The Littoral Combat Ship Combat System Engineering Team received the award of merit for group achievement for their support to USS Independence (LCS 2) and USS Fort Worth (LCS 3). [ Click on image for larger rendition ]
DAHLGREN, Va.—Eighty-nine individuals and 14 teams were honored with 22 different Navy and Dahlgren Division awards as the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) held its annual honor awards ceremony on May 14, 2015.
"This is my once in a year opportunity to celebrate your work," NSWCDD Commanding Officer Capt. Brian Durant told a standing room only audience of military and civilian personnel at the University of Mary Washington Dahlgren campus.
"Thank you for everything you do," said Durant after shared a list of crucial programs and technological firsts many of the awardees contributed to over the past year. These included the Laser Weapon System, Electromagnetic Railgun, Hypervelocity Projectile; Chemical, Biological and Radiological (CBR) Defense; Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense; Griffin Missile System; cyber defense; and the integration and interoperability of unmanned systems with combat systems aboard ships.
As he congratulated awardees, Durant recounted an all-hands message he wrote to the NSWCDD workforce last week.
"Every day, I have the pleasure of witnessing firsthand your remarkable contributions and achievements in support of the warfighter," stated Durant in that all-hands communiqué. "I am repeatedly impressed by how you continue to find innovative solutions to the complex issues we face while dealing with what feels like an increasing administrative and compliance burden. Your hard work does not go unnoticed, and I am proud to serve with you. Thank you!"
Dr. James E. Colvard - Technical Director of the Naval Weapons Laboratory from 1973 to 1974 and the Naval Surface Weapons Center from 1974 to 1980 - recapped the command's impact on the Navy and nation during his keynote speech.
"You're part of a proud organization that has a distinguished heritage and an unlimited veracity," said Colvard. "This organization - particularly with the Surface Navy - has been the intellectual heart blood of the Navy for many, many years. Every ballistic missile that is fired uses a program that is written here. Every gun that's issued is certified at this laboratory. Every lot of ammunition that is issued has been validated at this laboratory."
Colvard peppered his speech with anecdotes of his time as the command's technical director in the 1970s, emphasizing that both civilian technical directors and Navy military commanders were - and continue to be - important to NSWCDD.
"There's a difference in leading an organization and commanding an organization and it takes both perspectives in order to have an effective Warfare Center that arms the warfighter," Colvard explained. "Your role is to know what's right and have courage to speak truth to power - and it takes the team working together to do that. What you're doing makes a lot of difference and I'd like to add my congratulations to those of the Captain and others for what you've done for the Navy and our country. I'm honored to be a part of your ceremony."
Families and co-workers watched as awardees were honored at the morning individual awards and afternoon group awards sessions.
Navy Superior Civilian Service Award
Dale Sisson and John Lysher received the Navy Superior Civilian Service Award. The honor recognizes employee contributions that are exceptionally high in value, but affect a smaller area than the Navy Distinguished Civilian Service Award and are more significant than those for which the award of the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award is made. The Superior Civilian Service Award is awarded for contributions that serve as a model for other commands.
Sisson was recognized for his innovation and for "leading the charge" to design, develop, and deploy the Navy's first High Energy Laser Weapon System (LaWS). Lysher was commended for his contributions in support of Department of Defense, Joint and national missions to protect the warfighter.
Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award
Ten NSWCDD employees were presented with the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award - Margaret Regan, Thomas Boucher, Michael Bovan, Shawna McCreary, Cheryl Stensby, Darren Barnes, Steven Canup, Jared Swearingen, David Evans, and Kathleen Young.
The third highest Navy civilian award honors civilian employees supporting the Department of the Navy for meritorious service or contributions resulting in high value or benefits for the Navy or the Marine Corps. It was established to recognize individuals whose leadership or important contributions to major projects of the Navy have demonstrated outstanding achievement.
Secretary of Defense Medal for the Global War on Terrorism
Eric Lorden received the Secretary of Defense Medal for the Global War on Terrorism medal. The award honors the achievement of DoD civilians who defend freedom against danger that may develop on foreign soil.
John Adolphus Dahlgren Award
Dr. Orgal Thomas Holland received the John Adolphus Dahlgren Award for his technical excellence in implementing modeling and simulation to enhance naval warfighting capabilities.
