coastal compass february 2016

Coastal Compass - February 2016

View from the BridgeBy Commanding OfficerCapt. Phillip Dawson III

Good day Shipmates. This month’s View from the Bridge is going to focus on Diver-sity as well as provide a status on the DEOMI Equal Opportunity Climate Surveys (DEOCS). Throughout the year, the command has several events planned to celebrate diversity. The suc-cess of these events is due to the hard work and organization of the Diversity Council, and your participation.

We began calendar year 2016’s special em-phasis observances on Jan. 13, 2016 with an event in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday. This event, organized by the Diversity Council, commemorated Dr. King’s speech with a dance performance by Destiny Young, Man-aging Director, Global Arts Society followed by an inspirational dedication to Dr. King by the keynote speaker, Mr. Al McCambry, Dean, Workforce Development, Gulf Coast State Col-lege. Mr. McCambry acknowledged challenges and accomplishments of African Americans in our history. This program fit in very well with the spirit of the occasion and provided a lasting artistic and expressive visual associated with Dr. King’s speech.

In March, the Diversity Council is planning an event to commemorate Women’s History Month, with the theme “Working to Form a More Perfect Union: Honoring Women in Pub-lic Service and Government.” That will be fol-lowed in May with the bi-annual Diversity Day which combines the celebration of four differ-ent races, ethnicities, and cultures representing Black, Asian, Hispanic, and American Indian contributions to our American heritage. Em-ployees are offered to sample and taste various

food dishes, view exhibits, and witness cultural arts performances from various societies around the world.

Last year’s event was the most successful I’ve seen. It was great talking to everyone and enjoying the food from so many cultures. This same style event will occur again in November 2016. In October 2016, the Diversity Council will host an event to commemorate National Disability Employment Awareness Month. I would like to thank everyone in advance for your support and participation, without which we would not have these successful events.

Last November, I shared the status of our DEOCS actions. Today I’ll share a summary of last year’s efforts, as well as updates for this year. As you recall, Mr. Stewart’s and my three main priorities were: Communication; Con-tracts, and Information Assurance/Information Technology (IA/IT).

Our communication efforts in calendar year 2015 included NSWC PCD’s Facebook page (facebook.com/nswcpcd) which had 1,086 hits representing interest in our organization to in-clude a multitude of events sponsored by our Diversity Council. Additionally, the Division’s YouTube channel (youtube.com/nswcpcdpao), promoted events such as the NSWC PCD’s 70th anniversary commemorating seven de-cades of technical excellence and support in mine warfare, diving and life support, naval special warfare and amphibious and expedition-ary maneuver systems.

During this past year, the Diversity Coun-cil and Graphic Arts Branch developed and released a video recognizing the achievements of Asian Americans highlighted by three of our Asian American employees which can also be found on our YouTube channel. This video il-lustrated the struggles the Asian American culture have overcome integrating into the United States society and recognizing their vast achievements and contributions, both domes-tically and militarily. The video initially pre-miered at the NSWC PCD Diversity Day event held in November 2015; timely enough that it may be used to support local events and our re-cruiting efforts abroad in an effort to encourage the best and brightest individuals to compete for jobs carrying our mission forward in the twen-ty-first century.

I would like to update you on our continued efforts governing the timeliness of our procure-ment processes. As I previously stated in my last View from the Bridge, we have replaced the Purchase Request Tool (PRT) with the Pur-chase Request Form (PRF) which has improved procurement timeliness. Our main goal was to develop and implement a six-day solution in which small purchases, such as Purchase-card (P-card), Military Standard Requisition and

Issue Procedure (MILSTRIP) and General Services Administration (GSA) Global orders could be requested and placed on order within six days. To date, we have achieved our goal for MILSTRIP orders with an average processing time of five days which exceeds the goal by one day, and we are currently working to improve our processing time for GSA and GPC, which currently stand at 7 and 12 days respectively.

In my last View from the Bridge, I shared that NAVSEA had increased NSWC PCD’s In-formation Technology Purchase Request (ITPR) approval threshold from $25K to $500K. Based on FY16 guidance from the CNO, we should be receiving direction from NAVSEA that will provide a short form, vice current form, for all ITPR’s below $25K. This is another successful work burden removal.

