hard,” said Goodman. “She combined love with attitude to push us all to be here today. I hope we can all be like Mrs. Drummond and know that there’s someone out there right now who could use our love and support. Be there for one another. We are America’s Shipyard.” As the class of 2015 takes the next step in their journey, they prepare themselves to help mold the minds of future apprentices. They take their tools in hand and become a role model for those around them, working hard to service NNSY and the Navy.
FMA DEMONSTRATED & POTENTIAL LEADERSHIP AWARD Code 920 • Justin T. Henson NCMA SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Code 135 • Anthony R. Litchfield OUTSTANDING APPRENTICE AWARDS: Code 920 • Ray L. Waterfield III Code 930 • Adam C. Seamster Code 950 • Jake J. Conrad Code 960 • John C. Joyce Code 970 • Matthew L. Earley Code 700 • Sarita A. Grant Code 135 • Jacob S. Parker
THE GRADUATES * HONORS | ** VALEDICTORIAN
Darrell L. Alexander* Brian S. Ali Benjamin D. Almodovar* George A. Altamero* Jimmie A. Anderson Jr* Amy M. Anderson* JaLauna B. Anderson* Lauren M. Anderson* Robert A. Anderson* Stephen D. Angelozzi* Marcus J. Banks Jahmal J. Bazil Perry W. Beasley Jr. Alexander D. Blagg
Nicholas J. Bove Kenneth R. Boyd Steven R. Bradley* Jeremy C. Bradstock Victoria J. Brinkley* Fredreka L. Broadnax Kevin C. Brown Andre' Brown* Anthony D. Brown* David F. Bryant* Jonathan G. Buck Justin R. Burch Bryan M. Burhenne* Robert D. Burnell
20 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
James P. Butler Robert G. Byrd Patrick R. Carnes* Harry D. Cesar Joseph P. Ciccone* Brittany M. Clark* Kenneth E. Colden Jr. Jake J. Conrad* Avery B. Cotton* Shameka M. Cromuel* Christina K. Cypress* John W. Davis Delcasey J. Davis* Jovan S. Dawes
Chamaine N. DeBerry Adrin K. Diggs* Deveda C. Diggs* LaToya T. Diggs* Denise D. Dillard* William P. Divers* Sade' A. Donald* Joseph M. Doughtie* Jonathan P. Drake* Daniel A. Duncan* Ryan W. Dyal Matthew L. Earley* Ronnie M. Edmonds Jr. Gregory L. Eelman*
Robert E. Ennis* Benjamin C. Epperly* Dajuan T. Everett Stephanie L. Files* Suzanne A. Fizzano* Shaun M. Fleming* Robert P. Fly* Ronisha L. Ford Joshua W. Foreman* Joshua F. Foy* Tyree Franklin II Nicholas A. Gayle* Gerald P. Gaynor Brandon N. Gianquitto*
Christopher D. Gladstone* Benjamin A. Gleaton James L. Golson Aaron E. Goodman Brandon D. Goodman Bryant V. Gordon* Nicholas A. Gorza Justin C. Graham* Sarita A. Grant Russell W. Gressley Nicholas C. Gressley* Daniel R. Gurganus*
Cornishea M. Haley Elizabeth A. Hamby* Jeffery L. Hamlin* Nicholas J. Haney* Frederick P. Harding Jr. Christopher A. Harrison Christopher D. Hartless* Jonathan A. Hasty* Brett P. Hazelette Justin T. Henson** Richard P. Herrmann* NaQuan M. Hoggard
Dennis R. Hooks Nathaniel V. House* Crystal B. Hughes Susan R. Humphrey Philip G. Imhof* Seth M. Irving Randy L. Jackson* Thirland D. Jackson* Alexander A. Jakimjuk* George N. Jefferson II* Stephen P. Jernigan Branford A. Johnson*
Brian J. Johnson* Anissa T. Jones Cicely M. Jones* Danielle Y. Jones* Kyrie L. Jon'francis Alim A. Jordan* Shaun E. Josie* John C. Joyce* Kevin P. Keane* Joshua B. Keech David B. Kiederling Zachariah C. Killian*
James A. Kinard Alexis M. Kirk* Nicholas L. Klein* Richard K. Korstjens* Richard K. Krainiak Quinton D. Lacy Jr. Collette A. Lampkin Derrick D. Laster Matthew R. Lee* Matthew G. Legg* Cambari' L. Leinart* Franklin T. Lewis
DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • 21
