Month: May 2022

Source: United States Navy

Friends and family witnessed a commissioning ceremony at Amphibious Construction Battalion 1 that was full of Tongan heritage and saw McCray transition from her previous enlisted position as a Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class to an Ensign.

“My parents came to Los Angeles in 1985 from Tonga and I was born in Long Beach, California,” McCray stated about her background. “Watching my immigrant parents grind every day to provide for us built a sense of hard work and perseverance in me, which I have carried through every challenge and responsibility I have had.”

In meeting McCray, it was apparent what everyone in attendance knew: This moment was inevitable. Her dedication to duty was noticeable from childhood. McCray remembers when her father, an engineer, wanted to join the Army but was not allowed because his English was not proficient enough. Because of his inability to join, McCray had a desire to fulfill the dream to serve and joined the Navy directly out of high school, so she went to her local recruiters in Euless, Texas.

“I remember getting my ship to basic training date, which was a few months away,” McCray recounts. “I knew I didn’t want to waste any time and lose sight of my goals after I graduated, so I called my recruiter and had my shipping date changed to as soon as possible. One Sunday right after church, the recruiters came to my door, and I already had my bags packed. It took my Mom by surprise, and there was a lot of crying, but I am glad I made the decision I did. It was time to start the new chapter in my life.”

After McCray reported to her first ship as a young Boatswain’s Mate aboard USS Dewey (DDG 105), she was already making history by commissioning the vessel and becoming a plankowner. It was soon after this that she recalls coming across her first Boatswain on a neighboring ship. McCray saw an officer directing personnel over the deckplates. She saw the leadership they exuded and the respect they earned and asked who they were. After a Sailor explained who the Boatswain was, McCray had her ultimate career goal.

“After that encounter, I wanted to be that person,” McCray stated. “God really paved the way for me and gave me that energy and strength to get through every obstacle. In the Navy, there are so many who led the way for me. I am grateful that all of my leaders and mentors along the way weren’t afraid to tell me direct and get into the nitty gritty of how to be successful.”

McCray’s career soared. She sought a higher education and married a fellow U.S. Navy Boatswain’s Mate, who is now also a commissioned Boatswain. They have welcomed three children. Now, she has met her goal of becoming a Boatswain. Ensign McCray attributes her groundbreaking success to the important advice provided by her father, Alifeleti Likio, “He told me, ‘Are you going to run with what you have or are you going to quit on yourself? You know, if you quit on yourself now, you are always going to quit.’ I have carried that with me everywhere I have gone.”

McCray has a message for other Tongan females, “Now there is a living testimony that this is all possible. You can have a successful family, both professionally and personally, and you don’t have to limit yourself. Only you can limit yourself, and you are limitless. The door is now wide open, and you are looking at me, and I am looking at you and we are both real. We can all make it. Don’t ever entertain negativity and carry grace wherever you go.”

‘Fui’ would like to dedicate her story to her late father, Alifeleti Likio, from Kolomotu’a, for the love and guidance he provided always.

Source: United States Navy

Due to the age of the AV-8 platform, there are many issues with parts, including obsolescence and diminishing manufacturing sources or sources of supply. These challenges have led to increases in backorders which peaked at 322.

“We’ve had to get creative in order to support the AV-8,” said Maj. Jason Constance, NAVSUP WSS AV-8 IWST director. “We’ve worked with industry partners to stand up new repair capabilities, collaborated with the fleet and the program office to increase component survivability in order to decrease demand, and we also reclaim parts through the Stricken Aircraft Reclamation and Disposal Program.”

Maj. Constance said the AV-8 continues its sundown process, the AV-8 IWST has capitalized on components no longer needed at decommissioned units or ships that no longer carry AV-8s.

The IWST’s success in backorder reduction has also led to never-before-seen rates in non-mission capable supply (NMCS) aircraft. As of April 2022, the AV-8 IWST has retained zero NMCS backorders since summer 2021.

“The AV-8 IWST has been successful due to the team we’ve assembled here,” explained Constance. “We have some of the best, brightest and most experienced people in the entire enterprise in our IWST, and they have done an outstanding job supporting the Harrier.”

The AV-8 Harrier is the Marine Corps’ vertical-takeoff and landing capable attack aircraft, which provides a fixed wing close air support and armed reconnaissance capability for Marine Expeditionary Units. The AV-8 is scheduled to provide these mission capabilities until 2028, when it will sundown and the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter will assume its role.

NAVSUP WSS is one of 11 commands under Commander, NAVSUP. Headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and employing a diverse, worldwide workforce of more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel, NAVSUP’s mission is to provide supplies, services, and quality-of-life support to the Navy and joint warfighter. Learn more at www.navsup.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/navsupwss and https://twitter.com/navsupsyscom.

Source: United States Navy

NAVSUP WSS nominees competed against more than 65 nominated individuals from more than 56 government agencies in the Philadelphia area. Out of 26 medalists in nine categories, NAVSUP WSS won one silver medal and two bronze medals.