The DEOCS is my most vital management tool to proactively assess the organizational cli-mate when it comes to equal opportunity using your thoughts and ideas on what is good about our organization and what can be improved upon. Mr. Stewart and I would like to encour-age all of you to participate in our next DEOCS survey and assessment process which will be conducted during second quarter FY 2016, to give us the most comprehensive input possible. I assure you that the survey is administered anonymously and the survey does not “single-out” anyone by virtue of their unique demo-graphic profile. With your input, we will be in a better position to evaluate our strengths as an organization, as well as those areas that need improvement.

I cannot overemphasize how important it is for all personnel to participate as we can’t fix what we don’t know. We promise you that we will listen to your concerns, entertain any sug-gestions for improvement, provide feedback on the DEOCS, and follow through with concrete actions to improve the overall climate and mo-rale of the Division.

I would also like to address the Sexual As-sault Prevention and Response (SAPR) pro-gram as it pertains to our annual DEOCS. There are a variety of sexual assault questions out-lined in the DEOCS survey which are intended to provide leadership with the tools to assess the SAPR Program for their command. In ac-cordance with Navy instructions and policy governing the SAPR Program, all military and civilian personnel receive mandatory SAPR training annually. Additionally, face to face training is given to all our newly hired civilians who go through Onboarding when they first ar-rive at the Command.

As a result of this training, all personnel should be familiar with the fundamentals of

See VFTB, page 3


VFTB from page 2

EODC Nathaniel Geohn with Explosive Ordinance Disposal Mobile Unit 6 Detachment Panama City, readies a remotely operated bomb disposal robot to assess a potential improvised explosive device strapped to the active shooter role player during an active shooter drill aboard Naval Support Activ-ity Panama City (NSA PC). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Fred Gray IV NSA PC/Released)

Solid Curtain-Citadel Shield Training Exercises UnderwayBy Katherine Mapp

NSWC PCD Public Affairs

PANAMA CITY, Florida – At Naval Sup-port Activity Panama City (NSA PC), safety is a top priority. To ensure preparedness for any possible threats, NSA PC began their annual Solid Curtain-Citadel Shield (SC-CS) antiterrorism exercises, which runs from Feb. 1-12, 2016, with an active shooter drill held February 2nd at the Navy Gateway Inn and Suites aboard the installation.

On that same day, all tenant commands aboard NSA PC also participated in the exercise by conducting a 10-minute lock-down drill that would help base employees and residents understand what measures to take to protect themselves during an active-shooter scenario.

SC-CS is a force protection training exercise that is held on Navy installations all over the continental United States. The purpose of the exercise is to increase effi-ciency and train both security personnel and the workforce on how to react in a potential threatening situation on the installation. The exercise also gives key departments such as police, fire, and emergency management an opportunity to run their procedures and effectively mitigate various types of issues and threats.

For NSWC PCD, the largest tenant com-mand aboard NSA PC, the training helped leadership and planners to practice and pre-pare for this type of crisis situation.

“We learned a lot during this drill that will help us to better prepare and react should this ever happen at NSWC PCD,” said NSWC PCD Antiterrorism Officer Ken Tillman. “We have gathered our lessons learned and continue to improve our pro-cesses to react to an incident like this.”

On Feb. 2, 2016, NSA PC simulated a mock active shooter scenario involving hostages. The exercise scenario involved a disgruntled past employee who engaged in a verbal dispute with another role player. The argument soon escalated into an ac-tive shooter situation in which the shooter fled on foot and took hostages into the Main Deck Pub and Grille, located behind the Navy Gateway Inn and Suites. Upon being notified of the generic gunfire sound effects, authorities reported promptly and assessed the situation. Throughout the exercise, the simulated gunman and officers used imita-

tion guns and a mock explosive vest.Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)

Mobile Unit Six Detachment Panama City arrived on the scene along with their re-motely operated bomb disposal robot to go through the motions of setting up their unit along with navigating their robot to the gun-man and his false suicide vest.

After being alerted by intercom that there was an active shooter exercise occurring, everyone was encouraged to take shelter indoors, lock their doors behind them, and muster for safety. The entire base was on lockdown including no one being allowed to come to or from the base because of road blocks and gate access denials.

