Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) held a Big Rocks ceremony Apr. 23, commending successes on USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), safer conditions for waterfront operations, training achievements, and completion of the Team of Winners discussions across the shipyard.

"As our first big rocks ceremony, there are many reasons for us to gather and celebrate today," Captain Kai Torkelson told attendees in Bldg. 163. "It’s important every day to celebrate our small wins too as high-performing teams as we support quality of work life at Norfolk Naval Shipyard and ensure dependable mission delivery to the fleet."

The ceremony began with a small award ceremony commending the efforts of individuals involved in the creation and implementation of the Antenna Lifting Jig. Jeffrey Overman, Alim Jordan, Kenneth Kinstler, Brittany Clark, Kelvin Callines, Yaoshawn Jarrett, Michael Davenport, Tevon Taylor, David Washbourne, Josh Adams, and Martrail Parker received certificates for their performance while serving on the Antenna Lifting Jig cross-functional team from April to Oct. 2018.

"You displayed exceptional expertise while working to create drawings, operation procedures, and engineering instructions supporting the construction of a functional antenna lifting jig prototype and follow-on testing," said Public Affairs Officer and Master of Ceremonies Terri Davis. "This innovation positively impacts Code 950’s ability to move and transport antennas weighing up to 250 pounds, changing the original process requiring five to six individuals to unload the antenna to a new process with the prototype requiring one person to load the antenna on the jib. This team’s professional ability, personal initiative, and loyal dedication are an exceptional demonstration to our C.O.R.E. values."

Overman, who initially came up with the idea for ways to improve his job in the Antenna Shop, also received a Beneficial Suggestion Award.

Six Big Rocks were busted during the ceremony. The first commemorated the restoration of the Sail Loft to a safe working condition, allowing them to resume support of waterfront operations. "When we had the issues in the Sail Loft our superintendent and our team did not back down in ensuring our people were safe," said Code 990 Richard Bundy. Lashonda Dunston and Dunta Sutton broke the rock for the Sail Loft.

The second and third Big Rock honored two significant wins for the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), including the on-time completion of the resource constrained schedule (RCS) and the safe and on-time completion of the CVN 77 dry dock evolution, including proper planning and execution. "In any availability, one of the most important things you need is to have a plan and have people to execute it," said Bush Project Superintendent Jeff Burchett. "We put the plan together and determined the resources needed to have a successful availability. With everyone’s hard work, we are making the Bush Project a huge success." Lynette Elliott and Jennifer Willis broke the rock for the RCS, and Matthew Stephenson and Cecil Anthony broke the docking rock.

The fourth rock signified production shops reclaiming ownership of training of radiological work. Anthony Jordan and Rachel Stravitzski broke the rock for the radiological training team.

The fifth rock marked the on-time completion of shipyard participation in the Team of Winners discussions. These discussions explored behaviors and attitudes throughout the shipyard aligned with C.O.R.E., and how NNSY is able to create an environment where people feel safe to raise issues or concerns. "I was very excited to be involved in Team of Winners this year and helping to spread the message presented," said Team of Winners Member and Force Multiplier Jeris Smith. "The training went over the elements of C.O.R.E. and I was able to learn a lot about these principles and myself along the way. I learned you can never care enough and each day is what you put into it. The people here at our shipyard are the most valuable assets. We can all be the change we want to see. It starts with what you do as a person. If we all took a stance to follow C.O.R.E. principles, we could all be a piece in the puzzle in making our shipyard the best it can be." Fred Salanitro and Tarane Parker broke the rock for Team of Winners.

The final rock celebrated the on-time completion of the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) availability. "Being able to deliver a carrier back to the fleet after a successful and accomplished availability is a big win for us as a shipyard. I am very proud of our team and the efforts that went into going above and beyond the call of duty with the Truman Project. Thank you all," said Truman Project Superintendent Mike Jennings. Andy Spivey and Robert Tompkins broke the Truman rock.

Capt. Torkelson also went into detail about some of the achievements America’s Shipyard has had over the past few months, including the visits from Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Richardson and Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Commander, Vice Admiral Moore; improvements in innovation; and the continued implementation of C.O.R.E. values into everything done at the shipyard.

"Just as we recognized Code 950 and the Antenna Lifting Jig, I want to challenge each of you to implement innovations through action and demonstrate critical thinking," said Capt. Torkelson. "If you’re doing those things and are still encountering barriers to bringing improvement to the deck plates, elevate those to your supervisor, your manager, and all the way to me if you need to. As your leader, I insist on instilling the behaviors that cultivate a culture to predictably engage, unleash, and quickly leverage your talent to our mission."

He continued, "The CNO challenged us that ‘we need a more powerful fleet in the 2020s, not the 2040s’. It’s every one of you here at Norfolk Naval Shipyard who are going to maintain and modernize the fleet. During his visit, the CNO was able to learn about our innovations in drone use, additive manufacturing, cold spray and laser scanning. These are innovations we’re aggressively working to take out of the labs and onto the deckplates. Our innovations need to occur today to share and leverage them tomorrow."

For more information on the antenna lifting jig, check out the October 2018 Service to the Fleet. The next Big Rocks Ceremony will be held June 18 at 10:30 a.m. in the Bldg. 163 High Bay.

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