Straight talk on budget planning

Like many Americans, you and your families are undoubtedly experiencing anxiety as a result of the fiscal uncertainty
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Knowledge vs. Wisdom

Guest blogger ~ Al Kaniss

Wisdom is not just knowing something, but understanding what to do
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Personal Accountability

January is a challenging month.  It's the shortest work month of the year yet it can be the busiest laying out plans for the coming year
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Happy Holidays!

As I consider what to write that would capture what this season means to me, my family and my extended Navy family
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Taking a drink from a firehose

Webster defines the “learning curve” as the graphic representation of the time required to learn certain information

It’s time to reflect

Guest blogger ~ Gary Kessler
NAWCAD Executive Director

The Holidays are upon us...

Thanksgiving 2012

Maybe you are the contracting specialist who worked on one clause in the MQ-8B Firescout contract for the particular aircraft that patrolled
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Ely Flight

Guest Blogger ~ Captain Dave Kindley, PMA 265
This week marks the 102nd anniversary of Eugene Ely’s historic first flight from the deck of a ship.

Supporting Veterans

It was August 8, 1945, USAAF Captain James Shumate and his crew of 10 were flying the B-29 Superfortress named “City of Phoenix” toward

Courage and Compassion

I was talking with a retired Master Chief about his daughter who is attending a college where a professor has a very low opinion of the military
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I’m no Einstein

“Bureaucracy is the death of all sound work.” – Albert Einstein

The Power of One Voice

If you could use your voice to impact others, what would you say? 
 

Hatch Act

Guest Blogger ~ Jim Carr
NAWCAD Counsel

News flash! Election Day is less than a month away...

Bravo Zulu!

Bravo Zulu to those who have brought value to the Fleet during the last quarter.

Commander’s Intent

Vice Admiral Dunaway set out his Top 3 focus areas to all NAVAIR flag officers and senior executives immediately after the change of command...

AIR-00

Two examples of exceptional leadership, which starts with personal example and also includes principles and commitment

Running the Acquisition Gauntlet

Guest Blogger ~ Al Kaniss

A recent blog got me thinking about people who could be considered heroes ...

Flight of the Intruder

In 1920 Maj. Alfred Cunningham, the first Marine Corps aviator, wrote, “The only excuse for aviation in any service is its usefulness in...

Role Models, Heroes and Others

I’ve learned the hard way that offering anyone up as a role model is risky...

Bike Safety

Guest blogger ~ CAPT C.J. Junge
Vice Commander, cycling enthusiast with a broken wing…

Summer Housekeeping

Over the past year and a half of writing for this blog, I have acquired a "mega" folder of notes. So this week I present...

Happy 91st Birthday NAVAIR!

All that relates to designing, building, fitting out, and repairing Naval and Marine Corps aircraft  and to furnish the information covering...

Straight talk about workforce reductions

In some cases inaccurate information shared via informal networks is generating uncertainty and concern both inside and outside our gates.

Reveille

“Reveille, reveille.  All hands heave out and trice up. Now reveille.”

How important is small business?

Guest Bloggers ~ Emily Harman & Ken Carkuff

Small businesses with fewer than 100 employees represent 99 percent of all U.S employers.  They also...

Bravo Zulu!

It’s our opportunity again to recognize a few of the folks across NAWCAD who made noteworthy contributions to the team over the last quarter.

Independence Day

Two hundred and thirty six years ago, John Adams wrote a letter to his wife about the pride he felt

The Journey of Becoming a ‘Learning Organization’

Guest Blogger ~ CAPT Nakagawa

You've likely heard the expression "learning organization", but maybe you didn't realize...

Travel Update

This week’s blog involves feather ruffling and some wing clipping...

Disagree! (With Bad Ideas)

NAWCAD is best supported by a diverse culture where people challenge each other to excel.

NAWCAD’s Key Ingredient

Guest blogger ~ Rob Vargo
Associate Director of Atlantic Test Ranges

What's the key ingredient at NAWCAD?

i Belong!

We’re good at saying goodbye to folks leaving at the end of their careers, but we’re not as good at welcoming an employee at the start of a career. Remember your first job?

SATS: Marine Corps Expeditionary Airfields

In 1942, at Camp Kearny in California, the Marine Corps demonstrated the use of a Navy-provided, shore-based catapult to launch an F4F Wildcat...

Retirements

In the first few months of this year, NAVAIR lost 100 more folks than we hired in that same time period.

T2

Imagine if somebody could develop an “underwater night vision system” to allow divers to see in poor visibility when they are searching for mines, inspecting hulls, or monitoring fish behavior. 

Cotton Balls and Bricks

A few weeks ago I had a conversation with a woman who works for a small business that provides direct support to NAWCAD.  Prior to her employment...