According to Corey Brooks, Installation Mission Readiness Officer, the exercise was both successful and beneficial to the work-force.

“This exercise gives the workforce an opportunity to proficiently and efficiently go through their protocols and preplanned re-sponses to figure out the best way deal with an active shooter or a hostage situation,” Brooks said. “It also gives the Emergency Operation Center (EOC), where our key de-partments are, an opportunity to look at the long-term strategy.”

Officers and emergency personnel were aware there would be an anti-terrorism ex-ercise, but were unaware about the specific scenario. By being unaware of the scenario ahead of time, this forced officers to think on their feet by assessing the situation and being ready for whatever comes at them. Of-ficers were thrown curveballs to keep them on their feet and engaged throughout the training exercise.

Not only are Brooks and his team pre-paring for today’s safety and preparedness, but also for the future.

“After the training exercises are com-pleted, we take the lessons learned and create an after action report,” Brooks said. “From that, we identify any processes in training that have fallen through the cracks and find a way to improve proficiency in these areas.”

Brooks stated that by conducting SC-CS exercises each year, he and his team are able to determine more efficient and effec-tive ways of handling threatening situations. Although training exercises occurred aboard NSA PC until February 12th, no more lock-down exercises took place. ♦

sexual assault, as well as proper reporting requirements. Therefore, both military and civilian personnel should be able to answer the questions on the DEOCS. By their na-ture, some of the questions may pertain to the military processes, such as restricted re-ports, which you may not be familiar with. Please do the best you can.

If you have any questions or would like additional information regarding the SAPR program, please contact the NSA Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC), Catherine Montfort at [email protected] or NSWC PCD’s Victim Advo-cate, Karen Fleischer at [email protected] or visit http://www.sapr.mil/ for further information.

As I close this column, I want to thank each of you for all the work you do to sup-port our sailors and marines, and for mak-ing NSWC PCD the Technical Center of Excellence for Littoral Warfare and Coastal Defense. Capt. Dawson, USN ♦

Serving as the keynote speaker for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Observance Ceremony Jan. 13, 2016 aboard the Naval Support Activity Panama City (NSA PC), Mr. Al McCambry, Dean of Workforce Development at Gulf Coast State College receives special recognition for his compelling speech, “The Status Quo Has Got To Go,” a message of faith, hope and dreams. From left to right: Mr. Ed Stewart, technical director for the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD), Mr. Al McCambry, Commander Doug Huggan, NSA PC and Cmdr. Paul Werring, Ex-ecutive Officer for NSWC PCD. (Photo by Jeff Prater, NSWC PCD/RELEASED)


Commands Thank Keynote Black History Month Keynote Speaker Al McCambry

NSWC PCD)Commanding Officer Capt. Phillip Dawson presents an award coin to NSWC PCD Scientist Duane Odom for his student men-toring during computer science education week. Dawson received a letter of appreciation from Patronis Elementary Teacher Jeanne Royer lauding Odom for inspiring student interests in computer coding. (Pho-to by Jeff Prater, NSWC PCD/RELEASED)

Community Outreach Appreciation

InsideThis Edition

View from the Bridge ......................................2

Solid Curtain-Citadel Shield Training ............3

Black History Month .......................................4

Community Outreach Appreciation ...............4

Tax Time ..........................................................5

HR: The Award Goes To ................................6

MAC Gavel Passes to 2016 Chairman ........7

Rep. Jay Trumbull...........................................8

Navy Assists Three Rivers Science Fair ......9

Junior Leadership Bay Visit ........................10

Black History Month Proclamation ..............11

PCD Engineer Mentors BPA Stingbots ......11

Hallowed Grounds ........................................12

Destiny Young, Managing Director at the Global Arts Society, performs an “I Have a Dream” expressive dance during the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Observance Ceremony January 13, 2016 at the Na-val Support Activity Panama City Long Glass Conference Center. Martin Luther King Day is a federal holiday held on the third Monday of January. It celebrates the life and achievements of Martin Lu-ther King Jr., an influential American civil rights leader. He is most well-known for his campaigns to end racial segregation on public transport and for racial equality in the United States. (Photo reprinted with permission from Panama City News Her-ald Photographer Andrew Wardlow.)

