Here you will learn about how I have applied what I have learned in the class room to real world experience.
I have spent the last 13 years with NNS, 10 of which has been in leadership positions.
My first year in leadership I was a shipfitter apprentice in 2011 attending The Apprentice School. Here I got my first long-term opportunity to be a make-up supervisor responsible for 12 craftsmen working structural propulsion work on CVN71, the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt. From there, my career blossomed! Now, I am a general foreman of 3 years serving on CVN73, the USS George Washington and have had up to 7 supervisors and 148 mechanics working for me at one time for shipfitters and welders in propulsion, nuclear, refueling, distributive systems, outfitting, combat systems, hull & tank and ship’s services.
Being in a supervisory role is very challenging. One of the most applicable courses I took early on in my ODU career was Labor Relations Management. Given the mechanics at NNS are governed under a union, this course helped me better understand the history and reasoning behind our union agreement with the management team of my company and how I fit in.
Another great course that bridged my learning at ODU with being a supervisor was Industrial/Organizational Psychology. This course makes you think on a deeper level in how you deal with situational challenges and making strategic choices to ensure positive outcomes.
The picture above shows the building I work out of and the ship I am responsible to help overhaul.
Correlating the expectations of an academic internship to what I have done at the shipyard, as a general foreman, some things I do daily include:
- Pre-planning the work out thinking about the qualifications of my people and signing them up for class if they don’t have the quals
- Evaluate mock-up training needs and timing
- Estimate the amount of hours it will take to complete work by reviewing drawings, work descriptions and the job site based on my experience
- Consult engineering to edit previously issued documents to suit trades requirements (engineers learn daily just like we do).
- Strategize on material ordering and storage based on schedule needs of work
- Discipline when needed and question my supervisors on the disciplining of their direct reports
- Resolve conflict and issues on the job, both socially and technically
- Ensure work is performed safely, with first time quality, at or under cost and meets schedule needs
- Evaluate overtime and manning needs based on work load
- Progress job performance based on knowledge of work and report accurate accounting with objective quality evidence
- Attend various meetings daily to ensure planning, throughput and alignment of priorities with other trades
- This list is not all inclusive, but an overview of some responsibilities