Eric R. Lewis Jr* Joseph C. Lindner* Anthony R. Litchfield* Jonathan D. Lockhart Roger B. Lowe* Craig M. Lyles* Mathew J. MacCord* Kim A. Maio* Philip J. Malmgren* Benjamin C. Marfio Cameron L. Mason* Spencer S. Matsushima*
Derrick L. McCorkle Tempestt C. McCoy* Jonathan K. McLin Brian K. McPherson* Dominique J. Minter Alex T. Mundy* Matthew K. Murphy Jeffrey A. Myers Zachary M. Nelson Gregory A. Nelson* David E. Nettles Matthew G. O'Neal*
Walter L. Osbon* Eric J. Otranto Keith L. Owens* David M. Ozee* Primas O. Paige Monique J. Parker Jacob S. Parker* Joanna W. Pate* James R. Patton* Shawn S. Peay* Victoria L. Pendleton* Printice B. Perry Jr.
Brittany S. Spivey Daniel Srebro* Richard C. Stapleton Travis S. Stocks Dunta D. Sutton* Matthew R. Taylor LaToya A. Taylor* Gregory M. Treadway Jason D. Turner* Nicholas R. Tuttle Crystal L. Tyler* Mike E. Van Raam*
Amber J. Vann Jenny Venters Douglas R. Vick* Cody E. Waller* John C. Waller* Brian R. Ward Ray L. Waterfield III* Aaron L. Waters Keyon J. Waters Bryan K. Watson Christopher A. Weal William J. White*
Ashley N. Whitfield* Brandon M. Whitlow Leonard L. Whittemore Jr.* David Williams* Makeesha M. Williams* Mary E. Williams* Daniel W. Williamson* Richard L. Winston III* St. Ephraim Wofford Bruce L. Woods* Emanuel T. Wright Jr. Jonathan M. Wynne*
22 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
Benjamin J. Perry* William L. Phillips Xavier L. Powell Calvin K. Powell* Tyler D. Rabidoux* Michael S. Raikes* Monique N. Reese* Christopher M. Renfrew Mark M. Ro Jacob M. Rose Kimberly G. Rose Joseph L. Rowe
Tyler G. Rowe* Roland F. Salvanera* Steven J. Saunders Aimee L. Savage* Jordan D. Schoonover Adam C. Seamster* Robert J. Simpson* Tynecia H. Simpson* Edgar Smith Jr. Ryan S. Smith* Daniel L. Songer* Jerrell E. Spellman
▲ Above: Sarah Winters and Avis Pope. Left: Pope discusses upcoming work with her team at a brief for the USS Albany (SSN-753) project.
SHIPYARD SPOTLIGHT STORY BY ANNA TAYLOR | PHOTOS BY SHAYNE HENSLEY Avis Pope speaks softly. She’s always been introverted, and would rather immerse herself in work than make small talk around the water cooler, but her calm and quiet demeanor is part of what makes Pope a great supervisor; she doesn’t yell, she doesn’t sweat the small stuff, and she knows the true value of quiet diligence. “I feel like the way she does her job is how all supervisors should do their job,” said Sarah Winters, a Shop 26 Welding Apprentice Graduate who works for Pope. “If she tells me something, I know it’s right. She knows what she’s doing. She knows the rules. And I don’t think she knows the definition of stress.” Pope, a Shop 26 Welding Supervisor on the USS Albany (SSN-753) project, came to Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) in 1972 as a Shop 26 Apprentice just four days after her 18th birthday. Her passion has always been working on submarines, but when her family began to grow, she was more frequently working in the shop than on the waterfront, and eventually took a hiatus from NNSY. When her five sons were old enough, and after the Reductions in Force (RIF) of the 1990s, Pope returned to work at the shipyard. “After a while, people were encouraging me to put in for supervisor but I just really enjoyed welding,” said Pope. “Whatever job capacity I’m in, I’m going to give it all I got. The day I became a work leader, my supervisor left me on Wednesday and I didn’t see him again until Monday, so I learned a lot on the job.” When asked about the legacy she hopes to leave behind, Pope said, “I would like people to remember me as a hard worker. I do what I have to do. I just enjoy treating people fairly.”