Women in Defense lead the way

Guest blogger ~ Kathy Donnelly, SES
NAWCAD Lakehurst

The “enginerd” in me finds that very interesting – making sure the pieces all fit together and work collectively to provide one solution...

Legacy of the Flying Banana

The Marines have always used innovative thinking and applied dogged determination when pursuing an objective...

Satisfaction

Some get it from a pat on the back, others from a promotion or some time off.  Some can even get it from a candy bar.

Bravo Zulu!

This week we’ll recognize a few of the folks across NAWCAD who made notable contributions over the last quarter. In the Navy the term we use for “well done” is Bravo Zulu, often shortened to BZ.

Cooperative Innovations

Innovation is a team sport. None of us would think much of a coach putting only one basketball player on the court in the Final Four to face a full team on the other side, even if that one player was the next Shaq or LeBron...

Time to Break Some Plates

In what could’ve been a direct commentary on our group, Adm. Harvey said hierarchical, large organizations tend to inhibit solutions when the problems fall outside experience...

Hercules

Each day critical supplies must to be carried to Marines deployed around the world.  The aircraft called on to do the job for the last 50 years

Spring Training

My Grandpa was a baseball fan, specifically a New York Yankees fan and I was his oldest grandson.  I’m a baseball fan...  

1982

Thirty years ago the Navy was in a situation much like today. We were in the final stages of fielding weapon systems to replace almost everything ...

The NAVAIR Women's Advisory Group – it’s not just for women!

Guest Blogger ~ Kathy Donnelly

When I last guest-blogged in July, we discussed the benefits of mentoring – be one and have many.  My topic this time is the Women’s Advisory Group...

George Spangenberg

There are a few stories that take a long time to tell but are worth hearing anyway and there are a few histories written that should be considered treasures. Mr. George Spangenberg’s oral history falls into both categories...

@ the Edge

Last Wednesday a 1950s era T-38 aircraft was coming back to land at NAS Pax River and the pilot looked down at the airfield as he entered the   ...

Misplaced Loyalties

In general, we regard loyalty as a virtue in people.  We like to see folks who display loyalty to family, loyalty to country...

Do people like people like themselves?

Guest Blogger ~ Al Kaniss

One of the challenges to embracing a diverse workforce is that it takes overcoming our natural instincts that make us feel uncomfortable with people who are “different.” 

Centennial of Marine Corps Aviation

This year marks a milestone celebrating 100 years of Marine Corps aviation. Learn how Marines have been at the forefront of naval aviation ...

Come on — pick up the phone!

Guest Blogger ~ Graham Harlowe

In my professional workplace, I’ve seen the email tool being used like that familiar old screwdriver - basic communication is generally as intended, but with the occasional misuse and resulting shower of sparks.  

Bravo Zulu (4th Quarter)

Here is just a sample of great things our teammates accomplished across NAWCAD last quarter...

We can all use some encouragement

Guest Blogger ~ Al Kaniss

In case you’re still looking for a new year’s resolution that might succeed, I’d like to suggest one: be more encouraging to others...

Celebrating Kitty Hawk, December 17, 1903

At NAWCAD we are heirs to the first four flights the two boys from Dayton made on that North Carolina beach on a cold December day

Civil/Military Relations

If you haven't read "The Loudest Duck," about cultural differences and their impacts, I recommend it for your holiday list. One of the dynamics discussed is how a dominant group in every organization acts and how non-dominant groups respond. 

Gridiron Rivals / Comrades-in-Arms

On Saturday the two oldest U.S. service academies will meet on the football field for the 112th time since 1890.  Both teams will play to win.  It is a great rivalry, one that many service members around the globe join in to support their team, including the ‘spirit spots’ broadcast that feature Soldiers, Sailors and Marines rooting in unique ways.  But when the game is over, it’s over...

NAWCAD Strategic Plan

This week, after almost a full year’s work and with great contributions from many of you at each of our geographic locations, we completed an update to the NAWCAD Strategic Plan. It’s more difficult than you may think to write down a good strategy that will stand the test of an encounter with the real world...

Thanksgiving

Much to be thankful for…

Speak up!

How can we reduce government travel, personal information technology equipment, printing costs, vehicles, and make better choices on using promotional items? Your feedback can help accomplish these goals with fewer negative consequences...

Every Veteran Has a Story

Veterans who have completed their time in uniform are working alongside us across NAWCAD.  They are links to our country’s history. Learn more about three of them in this week’s blog...

Technology Transfer – Another Option

Guest Blogger ~  Mike Schroeder

Last week, Rear Adm. Mahr wrote about the importance of small businesses helping NAWCAD to be successful. This week, I would like to build on that theme by providing other ways that we can collaborate with a small or large business that also promote success...

Small Business - The First Option

Last week several of us from NAWCAD travelled up to Frederick, Maryland, to participate in the 10th annual Strengthening the Mid-Atlantic for Tomorrow (SMART) Procurement Conference and Expo hosted by U.S. Congressman Roscoe Bartlett.-- Small businesses are essential to our success...