The John Adolphus Dahlgren Award, the command's highest award, was presented to Orgal Holland, Ronnie Stapleton, and Eric Rocholl.
Dr. Holland was recognized for his sustained leadership in implementing modeling and simulation to enhance naval warfighting capabilities. Stapleton was recognized for his contributions to the Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps' current and next generation radar systems. Rocholl was cited for his technical leadership as part of the Small Surface Combatant Task Force.
The Dahlgren Award is named for Rear Adm. John A. Dahlgren - who is considered the "Father of Modern Naval Ordnance" - and honors individuals with significant achievement in science, engineering or management.
C.J. Rorie Award
Fire Control Master Chief Christopher Pilkington received the C.J. Rorie Award, established to recognize military personnel assigned to NSWCDD whose excellence in the performance of their duties contributed significantly to the effectiveness of the Division's military operation.
Pilkington - based at NSWCDD's Combat Directions Activity (CDSA) Dam Neck in Virginia Beach, Va. - was honored for his work as the command's Ship Self Defense System Fleet Liaison Officer, ensured a seamless integration to the system and its related upgrades for Fleet Sailors.
"To see so many of our CDSA workforce recognized for their leadership, technical, and community service achievements is a true reflection of the incredible support the command provides to our warfighters and the local community," said Capt. Eric Tapp, CDSA Dam Neck commanding officer.
Dr. James E. Colvard Award
Three employees - Benjamin McGlasson, James Morrissett, and Christopher Nerney - received an award named in honor of the guest speaker. The Dr. James E. Colvard Award recognizes individuals who, through their leadership, have made substantial contributions to the development of NSWCDD as a technical institution.
Bernard Smith Award
Barry Stevens and Mark Turner were recognized with the Bernard Smith Award, which recognizes individuals with exceptional, significant and technical contributions in engineering or science, especially those made in the face of unusual odds or significant opposition.
Helen Springer Award
Four employees received the Helen Springer Award - Natasha Holloway, Julie Schneider, Maria Clark, and Karen Carrick - which recognizes individuals who have made a notable and significant impact to business operations at NSWCDD. The award was named in honor of Helen Springer, a former NSWCDD Deputy Human Resources Director who was instrumental in transforming business operations at Dahlgren from a paper-based system to an electronic environment.
Walter T. Lewis Acquisition Award
Christina Good and April Brooks received the Walter T. Lewis Acquisition Award in recognition of their demonstration of the key tenets of teamwork, integrity and accountability in the achievement of acquisition excellence in support of the NSWCDD Mission. This award is named in honor of Walter T. Lewis who was the command's first civilian contracting officer with unlimited contracting officer authority and the first deputy for procurement serving as the NSWCDD acquisition expert.
Leadership Award
Five employees - Robin Lacy, Kathleen Jones, Eva Hatcherson, Kevin Cogley, and Meredith Bondurant - were honored with the Leadership Award - established to recognize individuals who have made a notable and significant impact to NSWCDD through their outstanding performance in project leadership, line management or both.
Employee Development Award
The Employee Development Award was established to recognize those individuals who - through their leadership and commitment - have made exemplary contributions to the development of others.
Dennis Cochran, Megan Rowe, Margaret Neel, John Johnston, and Stephen Martin received the award for their impact as role models who created a positive and supportive work environment for continuous employee development, building employee commitment to the organization and its core values, while fostering employee motivation and overall well-being.
Commander's Diversity and Inclusion Award
Lisa Guthrie, Scott Pomeroy, Michael Hobson, and Gaurang Davé received the Commander's Diversity and Inclusion Award for their continuing contributions in management and leadership while demonstrating commitment to policies and programs that promote equality, diversity and inclusion in the federal workplace.
Technology to Warfighter Award
Leslie Thaxton received the Technology to Warfighter Award for his direct and significant impact on the warfighter by developing needed capability and transitioning it into operations.
The Technology to the Warfighter Award for groups was granted to:
-- MK 34 5-Inch Gun Weapon System and MK 419 Multi-Function Fuze Team
-- Laser Weapon System Quick Reaction Capability Field Service Representatives
-- Black Diamond Development Team
Dr. Charles J. Cohen Award of Excellence for Science and Technology
Four employees - Christopher Weiland, Mary Cummings, Derek Diltz, and Aimee Ketner - received the Dr. Charles J. Cohen Award of Excellence for Science and Technology. The award recognizes those who fundamentally impact science or technology with work that also measurably impacts capability.