Pope’s fondest memory of her childhood involves quiet days inside playing with her dolls, which may seem a far cry from the seasoned welder she is today. “I’ve learned I can be a leader,” she said. “As a child I was very shy. My husband encouraged me to be a supervisor. I can be a leader, and I am a leader, and I want to leave the legacy of a good leader.” Pope’s sons are now grown, and she has 13 grandchildren to occupy her free time away from work. “When I go home, it’s just me and my husband,” she said. “We’ve been together since junior high school. I met this guy and that was it. It’s been the two of us ever since. We spend a lot of quality time together and with our grandkids. We have a lot of good family time together.” All told, Pope has spent more than 30 years inside the shipyard gates, and hasn’t yet considered a time when she won’t be working at NNSY. “Right now, I still have the zest and zeal to work.” “You have to be a special person to work in the shipyard,” she added. “It’s like no place you’ve ever been.”
10 THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT Avis Pope 1. 2.
I'm a Libra. If I had a superpower, I would try to put love for one another in people’s heart. 3. My favorite TV show is Jeopardy. 4. My favorite food would have to be chicken. 5. I am embarrassed to admit I love Okra. 6. "Be Blessed" by Yolanda Adams is my favorite song. 7. My lucky number is seven. 8. My favorite candy is peanut brittle. 9. My favorite place I’ve ever visited is New York City. 10. I love the way eucalyptus smells.
DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • 23
Five Reasons Core Competencies are Important to Employees STORY BY ANNA TAYLOR • PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST PHOTOS BY SHAYNE HENSLEY • NNSY PHOTOGRAPHER The workload at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) continues to surge both in scope and significance. Many departments are coping with the loss of skilled workers and the resulting experience gap created by Reductions In Force (RIF) in the 1990s and retirements. Propelled by the Performance Improvement Plan (PIP), changes are being made to ensure the shipyard’s young and energetic workforce is sufficiently equipped to execute the mission of America’s Shipyard, and the new core competencies and workforce development pipelines are perhaps the most integral part of the system. There are five reasons why the new core competencies, workforce development pipelines, and annual assessments are important to shipyard employees. 1. BUILD YOUR CAREER PATH Competencies are knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors an employee needs to adequately perform a job. In less than two years, more than 40 percent of the shipyard’s workforce will have five years of experience or less, which means many of those competencies will be underdeveloped. “We’re over the hump, we’re at the downslope,” said Jim Duke, Employee Development Branch Head (Code 228), alluding to the oft referenced “double hump” graph depicting the age and experience levels of NNSY’s workforce. “We have to define the paths to develop our employees and make sure they are getting what they need.” In the past, departments at NNSY were able to pair up young employees with their more experienced counterparts. Because of the influx of new workers and high rates of attrition, the shipyard is struggling to preserve the traditional mentor model. “I started nine years ago, and there used to be a lot of senior engineers around, and we don’t have that mentor relationship as much anymore,” said Matt Hamrick, Process Controls Division (Code 220A). “For new employees, the core competencies give them a path; it gives them some clarity so they can see what development looks like for specific areas.” 2. EMPOWER YOURSELF Workforce development pipelines delineate a potential career path for employees across the shipyard, regardless of trade or expertise. Options for training along the way are outlined, and expectations are clearly defined to eliminate surprises and guess work. “This allows you to take ownership of your career,” explained Duke. “Who else is going to be your best advocate?” 24 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