Too Much Randy

I was a Captain in a one-on-one meeting with the 2-star PEO, when he gave me this message – There’s too much Randy and not enough everyone else.  Let them have a turn.” ...

Our Backs Against the Wall

When I talk to folks about mentoring it frequently heads down the path of mentoring agreements, one-on-one meetings and shadowing opportunities.  These are all good, but there are also other informal opportunities that we should be using...

Virtual Worlds Update

On September 15, Dr. Karen Cooper and Mr. Gary Kessler provided a Virtual World demonstration for the “Pax Partnership” industry and community organization in Southern Maryland.  Dr. Cooper, a.k.a. Memoree Lane in the NAWCAD Virtual World, hosted a group on the NAWCAD Island using Second Life ™ software. 

Keeping them from harm’s way

Last week we welcomed home more of our Individual Augmentees -- men and women who left their units and families to support the war effort.  In light of their safe return, I’m going to highlight the very simple and low cost Persistent Ground Surveillance System (PGSS) developed by our Special Surveillance Program Office...

Bravo Zulu (3rd Quarter)

This week it’s time to recognize some of the individuals and teams in the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division who made notable contributions over the last quarter to ensure we are supporting Sailors, Marines, Soldiers, Airmen, Coast Guardsmen and the community.  In the Navy, the term we use for “well done” is Bravo Zulu, often shortened to BZ...

2025: A DAY IN OUR LIFE

As we’re refreshing the NAWCAD Strategic Vision, the following has been presented by the Strategic Cell as a notional, but plausible, day about 15 years in our future to help imagine the reality we are aiming for... Can you see yourself living this day in the future?  If we asked the same question back in 1996, would you have pictured today as it is, or differently?  Are there other things we should be thinking about?

Bull

With college football kicking off next weekend, I wonder how many of you realize the modern football helmet started as an idea in the mind of a future Admiral who during his career was designated a Naval Aviation Observer?...

What I Did On My Summer “Vacation”

I’ve spent the last six weeks at a National Defense University course called “CAPSTONE”, which is required by law for Flag and General officers in all Services.  My class had about 50 folks from Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, several intelligence agencies and the State Department...

Too much information!!!

Guest Blog ~  CAPT Gilligan

Everywhere you look these days' people are talking on phones, texting, writing e-mails and walking around with wires in their heads listening to music. We’re desperately trying to stay caught up with our e-mails and phone messages at work, often reading Blackberries during meetings or reading e-mails during phone conversations...

Take time with your Family

Guest Blog ~  CAPT Gleisner

Our families provide a safe harbor during the storms of life.  Good close relationships help every member of a family for different reasons.  Our children need to know that in spite of the continuous media barrage of bad news, everything will be alright...

Reflection and the Future

Guest Blog ~ Command Master Chief David Armer

The past has given me a strong foundation that I draw on for decision making.  I see the mistakes that have been made, the attributes of OUTSTANDING leaders and the reasoning behind decisions.  I use this foundation to formulate my decisions, both personally and professionally.

SMART Scholarship

Guest Blog ~ Gary Kessler

My focus in this week’s blog is on a DoD scholarship program called SMART, which stands for Science, Mathematics & Research for Transformation.  SMART is a science and technology workforce development program for DoD agencies to use for growing their future workforce.

Everyone Needs Insight and Perspective

Guest Blog ~ Kathleen Donnelly

When I started my civilian career almost 27 years ago, mentoring was not a very common activity.  Since then, the Navy has done a terrific job of changing that to a more common-place, expected and encouraged activity – to have a mentor and to be a mentor – regardless of what level you are in the organization. 

I Shall Return

I’m going to be out of the office at some mandatory training for a few weeks.  In the meantime we’ve arranged for a series of Guest Bloggers...

Navy Blue

Over the past few months, I’ve become aware that some of the uncivil conduct we are seeing has escalated well beyond any acceptable behavior. To make matters worse that offensive conduct is being aimed at some of our younger teammates, including minority and female employees who we depend on to carry this organization forward....

Civility

The recent climate survey results show us there is always room for improvement.  Last week we discussed rewards and recognition and this week we take on workplace civility...

Recognition and Rewards

Over 5,700 of you across NAWCAD took the opportunity to participate in the Command Climate Survey last winter.  As a command, NAWCAD generally scored higher than private industry, DoD and other Navy activities.  However, there is always room for improvement.  Areas we intend focus our efforts on concern improvements in rewards and recognition.  I’d like to start that discussion today....

Retirement Flags

You're a grand old flag,
You're a high flying flag
And forever in peace may you wave.
You're the emblem of
The land I love.
The home of the free and the brave.
– From the chorus of George M. Cohan’s 1906 song “You’re a Grand Old Flag”

Live to Play, Play to Live

Some of you may remember this period used to be referred to as the ‘101 Critical Days of Summer’.  A few years ago that tagline was dropped, but the idea remains the same – we all need to raise our level of safety awareness during this time of year...

