Shipyard builds 'Super Sailors'
NAVSEA News Wire
Story Number: NNS040305-12
Release Date: 3/5/2004
By Marshall Fukuki, Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard Public Affairs
CAPT Clarke Orzalli gives the thumbs-up to PSNS & IMF workers, talking with them on how Transformation efforts provide increased responsiveness to Fleet readiness and the opportunity to contribute to recapitalization.
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii -- If there are blueprints for building superior Sailors, Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard's got them. In less than two years, Shipyard leadership guided four of its Sailors to distinguishing marks of recognition.
Last year, Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard's Petty Officer 1st Class Electronics Technician (ET1) (SS) Adam Powars went on to be named the 2003 Vice Chief of Naval Operations' Shore Sailor of the Year, and this year Petty Officer 1st Class Electronics Technician (SW) Elizabeth McGee looks to blaze her own trail to the top after being named one of the five finalists in the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Sailor of the Year (SOY) competition. Add two recent Hawaii regional winners and a pattern begins to form. Command Master Chief Mark Shearer credits three tenets of the Yard to its Sailors' success - demanding shore command billets, the relative large size of the command, and proactive leadership from the bottom up.
"Part of the Shipyard's success rests on the Shipyard itself," said Shearer about the demanding billets that give people the chance to improve their skills and knowledge. He said this attracts high-quality, motivated and talented individuals who want to serve their shore duty in Pearl Harbor.
Navy Region Hawaii recently recognized two Shipyard Sailors for their contributions. Fireman Christine Mitchell was honored last month as Navy Region Hawaii Blue Jacket of the Year for 2003. Petty Officer Hull Maintenance Technician (SW) Kenneth Dziendziel was just selected as Navy Region Hawaii Senior Sailor of the Quarter (SOQ), fourth quarter of 2003.
"The type of jobs our Sailors are doing is far above their normal pay grade," he continued. For example, McGee and Dziendziel are first class petty officers serving as ship superintendents, a billet normally filled by chief petty officers.
The nature of the work makes a difference, too, according to Shearer. "Our Sailors are fixing ships. They're directly involved in keeping the Fleet fit to fight. The deciding factor gaining Mitchell regional Blue Jacket SOY honors was her work on the diesel generator of a warship," added Shearer.
The size of the shipyard is another factor, he noted. The yard, with nearly 800 military personnel, is one of the largest Navy commands in Hawaii. "The pool of talent is greater," said Shearer, making the yard a very competitive arena whenever it's time to select a top performer.
McGee is number one out of approximately 200 first class petty officers in the shipyard. "That carries more weight with any selection board than someone from a smaller command who may be number one out of four of their peers," Shearer said.
McGee returned from Washington, D.C., last week where she had face-to-face interviews with the NAVSEA SOY selection board and Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), Vice Adm. Phillip Balisle.
She credited the shipyard's senior enlisted with playing an active role in guiding her and creating opportunities for her. "They've been my role models. They've trained me how to do my job to the best of my ability. I wouldn't be what I am today without their leadership and mentoring."
The yard has many senior enlisted personnel who have served on selection boards, Shearer added. Their experience and devotion in preparing Sailors for the awards screening process has helped the shipyard's nominees become better candidates.
The shipyard began a program last May in which every incoming Sailor is assigned a mentor. Chief petty officers receive monthly training that keeps them updated on developments in the Navy and they pass this knowledge on to their junior Sailors. "The leadership ensures the success of junior Sailors by providing the tools and knowledge to help them achieve their goals," he said.
Dziendziel said the monthly in-rate training has been very effective in keeping Sailors informed of Navy-wide initiatives and how to advance their careers. "Through the encouragement of the chiefs and above, we're able to use this knowledge to our benefit . this makes us stand out above the rest."
Code 133 supervisor Adam Powars is a Navy civilian today, but last year as an active duty Sailor, he soared to become the NAVSEA, and then Vice Chief of Naval Operations, SOY for shore activities.
"Everybody should do their job well. It's what you do above and beyond that makes you stand out," he said. "It's important to be well-rounded."
"My chain of command supported me. My chiefs tried to push me to my full potential . [and] I was fortunate to work with experienced, knowledgeable civilians who were willing to teach me. The shipyard is so big and diverse, he said. There are just a lot of opportunities to excel."
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