The new pipelines allow for a certain amount of shared accountability between the supervisor and employee. Instead of relying on a supervisor to initiate training or request an Individual Development Plan (IDP), the employee is now empowered to make decisions about his or her future. “I think having something like this is beneficial because, when you’re new to the shipyard, you have no idea what to expect,” said Linda Lugo-Mundy, a Structural Group (Code 920) Administrative Assistant. “These pipelines show the career paths and what employees need to start thinking about in order to get themselves to those goals.” To Shipyard Commander, Capt. Scott Brown, empowerment is second to none when it comes to the importance of process improvement. “It starts by establishing clear expectations and accountability in our daily operations,” he said. “As for our deck plate mechanics, there should be no question how your priorities align with your project team and the shipyard as a whole.” 3. KNOW YOUR OPTIONS For craftsmen like Ray Smith, a Shipfitting Shop (Shop 11) Mechanic, having access to the development pipelines creates peace of mind that wasn’t always available before. “It makes you feel more comfortable,” he explained. “When new employees get to the shipyard, they’re uncomfortable. [The pipelines] introduce employees to the work in a way so they feel more confident and competent. So they go out to the waterfront and are able to perform better.” Scott Saunders, Code 920’s Nuclear Surface Craft Director, has worked at the shipyard for 37 years and knows firsthand the frustrations associated with an unclear career path. “The visual mapping is a lot better. Having been here for so many years, from the start, nobody had anything that showed you the career progression,” he said. “We used to just be sent to training with no explanation. So now when you look
Submarine Mechanical/Piping Branch (Code 265). “I think this will be a very valuable resource for new employees and a great way to visualize their progress over time.”
at the pipeline, you can see the things you need to learn between point A and point B. It’s a flowchart, it’s a road map, it identifies the different arenas of work you might get qualified to do.” 4. CREATE OPEN DIALOGUE WITH YOUR SUPERVISOR The development of these new pipelines has been a multi-shop collaborative effort, and when all is said and done, core competencies will be a standard tool across the shipyard. For the employee, it’s a way to understand personal and professional development from an entirely new angle, and it’s a dynamic way to encourage open dialogue with supervisors. “It is important because you cannot expect to hold someone accountable for their performance if you have not clearly communicated your expectations,” said John Veal, Electrical Group (Code 950) Superintendent. “You should be having this dialogue to get your employees’ feedback on whether your expectations are reasonable and achievable.” According to Hamrick, one of the biggest barriers will be getting supervisors to stop the daily firefighting and allow for time to discuss opportunities with employees. “I think it will help boost morale for mechanics because you’ll understand where you’re going and why you’re going there,” said Matt Hall, a Nuclear Welder in Shop 26. “Coming in from the apprenticeship, we just went where they sent us without knowing the reason. This will clear all of that up.” The intent is not to burden supervisors or employees with additional work, and understanding the importance of workforce development pipelines may require a new approach to the traditional model of goals and assessments. “When I first came on, I looked for something like this to try to get an idea of what I needed to know for the job,” said Rebecca Whitworth,
5. INSTITUTE CHANGE AT AMERICA’S SHIPYARD The key to success is flexibility. As the new protocol becomes commonplace at the shipyard, and as young employees begin assuming leadership roles in the coming years, the core competencies and workforce development pipelines will become second nature. Required proficiencies will grow and change as the workload fluctuates and technologies transform. “I tell brand new employees when they come in the shipyard, 'you have value the minute you show up on the deckplate,'” says Duke. New employees, whether they are engineers or machinists, look at the shipyard with fresh eyes. “They’re going to see things for the first time and say, ‘why don’t we do it this way instead?’ And that’s extremely valuable to me as a supervisor to be able to see we have a better way of doing something. We need to use the collective intelligence to move forward. So I’m excited to have that open dialogue that enables us to use those ideas, to let the employees help us improve as an organization.” One of the first steps to this overhaul was identifying employees’ core competencies at the department level to set the foundation and plot the developmental continuum. The shipyard’s goal is to have workers aligned and progressing through the pipelines by the end of Fiscal Year 2016, an aggressive but achievable end. “Looking back at my first five years at the shipyard, there was no such program,” said Mike Zydron, Code 200 Engineering Planning Manager. “You got dropped in where the biggest need was, there was very little planned training, there was no career path established, and it was mostly on-the-job training, coaching, and mentoring. Fast forward to the vision now, we actually give folks the ability to see a clear path to becoming full performance level. We owe this to our employees. We owe them the path to success to become subject matter experts in the areas we need them most. We’re accelerating the change, so we’ve got to accelerate our efforts.” DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • 25