About the Cover Photo

New Form provides for 2015 Federal Taxes


From Defense Health Agency

WASHINGTON — Defense Department civilian and military personnel will begin re-ceiving Internal Revenue Service Form 1095 to help them complete health coverage ques-tions on their 2015 federal tax returns, DoD’s principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for health affairs recently told DoD News.

While taxpayers self-attested their health coverage to the IRS in 2015 as part of the Af-fordable Care Act, Dr. Karen Guice said this is the first year DoD is responsible for notifying the IRS of its military and civilian employees’ health care insurance participation through Form 1095.

“DoD has done a really good job coordi-nating all of this with the IRS,” Guice said. “DoD will make sure its military members and civilians receive physical forms beginning January 31st and the form already is available via MyPay for those who receive their tax forms electronically.”What to Expect

Service members will receive an IRS Form 1095-B or 1095-C for their TRICARE coverage. Military retirees and annuitants will get Form 1095-B. DoD civilians will receive a Form 1095-C from their Pay Center and a 1095-B from their Federal Employee Health Benefit carrier if they purchased FEHBP cov-erage during 2015.

“It’s expected Continued Health Care Benefit Program enrollees will receive their 1095-B forms from Humana,” Guice said. “Additionally, DoD employees who use their spouse’s nongovernment health in-surance coverage should check with their spouse’s health insurance carrier about re-ceiving their 1095.”

Check 1095 for Accuracy“Taxpayers should review their 1095 forms

for accuracy before filing their federal taxes,” Guice said.

Any incorrect information for filers and their family members, such as home addresses and Social Security numbers, should be re-ported to MyPay, the Defense Finance and Ac-counting Service, personnel offices and the De-fense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System. She stressed the 1095 forms are not filed with a federal tax return, but taxpayers should keep any 1095 forms with their personal federal tax records. Why Form 1095 is Important

The Affordable Care Act mandates that all Americans must have access to basic health insurance. TRICARE and all plans offered by the FEHB program meet the ACA standards for minimum essential coverage, Guice noted. And because coverage compliance is reported to the IRS, noncompliance can result in IRS penalties.

“We don’t want people caught in the pen-alty phase,” Guice said. “We want to avoid that at all costs.” For Those Who Lose TRICARE or FEHB Coverage

“In the upcoming year, people should keep in mind they can sign up for coverage any time they have a life-changing event, such as a mar-riage, birth of a baby or a change in employ-ment and other events,” Guice said.

Service members who plan to separate from the military in the next year – but not retire – will be responsible for signing up for coverage, she said, particularly if their new employer does not offer health care insurance. She encouraged those who lose TRICARE or FEHBP coverage to evaluate their post-DoD health care options via www.healthcare.gov. ♦


February LOS Awards

30 Years

Greggory Simmons

25 Years

George Gilman Heidi Lecklitner-Halvorson

Mark Weil Lori Zipes

20 Years

Edwin Hamblin Yvette Reaux-Holt

15 Years

James Fulton Steven Grant

Helberth Ortiz Tien Tran

10 Years

Amaryliss Bivins

February 2016

NSWC PCD Awards & Recognition Program Manager may be contacted at 234-4808

Awards & Recognition Bulletin

Highlight Achievements Congratulations to: LT Tim Murray - Code CXA, Navy Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service during his tour onboard NSWC PCD ND1 Anthony Faieta - Code CXB, Navy Commendation Medal for his selection as NSWC PCD’S 2015 Sailor of the Year ND2 Steven Starner - Code CXB, Navy Achievement Medal for LCS Support James S. LoTurco, Mark Sheer, and Kelly S. Williams – Code E41, Letter of Appreciation from Branch Head, Counter-Improvised Explosive Devices Branch, SIAT, Marine Corps Systems Command for professionalism, technical expertise and tremendous support provided for the testing of the Tarantula C-IED System Upcoming Recognition Opportunities

