The Submarine Learning Center (SLC) in Groton announced its selection of Staff Civilian of the Year (COY), April 10.

SLC Commanding Officer Capt. David Roberts said James McCloud, a member of the Technical Services Department, was exceptionally deserving of the recognition and that the selection process was very competitive.

"In many respects it's a terrific and accurate reflection on the caliber and variety of talents we have here at SLC, building tomorrow's submarine force," Roberts said.

As the project lead on the Nimitz Hall Asbestos Remediation Project (NHARP) and the Groton Campus Alignment Project (GCAP), McCloud was directly responsible for over 43 trainer and lab relocations on the Groton campus of the Naval Submarine School (NSS), ensuring each trainer and lab were fully supported in their new location with no interruption in training.

Each phase of the relocation was programmed around scheduled training dates, requiring strict adherence to the relocation schedule to not just minimize, but eliminate any adverse impact to fleet readiness through training cancellations or delays.

McCloud's attention to detail makes him an ideal facilitator for complex projects.

"I really prefer being a behind-the-scenes guy," said McCloud. "I'm most comfortable working out any and all details of a project, working to ensure every interaction happens when it needs to, so that the overall effect is to continue to progress in a silent and seamless manner. My job is to help every instructor and trainer-operator continue to be successful at their jobs."

Roberts cited an example of that job-within-a-job success as another reason for McCloud's selection.

"He led a comprehensive study to determine the cause of out-of-specification conditions that were impacting Naval Submarine School's Submarine On-Board Trainer (SBT), a first-of-its-kind, state of the art, immersive navigation trainer," said Roberts. "By analyzing months of data on environmental conditions and working with local Naval Facilities Command (NAVFAC) representatives, McCloud returned the installed building systems to normal operations without lost training time or damage to a critical training system."

McCloud said he was both honored and humbled by his COY selection.

"I think it's very important for everyone, regardless of position or location, to be recognized as both a valued and valuable member of the SLC," said McCloud. "Sometimes we get so engrossed in the accomplishment of our jobs, looking ahead to what's next and how to get there, that we sometimes forget how far along we've come in service and support for the fleet.

"I couldn't be anywhere near as effective as I strive to be without the professionals on the SLC staff," he added. "I really enjoy being part of a team like ours and I'm honored that so many of my colleagues and the SLC leadership have this level of regard for the job I do and the support I provide."

McCloud has little time to rest on his laurels or savor the moment as he's already knee-deep in his next project, renovations for Lewis Hall (Building 474) on the Groton Campus. Leveraging funds made available to perform base improvements, the renovations will result in the first-ever permanent facility to house Information Technology Submarines (ITS) training programs, better allowing for full production student throughput in support of fleet requirements.

The SLC is responsible for submarine officer and enlisted rating individual training as well as all shore-based warfare mission area training. Its mission is to create, coordinate and execute the future training and education vision for the submarine force.

SLC is accountable for all undersea curricula, training delivery methodologies, and for developing and maintaining professional development continuums for all undersea warfare officers and ratings to include electronics technician (communications and navigation), fire control technician, sonar technician, machinist's mate (auxiliary and weapons), missile technician, and all nuclear training ratings.

For more information on the SLC, visit http://www.netc.navy.mil/centers/slc/Default.aspx.
For more news from Naval Education and Training Command, visit www.navy.mil/.