PHOTO BY LUKE BEASLEY • NNSY PHOTOGRAPHER
NNSY Completes Helena DCMAV Early BY ANNA TAYLOR • PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST USS Helena (SSN-725), a Los Angeles-class submarine, was oversight, review, and detailed certification. certified Nov. 12 after completing a high-priority Docking Continuous “A day is a week. In this availability, you’re going at such a Maintenance Availability (DCMAV) one day early. Helena spent fast pace that if you lose a day, you lose a week,” said Lt. Cmdr. Joe less than four months at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) receiving Klopfer, Helena’s Deputy Project Superintendent. “I can't overstate required maintenance and a technical insertion upgrade. the dedication on the deck plate from the mechanics, supervisors, and Helena’s early undocking was a strategic decision to allow for zone managers. One of the keys to success was how hard the guys additional unplanned work and testing to be completed at Naval worked and committed to getting the job done right the first time." Station Norfolk. Both Ensley and Klopfer agree communication between the “We certified USS Helena one day early, but there were complicated deckplates and chain of command was crucial during the availability issues that had to be resolved with intensified planning by the team because of resource constraints and quantity of repairs that were not to accomplish our mission,” explained Pat in the initial work package. “I think that Ensley, Helena Project Superintendent. is what this project did better than any "Most of all, I would like to “During major availabilities, there is more project I’ve been on,” said Klopfer. “If we time for projects in pre-planning to allow needed something all we had to do was ask personally thank you for doing teams to cohesively develop. We really didn’t for support and the shipyard responded.” what most said could not be have the time for that in this availability, so Completing the DCMAV early was a we had to find other methods to quickly major accomplishment for NNSY and the done. Good on you. I am close those gaps. Great daily interaction project team, and the achievement did not looking forward to working with go unnoticed. and establishing good relationships with all of you again in the future." the crew of Helena was a major key to our "The early completion of Helena's success.” DCMAV has given the Submarine - Pat Ensley, Project This meant continuous execution Squadron Six Commander a vital asset Superintendent planning with the entire project team, by back that is immediately able to support the clearly identifying the scope of work to be fleet,” said Helena Commanding Officer, accomplished, and validation of the plan daily with ship’s force in an Cmdr. Jason Pittman. “Helena will also deploy next year, and the effort to keep the availability on track. key to successful preparation for deployment is time at sea. Getting “We had to make sure that every day we aggressively worked on that valuable time at sea is a fight that is won by the daily battles getting the negative float out of our schedule,” explained Ensley. “I to complete maintenance effectively and on time. Norfolk Naval always wanted to remain predictable, so it was important that daily Shipyard's tremendous work getting us back to sea early ensures that updates to the schedule were accurate and reliable. By maintaining our preparations are getting started on the right foot." an accurate daily schedule I was better at making proper decisions and “The team’s efforts were recognized at the highest levels, which is adjustments to get the boat back to the fleet on-time.” a direct reflection of their dedication and commitment to America's The project encountered several hurdles along the way, including Shipyard,” added Ensley. “It was amazing to see such a diverse a large volume of unplanned Submarine Safety Program (SUBSAFE) background of personnel come together so quickly and work so work, which had to be tightly controlled and required a high-level of effectively.” 26 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
◄ Top Left: Helena in the dry dock during the flooding process. Photo by Shayne Hensley, NNSY Photographer. Bottom Left: Pat Ensley, Helena Project Superintendent (left) and Lt. Cmdr. Joe Klopfer, Deputy Project Superintendent, stand beneath Helena in the dry dock. Photo by Tony Anderson, NNSY Photographer.