Name of Award Target Month

Project Management Institute (PMI) Professional Awards Mar Society of Women Engineers – SWE Mar Procurement Round Table Elmer B. Staats Contracting Professional Excellence Award Mar DoD Disability Awards Apr National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Bronze Medal Apr DoN Acquisition Excellence Awards Apr Women of Color (WOC) Technology Awards Apr Federally Employed Women (FEW) Awards Apr DoN Nathaniel Stinson Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Awards Apr

Coastal CompassNaval Surface Warfare Center

Panama City DivisionPanama City, FL, 32407-7001

(850) 235-5990 DSN: 436-5990Commanding Officer

Capt. Phillip Dawson III, USNExecutive Officer

Cmdr. Paul G. Werring Jr.Division Technical Director

Edwin Stewart (SES)Public Affairs Officer

Jeffrey PraterEditor and Media Liaison

Dan BroadstreetPublic Affairs Specialist

Jacqui BarkerPublic Affairs Specialist

Katherine Mapp

Coastal Compass is published monthly by NSWC PCD and is an authorized medium for news of gen-eral interest about employees of NSWC PCD and their work. Contents of Coastal Compass are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the Department of Defense or Department of the Navy. Coastal Compass’ content is pro-vided and prepared by the NSWC PCD Office of Corporate Communi-cations. For details about submissions, contact NSWC PCD Corporate Communication Editor Dan Broad-street at (850) 235-5990.

To contact NSWC PCD’s Fraud, Waste,

and Abuse Hotline, call: (850) 234-4462

MAC Gavel Passes to 2016 Chairman

The Passing of the Gavel! Outgoing 2015 Bay County Chamber of Commerce, Military Affairs Committee (MAC) Chairman Larry Carroll passes The Gavel to the incoming 2016 MAC Chairman Mike Sears. (Photo by Jeff Prater, NSWC PCD/RELEASED)


Naval Support Activity Panama City (NSA PC) base leadership recognize the efforts of out-going 2015 Bay County Chamber of Commerce, Military Affairs Committee (MAC) Chairman, Larry Carroll, with a commemorative plaque on January 12, 2016. Seen from left to right are: Cmdr. Doug Huggan, commanding officer for NSA PC; Larry Carroll, 2015 MAC Chairman; Capt. Phil Dawson, commanding officer for the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD); Cmdr. Hung Cao, commanding officer for the Naval Diving and Salvage Train-ing Center; and NSWC PCD Technical Director Ed Stewart. (Photo by Jeff Prater, NSWC PCD/RELEASED)


PCD Strategizes to Hire, Develop, and Retain Diverse WorkforceBy Brenna Williams

NSWC PCD Strategic Analyst

PANAMA CITY, Florida — Within the Naval Surface Warfare Cen-ter Panama City Division’s (NSWC PCD) Strategic Plan, one of our objectives is to attract, hire, develop, and retain a diverse and capable workforce to sustain technical predominance. NSWC PCD empha-sizes this for many reasons, most importantly because a diverse work-force brings with them multiple cultural and educational experiences and therefore, dissimilar ways of thinking which lead to better techni-cal options and solutions for the Fleet’s challenges.

We don’t strive to have a diverse workforce to be politically cor-rect; we do so because it just makes sense if we wish to produce the very best innovative technical solutions to complex problems.In our strategic plan, we emphasize:• Increasing mentoring and coaching,• Providing a full-spectrum PCD University curriculum,• Providing opportunities for reassignment to widen our personnel

technical background, and• Hiring diverse candidates across multi-dimensions including

race, gender, educational background, physical ability, and cul-ture.

• In FY15, we initiated three Strategic Initiatives (SI) in this area. They were Updates to PCDU; a New Professional Program; and Increasing Diversity within all areas/tiers of PCD. The first, Up-dates to PCDU, was completed in FY15 and the other two initia-tives will continue into FY16.

Diversity SI #1: Update PCDU to increase visibility and usability.Goal number one was to resolve the ADA issues with the class

videos. The issues with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 compliance were resolved. Close captioning is now included in all videos.

Goal number two was to offer live sessions of popular exist-ing classes. This has been accomplished and you may find the Peer Course schedule on the Training webpage at https://navsea.portal.

navy.mil/wc/surpnma/Training/SitePages/PCD_U_Peer_Course_Training.aspx.