Reflecting on the Battle of Midway

Each year the Navy family pauses to reflect on the Battle of Midway – that day when the tide of World War II changed. To appreciate Midway, you need to start at Pearl Harbor in December, 1941.  The attack on Pearl was a stunning blow to the American Fleet...

Bravo Zulu!

This week we recognize some of the individuals and teams in our Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division who contribute everyday to ensure we are supporting Sailors, Marines, Soldiers, Airmen, Coast Guardsmen and the community.  In the Navy, the term we use for “well done” is Bravo Zulu... 

Patents Pending

This week we had the opportunity to recognize NAWCAD inventors at our Patent Awards ceremony.  Many folks don’t realize we have inventors in our ranks.  In fact, NAWCAD holds 57 active patents and has 37 more pending at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Over the last decade...

Just ask the Chief - By Command Master Chief David Armer

Guest Blog - CMC David Armer   

“Ask the Chief” is a common phrase heard around the Navy, but what does it really mean?  The basic meaning is that if you need the correct answer in a timely manner the Chief is that source of information...  
 

Where is the @#*@?#! gas tank?

We’ve all had the experience of getting into an unfamiliar car. Perhaps it’s our spouse’s car that we rarely drive, a rental, or one we borrow from a family member.  Regardless, we get behind the wheel, adjust the seat and mirrors...

CoNA: Igor Sikorsky’s NAWCAD Legacy

Although few rotary wing aircraft proved viable in WW II, by 1949 the helicopter had replaced the seaplane aboard Navy surface ships.  The Sikorsky HO3S-1 became the fleet workhorse and the small flight deck has never been the same.

Three Hundred and Seventy-two Days

Today marks the 69th anniversary of the first time the USS Hornet and her crew faced the enemy during WWII and there was more to their story than one mission...
 

A Discussion on Relevance

My first guest blog – CAPT Bill “Roto” Reuter

We in NAVAIR are part of such an incredible organization.  We possess such tremendous intellect across so many disciplines.  Throughout NAVAIR and NAWCAD, we are proud of our "mental intelligence" and the tremendous accomplishments that result from the dedication of our highly skilled and educated team.  For example...

Thoughts on leaving nobody behind

When I was flying there was a certain reassurance that if something happened and we were not able to get back to the carrier, my comrades – my brothers- and sisters-in-arms – would do everything they could to find us and get us back safely. Although I knew there were times that commitment failed, such as the raid on Makin Island during WWII,  ...

“Hang Tough!”

Last weekend my family and I were returning from my mother’s 75th birthday party in upstate New York when we stopped for lunch near Lebanon, Penn.  At the checkout counter, I noticed the headline in the Lebanon Daily News about a local gathering at the Hershey Theater on March 19: “Today we salute a legend”. 

Who Was Joy Bright Hancock?

Perhaps you have heard of the Joy Bright Hancock Leadership Award, co-sponsored by the Sea Service Leadership Association and the Military Officers Association of America to honor the visionary leadership of service members whose ideals and dedication foster a positive working environment for reinforcing and furthering the integration of women into the Navy.  But who was Joy Bright Hancock that we recognize some of our best officers and enlisted personnel in her name?

“… in the national interest.”

With the first 100 years of naval aviation behind us, now is a good time to reflect on the reason we’ve made it this far: We are a team -- Sailors, Marines, Civil Servants, and Industry. 

NAWCAD Wild Things

“Wild thing, you make my heart sing, you make everything groovy…”-- from the song “Wild Thing” written by John Wesley Voight

Career Vectors

“If you are to be, you must begin by assuming responsibility. You alone are responsible for every moment of your life, for every one of your acts.” -- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry in Airman’s Odyssey

BEYA STEM

Challenging the Status Quo

Thirty Days

We’ve been at this communication experiment now for about 30 days, and I’m impressed with the feedback we’ve seen so far. This week I’m pulling up a few comments from earlier posts to continue some of these conversations further. (Note they are paraphrased for space, but not content.)

Virtual Worlds

I’ll be the first to admit I have trouble managing my time in one world, but the reality is we are all moving rapidly toward a time when virtual worlds will become an important part of how we accomplish work. For NAWCAD, NAWC-TSD is leading the exploration into how the Navy will leverage this technology to improve our training systems.

Safety and Risk

Centennial of Naval Aviation: First Trap

Strategic Plans

Last year RDML Gaddis chartered the NAWCAD Strategic Cell to anticipate our future needs and recommend key strategic initiatives we should pursue. The objective of the Strategic Cell is to present a roadmap for what NAWCAD will look like, and what you will work with, twenty years from now.