Norfolk Naval Shipyard graduated 22 first line supervisors from its initial High Velocity class in a ceremony at the Drydock Club on Scotts Center Annex, March 13.

"This has been the best learning environment I have been a part of since joining the NNSY family 13 years ago," said Maurice Wright, a graduate and new supervisor for mechanical department. "The combination of the instructors, keynote speakers, information, and new relationships formed has been a breath of fresh air."

The High Velocity First Line Supervisor (1LS) encompassed a five-week period, during which students received both theory and practical training. The training model for the class is based on curriculum design concepts composed of "Learn, Use, and Teach Back."

The program incorporates supervisor core competency requirements from various aspects of the shipyard. These include production-specific trainings, production safety, shipyard safety, human resources, the equal employment office, and the legal department.

Two other aspects of the program include senior leader discussion panels and a shadowing component, in which participants have the opportunity to observe other departments.

"Someone once said to me 'Luck is when opportunity meets preparation,'" said David "Doogie" Hauer, a class mentor. "I believe that is the purpose of this class and the purpose for us as a family, to help prepare you, and let you know you are not alone whether on the waterfront [or somewhere around the globe]."

According to NNSY Command University's program manager for the class, Chad Coffin, the overall goal of the program is for new supervisors to be able to effectively and confidently execute work on the waterfront right from the start.

The hope is the class, along with the graduation, will instill pride and inspiration in the new supervisors to lead well, said Coffin.

During his address to the graduates, Capt. Scott Brown, NNSY commanding officer, reiterated the words of the chief of naval operations' written in his "Navy Leadership Development Framework" released January.

"If you can't find the relentless drive to inspire others to be the best in the world, then leadership in the U.S. Navy is not for you," said Brown. "The security of the nation is too important."

Then adding his own words, he said, "This is just the beginning of your path toward leadership and your drive towards success. I want to commend you. We need you."

The ceremony was topped off, with supervisors, in the fashion of another Navy tradition -- chief petty officer pinning -- by supervisors having their hard hats placed on top of their heads by friends and family of their choice.

This is symbolic of the individual shifting from mechanic to supervisor in deed and action, explained Coffin.

"Not everything you learn will be from a classroom," said Hauer, "but the material in this class gives a foundational knowledge -- not to know everything, but to know where to find it to help you set standards, achieve success, and help us remain America's shipyard."

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