The third and final goal of the initiative was to develop and imple-ment a plan for classes on leadership and supervision. A Leadership Training Plan was developed and leadership classes will be added to PCDU over the next year. Training will continue to solicit your feedback on what classes you need to continue your professional de-velopment. Please contact you department training representative or Ms. Stephanie Robinson for more information.Diversity SI#2: New Professional Rotation Program

The goal of the initiative is to develop a program where our new professionals will rotate through various assignments across PCD, gaining valuable technical knowledge of multiple product lines and/or technical areas. Further information on this program will be avail-able later this year. Individuals interested in participating in the initia-tive should talk with their Branch Heads.Diversity SI#3: Increase Diversity within all areas/tiers of PCD

Diversity has to do with more than race or ethnicity. Diverse work-places also consist of employees with varying attributes including gender, ethnicity, education, socioeconomic background, geographic location, and religious beliefs. As we develop our hiring strategy, we take into account all of these factors in our search for our new per-sonnel. We are making full use of all available hiring authorities to increase the number of diversity hires, are expanding the universities from which we solicit applications, and aggressively recruiting our veterans and other experienced personnel across the country.

By having a balanced hiring class of new professionals, experi-enced personnel, and former military, we will see a wealth of new ideas and innovation from our personnel over the years to come. Our workforce comprises the very best this country has to offer.

Our people are the foundation to achieving our mission. We will continue to focus on hiring, developing, and retaining our workforce to ensure we sustain a diverse world-class workforce, ready to meet the Fleet’s current and future needs. ♦

Florida House of Representatives 6th District Rep. Jay Trumbull Visits Panama City

Rep. Jay Trumbull, Florida’s 6th District visited the Naval Support Activity Panama City on Jan. 5, 2016. Rep. Trumbull (center-left in left photo) received briefings from the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City and the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center (NDSTC). Solidifying Panama City as the “Home of Military Diving,” NDSTC Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Hung Cao (center-right in left photo) discusses the fine art of underwater cutting and welding, one of the many courses of instruction at NDSTC. (Photo by Jeff Prater, NSWC PCD/RELEASED)


Local Navy Scientists Bring Enthusiasm to Three Rivers Science Fair

By Dan BroadstreetNSWC PCD Public Affairs

U.S. Navy Reserve Engineering Duty Officer Ensign Blake Davis, who is also an Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD) employee, presents 2016 International winner Rutherford High School senior Justin Lee the Naval Science Award at the Three Rivers Science Fair. Pictured from left to right are: Florida State University Dean Carol Edwards; Gulf Coast College President Dr. John Holdnak; U.S. Navy Reserve Engineering Duty Officer Ensign Blake Davis; Bay County Schools Superintendent Bill Husfelt: Rutherford High School Senior Justin Lee; Director of Secondary Instruction Suzanne Farrar; and Director of Elementary Instruction Denise Kelley. (Photo by Dan Broadstreet, NSWC PCD/RELEASED).

PANAMA CITY, Florida. – Scientists and engineers from the Na-val Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD) teamed with local academia and industry Jan. 26-28, 2016 to help judge winners for the 55th annual Three Rivers Regional Science and Engineering Fair.

While being held at the Florida State University Panama City (FSU PC) campus’ Holley Academic Center, FSU PC Dean Car-ol Edwards introduced science fair partner and president of Gulf Coast State College, Dr. John Holdnak who declared participating students critical to America’s future.

“I want to thank all the teachers, parents, scientists, engineers and our professional community business partners for volunteer-ing your support for this event. But, I especially want to thank all the students who have worked so hard to be here today,” Holdnak said. “We need our students to keep thinking creatively. America’s future depends on innovation and I can proudly say that begins right here.”

Bay District Schools Science Coordinator Katie McCurdy echoed this sentiment.

“The community’s support, especially from our participating scientists, engineers and community business professionals helps

inspire our students’ interests in STEM studies,” said McCurdy. “And given the speed at which the world’s technology continues to advance, it’s important we do our best to equip them with the re-quired skills so they can fill STEM-related career positions needed by our country to keep us globally competitive.”

Investing in STEM graduates is a priority for the Office of Na-val Research, according to NSWC PCD STEM K-12 Outreach Co-ordinator Ed Linsenmeyer.

