A5 | www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | 7.4.2019
U.S. Navy
USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) underway.
FORD HOLDS FIRST “ SAFETY CULTURE WORKSHOP By MC2 Ryan Seelbach USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78)
NEWPORT NEWS
USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) held a safety culture workshop May 20 through the 23 to highlight and overcome safety challenges in departments across the ship. Ford brought experts from the surface, sub-surface and aviation communities to accomplish the ship-wide workshop where Sailors talked, trained and provided solutions to the everyday problems that specific work centers face on a daily basis. Cmdr. Bryant Nunn, Ford’s safety officer, explained that in aviation, workshops like this are frequent but this has never been done across multiple departments on an aircraft carrier. “In aviation, we bring in senior aviators, former skippers and command master chiefs as well as maintenance master
chiefs. As a team, they will talk to squadrons in focus groups, ask questions and provided feedback to the commanding officer,” said Nunn. “We learned a long time ago, we learned that communication and an environment where there is trust makes us safer and a safer unit.” Over the week, more than 30 sessions were held throughout the ship with safety professionals and Sailors from air, deck, navigation, reactor and operations departments. Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 1st Class Kiara Harris, assigned to Ford’s air department, attended the workshop and was able voice concerns for her department and division. “I went because I wanted to talk about the safety of the ship and wanted to see the perspective of other people and what we
'5 things to know' on the Graduate Education Voucher (GEV) Program From Naval Education and Training Command Public Affairs PENSACOLA, FLA.
Naval officers have an additional advanced education option to pursue graduate studies with the FY-20 Graduate Education Voucher (GEV) program. The GEV program offers eligible officers funding for graduate education during offduty hours. Through GEV, unrestricted line (URL) officers can apply to receive funding for Navy-relevant graduate education meeting the requirements of at least one subspecialty code as specified by the Naval Postgraduate School. Here are '5 Things to Know’on the FY-20 Graduate Education Voucher
(GEV) program:
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The GEV program offers an accelerated funding path to an off-duty master’s degree with financial support of up to $20,000 per fiscal year, with a total limit of $40,000 for up to a 24-month course of study.
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The GEV program is open to URL active-duty officers in pay grades O-3 through O-5, in designators 111X (Surface Warfare), 112X (Submarine Warfare), 113X (Special Warfare/SEAL),114X (Special Operations), and13XX (Naval Aviator/Naval Flight Officer).
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Who can apply? Officers with demonstrated superior performance and upward career mobility who are transfer-
can to better,” said Harris. “We were able to have a dialogue and talk about our safety concerns. We also talked about work arounds for our tasks while keeping the shipyard work in mind.” Harris also explained that completing the job safely, by all hands including shipyard personnel, is everyone’s responsibility. “My favorite part was during the dialogue, to talk with different ranks and rates, to see their safety concerns and to learn things we can do as a whole to make it better for the Sailors aboard the ship and of course the shipyard workers to get the job done and the ship out to sea. Nunn said that initial reactions to the workshop exceeded the feedback that he received. “Everyone saw the value of it, while it was progressing and after it was done. We
“I went because I wanted to talk about the safety of the ship and wanted to see the perspective of other people and what we can to better. We were able to have a dialogue and talk about our safety concerns. Kiara Harris
don’t sit around and talk enough as a unit so it was really important to hold this workshop and I’m thrilled that we got it done.” Gerald R. Ford is a first-in-class aircraft carrier and the first new aircraft carrier designed in more than 40 years. Ford is currently undergoing its post-shakedown availability at Huntington Ingalls Industries-Newport News Shipbuilding.
ring or have recently reported to shore duty to allow sufficient time for completion of a graduate program.
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GEV applicants select an accredited educational institution recognized by the Department of Education, choose a graduate degree program, and choose a specific course of study meeting their community’s subspecialty requirements.
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Update your email in MyNavy Education to alert you to notifications about the most up-to-date information on GEV program announcements, eligibility and application deadlines, as well as other educational messages tailored to you. Find links to information for the FY-20 GEV program and other graduate education opportunities on MyNavy Portal under Career & Life Events > Training, Education, Qualifications > Education > Graduate Education and Fellowship Programs at https:// www.mnp.navy.mil/group/training-education-qualifications/e-graduate-educationand-fellowship-programs. TheGEVprogramismanagedbytheNaval Education and Training Command (NETC)
U.S. Navy graphic
as part of Force Development, ensuring Sailors are equipped with the specific skills they need to do their jobs and have access to educational opportunities to enhance their careers. NETC recruits and trains those who serve the nation, taking them from “street to fleet” by transforming civilians into highly skilled, operational and combat-ready warfighters, while providing the tools and opportunities for continuous learning and development.