NSWCDD Award of Excellence for Analysis
The NSWCDD Award of Excellence for Analysis recognizes individuals who have made a notable and significant impact to NSWCDD through their outstanding performance in analysis - warfare, design, engineering, modeling and simulation.
Five employees - Kenneth Derreberry, Lynda Hester, James Maroney, Katherine Horgan, David Shuttleworth, and Brian Liska - received this award for exceptional performance and achievements that resulted in a significant organizational contribution.
NSWCDD Award of Excellence for Software Engineering and Integration
The NSWCDD Award of Excellence for Software Engineering and Integration was established to recognize individuals who have made a notable and significant impact to NSWCDD through their outstanding performance in Software Engineering & Integration.
Recipients of the award were Joseph Moder, Hanh Do, Robert Kirkpatrick, Robin Ross, Craig A. Emmerton, and Jeremiah Breeden.
NSWCDD Award of Excellence for Systems Engineering and Integration
The Award of Excellence for Systems Engineering and Integration recognizes individuals who have made a notable and significant impact to NSWCDD through their outstanding performance in systems engineering and integration.
Gary Brown, Katie Hall, Charles Freeman, Joseph Wilson, Stephen Haug, and Bryan Reddan were honored for their systems engineering and integration work.
NSWCDD Award of Excellence for Test and Evaluation
The NSWCDD Award of Excellence for Test & Evaluation is granted to individuals who have made a notable and significant impact to NSWCDD through their outstanding performance in Test and Evaluation, the collection, analysis, and assessment of data to characterize and/or measure the performance of a component, system, platform, or mission.
Daryl Wynn, Nathan Cook, John Graham, Bernard Ulfers, Richard Sypolt, and Joseph Thiering received this award for their significant organizational contributions.
Paul J. Martini Award
Thirteen employees received the Paul J. Martini Award - established to recognize individuals who demonstrated excellence in an administrative or other support function. The award is named in honor of Paul J. Martini, who was head of the Engineering Support Directorate of the Naval Ordnance Laboratory from November 1951 to December 1973. Receiving the award were: Kimberly Hoppe, Christopher P. Lenker, Melinda McGrady, Theresa O'Connor, Courtney Sloat, Amelia Toms, Roberta Marable, Pauline Tillett, Carolyn DeSantis, Nicholus Decoteau, Joseph Sawdy, Kevin Montrief, and David Luck.
Distinguished Community Service Award
Helen McCoy, Jonathan Dachos, and Joe Price received the Distinguished Community Service Award in recognition of their significant contributions to communities through volunteer service.
In-house Laboratory Independent Research Excellence Award
Susan Bartyczak received the In-house Laboratory Independent Research Excellence Award which is granted to an individual or group whose research results exhibit outstanding technical or scientific merit - relevant to the mission and thrusts of NSWCDD.
Group Achievement Awards
Eleven groups of NSWCDD employees received the Award of Merit for Group Achievement; three groups received the Technology to the Warfighter Award for their accomplishments during 2014. The group awards are intended to promote the spirit of teamwork among employees and recognize group effort where cooperation has contributed to the success of the group.
The following groups received the Award of Merit for Group Achievement:
-- Contracts Division and Strategic and Weapon Control Systems Department Contracting Officer Representative Team
-- Ship Self-Defense System (SSDS) Hardware Development Team
-- Hyper-Velocity Projectile (HVP) Integrated Launch Package (ILP) Development Team
-- Shoulder-Launched Multi-Purpose Assault Weapon (SMAW MOD 2) Development and Test Team
-- Advanced Shipboard Weapons Control (ASWC) Missile Management Software Development Team
-- Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Surface Warfare (SUW) Mission Package Application Software (MPAS) Command and Control (C2) Team
-- Laser Weapon System Quick Reaction Capability
-- Radar Apprenticeship Program Instructors
-- Small Surface Combatant Task Force
-- Littoral Combat System Engineering Team
-- Field Operational Demonstration Team