"In the case of the Helena project, there were two strong watch teams, coupled with strong engineering, production, and radiological controls teams, and the result was an exceptional performance.” Timothy Ribble, Code 2340 Nuclear Chief Test Engineer PHOTO BY SHAYNE HENSLEY • NNSY PHOTOGRAPHER
"I am proud to have had the opportunity to work with this exceptional team and undoubtedly one of the finest crews in the fleet." Richard Thomas; Code 246 Non-Nuclear Hull, Mechanical, & Electrical Chief Test Engineer
RUNNING TO SERVE: NANSEMOND STUDENT RAISES $1K FOR WOUNDED WARRIORS PROJECT STORY BY JENNIFER ZINGALIE • PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE RICE FAMILY “I want to be a person who saves lives and helps others,” said Bryan Rice, a 17-year-old senior at Nansemond River High School and son of Mike Rice, the Safety and Health Division Head (Code 106.2) at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY). An avid runner since the age of 12, it was a torn ligament, surgery, and time off from his track and field team that inspired Bryan to organize a race of his own. In fact, he believed the perfect backdrop for such a race would be the annual Driver Days Festival, held every October in Suffolk, Va. “I have been going to this festival since I was a kid, and I always said if they had a race I would run in it,” said Bryan. Yet, more than an opportunity to share his passion for running, he also knew it was a chance to support an organization he firmly believes in, the Wounded Warrior Project. “If I was in the military and something bad happened, I would want someone to help out. I chose to support Wounded Warriors because I wanted to help make sure they stay around,” said Bryan. Between 70 registered runners, sponsorships, and the sale of additional products, he was able to raise more than $1,000 through his race. “He has always had a servant’s heart,” said the elder Rice. “He is a big help to my wife and me and is always thinking of others before himself. In fact, his future plans include joining the Coast Guard and applying for the Search and Rescue Helicopter Pilot program. We couldn’t be more proud.” Although Rice and his wife helped support their son, Bryan did the majority of the work organizing the race. A self-proclaimed
introvert, he stepped out of his comfort zone to present his idea to the 12-person Driver Merchant Association. He developed flyers and T-shirts, and solicited funds from local businesses, as well as volunteers from his other extracurricular activities which include the Beta Club and National Honor Society. With a little help from his dad, Bryan also found volunteers at NNSY through the National Civilian Managers Association (NCMA). “My parents have always been there and taught me a good work ethic. Putting on this race, I was able to apply what they taught me, and I am very appreciative for that,” said Bryan “I know this challenged him,” said Rice. “I think this has given him a lot of confidence and has taught him a lot about what he is capable of doing.” Ultimately, Bryan’s hard work paid off. The race took place Oct. 17 and 18 at the 22nd Annual Driver Days Festival. The race included a one mile leg for ages six through 12 and a 5k for ages 12 and up. Runners got to experience the newly opened Seaboard Coastline Trail and the first three males and females in each category were awarded a medal. The second place male winner of the 5k category happened to be Christopher Renfrew of NNSY’s Code 135 (Quality Assurance), who completed the race in 21 minutes and 24 seconds. Because the race was so successful. many participants have asked if he plans to put it on again next year. “Because of my future plans, I will be passing this venture on to another high school student,” said Bryan, who hopes the race will become a reccurring event at the festival. And although he is passing on the torch for the race, he still has plans to serve. He has not enlisted yet, but he is already striving to live the core values of the Coast Guard: “…We exist to serve. We serve with pride…” According to Bryan, the most valuable lesson he learned from this race is that serving others can be a lot of fun. “At the end of the event a lot of people came up to me and told me they had a good time,” he said. “I’m glad I could have done that for them.” Top: Mike Rice and his son, Bryan. Left: Driver Days 5K for the Wounded Warriors Project the morning of the race.