“The U.S. Navy’s Office of Naval Research (ONR) and the Na-val Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) are extremely interested in supporting STEM outreach events,” said Linsenmeyer. “ONR supports funding this K-12 STEM outreach event with NAVSEA’s blessing, specifically through ONR’s Naval Science Award Pro-gram (NSAP), which recognizes the accomplishments of students in regional science fairs.”

Linsenmeyer said the Navy’s scientists and engineers who help judge students’ projects construct their advice to students very carefully.

“We don’t so much criticize students’ research projects as much as try to show them how to improve their interpretation of the results,” said Linsenmeyer.

Dennis Gallagher, a project engineer with NSWC PCD’s Un-

See SCIENCE, page 10

Coastal Compass - January 2016

derwater Systems Development Branch, serving as a volunteer judge for yet another year in the Three Rivers Science Fair, agrees with Linsenmeyer that the way to engage students is to optimisti-cally pique their curiosity.

“Of course as judges we have a set of criteria we adhere to when checking the student projects, but in addition to that, I try to get them excited about how they might be able to further develop what they’ve built so far,” said Gallagher. “I like to ask students, ‘How could we expand on what you’ve developed? What other areas or solutions to problems might you be able to apply your project to?’”

NSWC PCD Mechanical Engineer Paige George said she was a prime example of how the U.S. Navy’s STEM outreach efforts inspire young students to grow up and pursue science-related ca-reers with the Navy.

“The U.S. Navy invests in inspiring young students to become STEM graduates, not only so they will pursue STEM-related de-grees, but so that as graduates they will also be excited to come to work for the Navy,” said George.

George said 20 years ago, she was a young elementary student when Dennis Gallagher and another Navy scientist put on a sci-ence show at her school, which set the wheels in motion for her to want to become a Navy scientist and engineer.

“I know firsthand that Navy STEM outreach works,” George said. “Not only do I now work as a Navy scientist and engineer

Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD) Project Engineer Dennis Gallagher (left) pauses for a photo while judging Bay Ha-ven Charter Academy student Vance Ullman’s project titled, the Power of Nature. Pictured from left to right are: NSWC PCD Project Engineer Dennis Gallagher, Bay Haven Charter Academy Three Rivers Science Fair partici-pant Vance Ullman, and NSWC PCD Mechanical Engineers Paige George and Mallory Bond. (Photo by Dan Broadstreet, NSWC PCD/RELEASED).

who participates in STEM outreach, but I’m finding myself writ-ing college reference letters for kids I’ve mentored when they were elementary students participating in STEM-related events, too.” ♦

SCIENCE from page 9

Junior Leadership Bay (JLB) is an exciting Bay County Chamber program for high school juniors - running October through May of each year. It prepares Bay County’s youth and future business leaders to meet the challenges facing our area through hands-on activities and interactive discus-sions involving community leaders and motivational speakers. This program is designed to educate local students on the local resources and oppor-tunities available to benefit the future of Bay County. On Feb. 2, 2016, JLB visited the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD). Participating students learned what NSWC PCD scientists and engineers do on a daily basis and why Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) are so important. The picture above was taken with JLB aboard a US Navy Landing Craft Air Cushion vehicle. (Photo by Jeff Prater, NSWC PCD/RELEASED)

Junior Leadership Bay Visits Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division


Locals Join Panama City Mayor Greg Brudnicki to Proclaim Black History MonthOn February 8, 2016, Diversity Council Members from the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division joined Panama City Mayor Greg Brudnicki, along with members of the community, at the Panama City City Hall to witness the mayor’s signing of the 2016 Black History Month Proc-lamation. February 2016 marks the 90th anniversary of the observation in the United States of Black History Month, a national effort to accord official recognition to the heritage of African Americans and the many contributions made to the development of America and the American way of life. The annual signing of the proclamation is a celebration of diversity strengthening our community. Pictured from left to right are: Alvin Peters, Pete Ham-ilton, Rev. Dr. Rufus Wood, Jr., Kenneth Brown, Leon Miller, Mayor Greg Brudnicki, Dr. Wendell Saintval, Candace Cobb, Rachel Ivy, Janice Grant, Christina Pate, Matthew Shack, Vatana An and Pamela Mittlesteadt. (Photo by Katherine Mapp, NSWC PCD/RELEASED)

Navy Engineer Paige George Mentors BPA StingbotsBy Jeff Prater

NSWC PCD Public Affairs

PANAMA CITY, Florida — A “FIRST” for Naval Surface Warfare Cen-ter Panama City Division (NSWC PCD) Mechanical Engineer Paige George and the Breakfast Point Academy (BPA) Stingbots!

