Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Pacific launched its first New Employee Indoctrination Program, Jan. 24-25, and welcomed 38 new employees to the NAVFAC team.

"First and foremost, I want to welcome you to NAVFAC Pacific," said NAVFAC Pacific Commander Rear Adm. John Korka. "The intent of this indoctrination is for you to get an appreciation and a better understanding of our command and the products and services we provide. The Pacific theater is vast and dynamic, and this two-day session will provide you with the framework of NAVFAC Pacific's role and how we fit into the big Navy picture."

The indoctrination program was held at NAVFAC Pacific headquarters and served as an educational forum for new employees to meet command leadership, learn about the Navy's mission and NAVFAC's focus areas, and to understand the Pacific area of operations. Speakers were given the opportunity to personally engage with the new employees and discuss how their department supports the overall goal of the Navy.

"The command indoctrination sessions were very beneficial," said NAVFAC Pacific Guam Program Management Office Program Analyst Michelle Kelly. "With prior NAVFAC experience working at NAVFAC Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center and NAVFAC Marianas, I've always had a notional sense of what NAVFAC's core products and services are, but hearing from the business and support line leaders has helped me gain a much better understanding of it all."

Presentations from key command leadership included Rear Adm. John Korka (commander); Capt. Michelle La Duca (vice commander); Ron Hertwig (business director); Capt. Rich Whipple (U.S. Pacific Fleet deputy fleet engineer); Lynn Tanaka (asset management); Ralph Luca (capital improvements); Karen Sumida (environmental); Christopher Floro (public works); Cmdr. Walter Sibley (theater engagement/contingency engineering); Will Boudra (Guam program management office); Jill Nii (acquisition); Krista Cummins (public affairs); Irene Shimaoka (financial management); Dave Coker (counsel); and Ayman El-Swaify (command information office).

"Being my first week on the job, I thought the two-day session was very informational," said NAVFAC Pacific Acquisition Contract Specialist Intern Shelly Torres. "Having a large group of new employees at the session worked to my advantage as I was able to get advice, suggestions and guidance from others who were on board longer. The breaks served as a good networking tool."

The following departments welcomed new employees to the NAVFAC Pacific organization: Capital Improvements - 11; Financial Management - 8; Acquisition - 7; Environmental - 3; Business Department - 3; Guam Program Management Office - 2; Public Works - 1; Asset Management - 1; Command Information Office - 1; Theater Engagement/Contingency Engineering - 1.

The two-day session consisted of employees who came on board within the past six months. NAVFAC Pacific will continue to host New Employee Indoctrination sessions on a quarterly basis for all new employees entering the command.

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