THE SHOP 06 TOOL ROOM MAKING IMPROVEMENTS DAILY STORY BY KRISTI BRITT • PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST PHOTOS BY SHAYNE HENSLEY • NNSY PHOTOGRAPHER When Laura Herrin came into the Shop 06 Tool Room as a First Line Supervisor a few years ago, she felt the struggle that came with the job. She lost 21 people to retirement, leaving almost all of her team with only three years of experience or less, including 90 percent of her management. There were issues in the organization and inventory of the tool room and some of her biggest challenges were faced in calibration tools and how to properly store them. With only a week on the job, Herrin faced her first audit of the tool room, and it was clear major changes needed to be made. “As a team, we began to pinpoint our biggest problems and work together to fix them,” said Herrin. “We began to organize all of our items and properly inventory them, updating them frequently to guarantee we had the correct numbers. We got ourselves properly trained on how to store our tools and we began to think of new and creative ways to improve ourselves and our processes.” One of the biggest projects the team tackled was the organization of its warehouse in Bldg. 278, which housed many items that were no longer useful to the shipyard. Going through and cleaning up the warehouse, the team made sure any usable items was properly stored and items that were no longer needed were issued into Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office. Herrin wants to completely change the culture of the shipyard tool room. “There are a lot of times where Tool Control is blamed for not having enough tools in the shipyard and we face several hurdles we must overcome,” she said. “One of those is budget restraints while another is tools not returning to us once we issue them out. We’ve had a lot of problems in the past with this so we’ve sought out ways to better document all of our tools coming and going from the tool room. We want it to not only be to keep for our inventory, but also to help instill that sense of ownership within those who use the tools.” Work Leader Darryl Freeney has been part of Herrin’s team for more than two years and has high hopes for the new system. “We hope to be able to train the entire shipyard and teach them to take responsibility in caring for the equipment,” he said. “Everyone should look out for one another and make sure the equipment has a lasting life here at the shipyard.”
▲ Top left: Clinton "Brian" Gillins, Edward "Ed" Bennett, Vanita Bracey, Darryl Freeney, and Jessica Younger. Top right: Blanche Tetzlaff.
▲ Top: The rool room management team. Above left: Gillins, Darien Jolly, and Bennett. Above right: Laura Herrin, Algy "Al" Borum, and Younger.
George “Keith” Bradshaw, Tool Coordinator for Code 960, added “with the tracking system we’re working on, we can all keep up with the tools and make sure that everyone knows what they have in their care and make sure it gets back to us soon.” Herrin said the tool room is continuing to make improvements every day to better serve the shipyard, it’s important to know they have come a long way from when she first joined. “For the first time since I joined the team, we passed our audit with flying colors this year. I couldn’t be prouder of our team.” DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • 29
Bright Ideas Spark to Life: The Fahy Frame STORY BY KRISTI BRITT • PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST PHOTOS BY SHAYNE HENSLEY • NNSY PHOTOGRAPHER
▲ John Tate, Bobby Truitt, Kenny Kinstler, and Adam Fahy stand with the Fahy Frame.
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Second Year Apprentice Adam Fahy stepped into the Electrical Shop (Shop 51) Breaker section with ambition to get the job done. As someone who worked on cars in his spare time, Fahy was no stranger to manual labor and working with engines. When he realized the process of working on car engines was similar to working on breakers, he knew there had to be a better way to get the job done. Seeing the heavy strain on the worker manually lifting and turning the breakers in order to work on them, Fahy used his experience working on engines to come up with an idea for a way forward. After discussions with his then zone manager, Matt Bickley, as well as with his wife who also worked at NNSY in the Structural Department (Code 920), he found himself at the Rapid Prototype Lab (RPL) for assistance. “Adam reached out to us at the Innovation Fair during the Celebration of America and America’s Shipyard event in July,” said John Tate, Code 930 Toolmaker with the RPL. “He came to us with a bright idea to help improve his job not only for him but for everyone who worked the job. He wanted to improve processes to help make sure the ships were taken care of as quickly, safely and as efficient as possible.” At approximately 540 pounds each, the breakers needed to be flipped repeatedly to be worked on from all sides. Workers would use their full body in order to spin the tool, often having to work with others in order to get the job done safely. Fahy had a modified engine stand at home so he utilized that design in his idea, working with the RPL to create a sort of casing to attach to the breaker and give it a full range of motion without exerting the worker to full capacity. “It’s more than I could have ever imagined,” said Fahy. “The design put the breakers on casters that allow it to spin in all directions. It
