PANAMA CITY, Fla. –
Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD) gathered to highlight the outstanding work and people committed to delivering technologies, solutions, and support to the U.S. Navy during their Fiscal Year 2022 Annual Awards Ceremony held at Gulf Coast State College, March 24.
Also known as the Commanding Officer and Technical Director Awards, this event celebrates individual and team accomplishments ranging from 14 categories to include awards for new employee and career achievement, outstanding fleet support, as well as, a hall of fame inductee. The command also recognizes patents acquired and each patentee at this ceremony each year.
“I’m a big advocate for employee recognition because what you do matters,” Capt. David Back, NSWC PCD commanding officer, said to the crowd. “It matters to this Navy Lab, it matters to our people and it matters to the warfighter…continue to blaze a trail…and bring others along with you. When you do, know that you are delivering these capabilities to our warfighters…our nation's sailors and marines.”
For these awards, the command received 76 nominations for teams and individuals across 14 award categories. The nomination period lasts six weeks and allows any of its civilian or military personnel to nominate one another for fiscal year contributions with chain of command approval. Winning the Outstanding Organizational Support Award was the Navy Lab’s Equal Employment Opportunity, Diversity & Inclusion Office (ED&I).
“It was an honor to hear that our team was selected for this award. As a fairly new government employee, I am overwhelmed with gratitude to be a part of this awesome team who shares the same passion in serving and supporting our NSWC PCD personnel,” said Lauren Sikes, NSWC PCD ED&I specialist.
This year, a total of 252 individuals were recognized and Dr. Peter Adair, NSWC PCD technical director, shared how the Navy Lab’s people, partnerships and collaborations contribute to the command’s enduring relevance.
“When we come to the table with our partners, sponsors, stakeholders, and community, it multiplies our ability to research, develop, test and evaluate products and solutions to provide for the warfighter. It strengthens relationships and fosters a culture of trust and good stewardship by demonstrating value to our customers and establishing an enduring reputation and relevance for our products, services, and support,” said Adair. “The collaboration, problem solving, innovation, and support…it all happens because of our workforce…you all are at the foundation for everything we achieve here at the Navy Lab.”