Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division leadership recognized John Phillips for being named the Office of Naval Research (ONR) Global Science Advisor of the Year during an all-hands presentation on Oct. 30 at Carderock’s Combatant Craft Division (CCD) in Norfolk.

Phillips is on detail from Carderock as an ONR Global science advisor for United States Marine Corps Forces Command (MARFORCOM). Prior to starting his three-year detail in April 2018, Phillips worked as a mechanical engineer in Carderock’s Systems Design and Integration Branch at CCD.

“When it was announced, I was completely surprised,” said Phillips, who received the official award at the 2019 ONR Global Technical Meeting in Arlington, Virginia, in September. “The 25 science advisors across the Navy and Marine Corps are all extremely impressive, and each of them are doing amazing work to bring future capability to the fleet.”

Phillips described his role as a Marine Corps science advisor as a bridge connecting the fleet, ONR and the larger Naval Research and Development Establishment and industry, all while being the primary technical person on the senior staff of a flag officer. Phillips works on the staff of Commander MARFORCOM Lt. Gen. Robert Hedelund, who also wears the hat of commanding general for Fleet Marine Force Atlantic, in Norfolk.

“You have to be on your ‘A game,’ as you never know when you will be brought into a discussion to be the technical expert for the command,” Phillips said. “The five Marine Corps science advisors have formed a team that feels more like a family as we lean on one another to work through our challenges while maintaining a focus on what truly matters of bringing future capability to the warfighter.”

Phillips said some of his work as a science advisor has crossed paths with his work at Carderock, like the Sea Mob Long-Range Unmanned Surface Vehicle Program. He has also arranged counter-unmanned aerial systems demonstrations, mine-countermeasure experiments involving multi-domain unmanned systems and augmented and virtual-reality training systems. In addition, he worked at the 2019 Advanced Naval Technology Exercise East in Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina this summer. Phillips said one of the most rewarding parts about being a science advisor is seeing some of the programs that he worked on while at Carderock being briefed to senior naval leaders.

“When I was working on project teams at the Combatant Craft Division, I would often get so focused on the project that it would feel more like a science experiment than a future capability,” Phillips said. “Seeing programs I worked presented as a capability to help the fleet win a high-end fight and better understand the full spectrum of our work has been extremely motivating. What we do at the Warfare Centers matters, and it is making a difference.”

Phillips said that ONR and ONR Global have given him great opportunities to work on the very interesting programs and industry partners.

“I am extremely thankful for this opportunity. I feel as though I am on several incredible teams that empower me,” Phillips said. “The staff at MARFORCOM has been welcoming, and I have learned so much both personally and professionally from working with Marines on a daily basis. I am thankful Carderock and the Combatant Craft Division has supported me in this position.”

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