The National Defense Education Program (NDEP) provides grants to local schools to participate in the FIRST Lego League (firstlegoleague.org).

Tomorrow’s innovators practice imaginative thinking and teamwork. Guided by adult mentors and coaches, FIRST LEGO League teams re-search a real-world problem such as food safety, recycling, energy, etc., and are challenged to develop a solution. They also must design, build, and program a robot using LEGO MINDSTORMS® technology, then compete on a table-top playing field.

This year, NDEP provided grants to BPA, Lynn Haven Elementary, Southport Elementary, and Genesis Learning Academy. These grants in-cluded an EV3 robotics kit and the registration fees towards the competi-tion.

Mentors from NSWC PCD went to these schools to help the teachers coach the students in preparation for competition: NSWC PCD Mechani-cal Engineer, Paige George mentored the Stingbots at BPA, Engineer Pe-dro Bracho mentored at Lynn Haven Elementary, Mechanical Engineers Allie Pilcher and Dylan Gouletas mentored at Southport Elementary and

Mechanical Engineer Damion Dunlap and Mathematician Richard Ta-tum mentored at Genesis Learning Academy.

Teams from Northwest Florida competed Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016 in a robotics competition at Covenant Christian School. The BPA Stingbots were selected as the “Best Up and Coming Team” at the competition, which earned them a $300 LEGO MINDSTORM robotics kit.

“I am so proud of BPA and all the work they put in this year as a rookie team,” said George.

Bravo Zulu to all of our mentors for enabling these students to apply science, technology, engineering, and math concepts, plus a big dose of imagination to solve a problem. You are making a difference! ♦

Breakfast Point Academy Stingbots compete at the National Defense Edu-cation Program’s FIRST Lego League Jan. 23, 2016 at the Covenant Chris-tian School in Panama City, Forida. (Photo by Paige George, NSWC PCD/RELEASED)

Hallowed Grounds: Sites of African American MemoriesBy Pamela Middlesteadt

NSWC PCD Deputy EEO Officer


PANAMA CITY, Florida — February marks the beginning of African American/Black History Month which is an annual cel-ebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing the central role they have played in the history of the United States. This year’s theme is: “Hallowed Grounds: Sites of African American Memories.”

In 1915, historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson founded the As-sociation for the Study of Negro Life and History, which later became the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History. This organization inaugurated the first formal ac-knowledgement of African-Americans’ place in U. S. history by designating the week that included February 12th as “Negro His-tory Week” in 1926.

This week was chosen because February 12 was President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, and February is the month of famed African-American abolitionist Frederick Douglass’ birthday.

During the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, the week grew to regularly encompass a full month. In 1976, President Gerald Ford acknowledged the observance of Black History Month, and Presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan contin-ued that tradition.

In 1986, Congress passed Public Law 99-244 officially des-

ignating February as Black History Month and called upon the president to recognize the designation with a proclamation en-couraging Americans to observe it with appropriate ceremonies and activities. In 1996, the Senate passed a resolution recogniz-ing Black History Month and the achievements of black senators. Since 1996, each President has issued proclamations recognizing Black History Month.

The 2016 Presidential Proclamation declaring February 2016 as National African American History Month is attached. Ad-ditionally, for your information the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute’s Power Point presentation recognizing the achievements of famous African Americans in history which commemorates this year’s theme is forwarded.

In May, the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), Panama City Division, along with the Diversity Council, will celebrate Black History Month as part of their biannual Diversity Day ob-servance. Further information on this year’s events will be forth-coming.

NSWC’s Public Affairs Office will observe Black History Month throughout the month of February by highlighting famous facts in African American history.

Please visit NSWC’s Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/nswcpcd throughout the month to learn more about the history of African Americans. ♦

coastal compass february 2016

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