For the first time in 3 years, NAVSUP WSS employees got the chance to celebrate their accomplishments in center city Philadelphia at the William J. Green Federal Building in-person alongside other nominees, leadership, and employees from Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, the Office of Civilian Human Resources and other supporting agencies.

“I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on the significant impact you and every other federal employee has across the world,” said Antonio Ceballos, Chair of the Philadelphia FEB, in the opening remarks of the ceremony. “Your contributions are noteworthy and meaningful – and they matter. The economy and society would not function without each of you. Today we celebrate the federal workforce – our colleagues and partners!”

NAVSUP WSS’s medal winners include Timothy McCarthy receiving a silver medal in the Outstanding Achievement – Supervisor category, for his leadership skills during these unprecedented times. Tim’s leadership during the pandemic held a positive and lasting impact on each of his team members, as evidenced through his team’s continued success with a 30% backorder reduction, achievement of Supply Materiel Availability of 92.6%, and an all-time low for Non-Mission Capable Supply aircraft for F/A-18 E/F.

Joan Peden received the bronze medal in the Steadfast Achievement category for her expertise and professionalism, over the course of her 37-year career at NAVSUP WSS in a variety of financial and accounting duties. Joan has worked to completely overhaul a broken process for part number funding in Navy Enterprise Resource Planning, which ultimately saved millions of dollars.

The N21 Engineering Department’s Request for Variance (RFV) Review Team, received the bronze medal, for Outstanding Achievement in the COVID Environment. The team utilized the Microsoft Teams virtual work environment to reduce the median turn-around time, from RFV request to product disposition, from six months to a year, down to six days.

“Public service is more than a job, it’s a calling,” said Lisa C. Makosewski, Executive Director, Philadelphia FEB. “Thank you for your leadership.”

NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support is one of eleven commands under Commander, NAVSUP. Headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and employing a diverse, worldwide workforce of more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel, NAVSUP’s mission is to provide supplies, services, and quality-of-life support to the Navy and joint warfighter. Learn more at www.navsup.navy.mil.

For more news and information from NAVSUP WSS, visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/navsupwss.

Source: United States Navy

The award, given since 2000, will be presented by the National Commander Paul E. Dillard on stage at the Legion’s national convention in Milwaukee, WI, Monday, Aug 29- Thursday, Sept. 01 2022.

Service members will be nominated by their commanding officer based primarily on the level of volunteerism they perform off-duty in a local community. Commanding officers may nominate only one sailor from their command.

Eligible Sailors must have served from Jan.1-Dec. 31, 2021, be E-5 or below during the period of service and epitomize Navy core values. Nominees may be active or Reserve, but must be outstanding military professionals. Previous winners of this award are not eligible.

Nomination packages must be contained in one PDF and be submitted on command letterhead. The package must include the following:

• Indication of the CO’s confidence in the Sailor’s professionalism as a representative of the Navy
• A description of the Sailor’s volunteer service performed
• A high-resolution JPEG full body photograph and a high-resolution JPEG head-and-shoulders photograph of the Sailor
• The Sailor’s biography
• A signed consent for release of information

The CO must also note a commitment to facilitate their nominee’s mandatory attendance at the American Legion national convention if selected. Endorsements are not required.

The CO’s description of their nominee’s volunteer efforts must include quantitative data such as hours, days, or months spent on off-duty volunteer community service. Command-sponsored volunteer activities, either on-duty or off-duty, will not be counted. This description should be provided in a bullet format.

If chosen as the award recipient, the nominee’s submitted JPEG photos will be used in printed and online material to publicize and document the award ceremony. The photo should be similar to those commonly associated with Navy leader biographies and official portrait photos.

If chosen as the award recipient, the biography will be used in the Legion’s magazine and convention program. The biography should include hometown information, as well as professional highlights and qualifications.

A written and signed statement of consent by the sailor, authorizing release of information contained in the nomination, is required per the Privacy Act of 1974. The following statement is a sample of written consent: “I, (rate/rank/full name), do hereby authorize the release of all information enclosed in this nomination package to those persons involved in the selection process.”

The American Legion will provide travel and lodging expenses for the individual winner only. The winner is responsible for travel expenses for family members or guests.

Nomination packages should be emailed to kristine.a.garland.civ@us.navy.mil by May 17, 2022. The Navy Office of Community Outreach (NAVCO) will consolidate all nominations, organize a ranking board, and recommend the top candidates to the American Legion, which will make the selection. NAVCO will inform the winner and also notify those not selected.

The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veteran’s organization. Focusing on service to veterans, service members and communities, the Legion evolved from a group of war-weary veterans of World War I into one of the most influential nonprofit groups in the United States.

For further information, please contact Kristine Garland at to kristine.a.garland.civ@us.navy.mil The NAVADMIN can be found here:
https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Portals/55/Messages/NAVADMIN/NAV2022/NAV22079.txt?ver=jPIu6z8_YF79kydz3pQpuw%3d%3d

To view a sample package of a previous winner, visit https://www.outreach.navy.mil/Outreach/ExecutiveOutreach/.