makes the job safer, faster, and it makes the breakers easier to maneuver. The worker is able to stay in one position and spin the breaker and work on the desired section with ease.” Code 920’s Kenny Kinstler, one of the RPL team members, worked with Fahy on the design and helped it go from paper to reality. “We worked the design similar to the inside of a rotisserie oven, giving the breaker full range of motion for use. We got the concept and went to work,” said Kinstler. “I can’t give enough praise to everyone who was part of this job. We had Code 920 Welders, Shop 17 Sheet Metal Mechanics, and Shop 71 Painters, a full team giving us time, materials, and effort into helping and we couldn’t have done it without them. That’s what’s so key about this shipyard. We all make connections and we take care of each other to get the job done.” The Fahy Frame, as its creator referred to it, is already gauging improvements for its future jobs. Fahy calculates the device will eliminate a couple days off the work time for each breaker, which will multiply by 50 breakers for carriers and 20 to 30 for submarines. “It’s truly exponential to see what this one device can do,” said Fahy. “I couldn’t be more proud of what we have accomplished here. Every time I watched its development progress, my smile just kept getting bigger and bigger. Christmas has come early for me this year. I can’t wait to use it for the first time on the job. It’s going to take care of the workers and give them the ability to get more work done in a shorter period of time. And I can’t wait to see what else we can improve next.” ▼ Bottom Left: Tate, Fahy, and Kinstler inspect the Fahy Frame. Bottom Right: Adam Fahy, creator of the Fahy Frame.
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HEALTH AND WELLNESS FAIR SUPPORTS ONE OF NNSY’S TOP PRIORITIES Story by Jennifer Zingalie • Public Affairs Specialist Photos by Shayne Hensley • NNSY Photographer Employees from Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) attended the annual Health and Wellness Fair hosted by the Waterfront Support Branch (Code 1102.3) at building 1575 Nov. 13. Elaine Richardson, Supervisory Administrative Management Specialist for Code 1102, who assisted with the fair, said each year the fair is held in conjunction with the annual federal employee benefits open season which began Nov. 9 and will last until Dec 14. Like other years, representatives from a variety of health plans were present to help employees understand the advantages of the plans before opting to enroll, update, or change their plan. The goal of this year’s fair was to coincide with one of the command’s top priorities, well-being. Representatives were asked to emphasize wellness and share the preventative care options their plans offer. “Preventative care includes things like tobacco cessation classes, weight loss initiatives, and other things along those lines,” said Richardson. The fair included the NNSY Safety and Health Department (Code 106) in an effort to raise awareness of industrial hygiene. “We also want people to be aware of what can harm them on the waterfront to include health hazards that may have long-term effects,” said NNSY Industrial Hygienist, Robert Garrett. “It is important people understand and are reminded of what they can do to protect themselves.” “We talk about safety a lot here and the fact is, one way we can improve our safety posture is by improving the overall health of our shipyard,” added Shipyard Commander, Capt. Scott Brown. “Caring about people’s knowledge, health, and safety invokes trust in the organization.” Representatives from the NNSY Branch Medical Clinic were invited to attend the fair and provided information and materials to employees about living healthier lifestyles, getting their blood pressure checked on a regular basis, tobacco cessation, and eye and ear care. 32 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • DECEMBER 2015/JANUARY 2016
The Civilian Employee Assistance Program (CEAP) was also present. Richardson said it is important employees understand CEAP not only offers help in the area of addiction, but also in crisis management, relationship issues, legal concerns, and financial matters. Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) attended to promote the gym and to share information about the rental opportunities available to employees, such as recreational items, event centers, and the auto hobby shop. One of the highlights of the MWR booth was the fitness challenges where participants won various MWR prizes. Brown got in on the action, competing against Jeremy Holgersen, a Pipefitter from Shop 11, in a timed plank contest. It was Capt. Brown, who, with a 25 pound bag on his back, proudly held the plank position for approximately four minutes to Holgersen’s three. Although he didn’t receive an MWR prize, Brown did receive the satisfaction of personally promoting well-being. “The wellness initiative is something the command started this year,” said Richardson. “We try to have quarterly wellness fairs so this year we decided to incorporate the fourth quarter's event with our annual health fair.”