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NEWS | June 8, 2023

NSWC Crane employee awarded across United States Navy for mentoring over 100 employees

By Emily Gray, NSWC Crane Corporate Communications

CRANE, Ind. – A Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) employee was awarded for her noteworthy contribution to the United States Navy. 

Maureen Sims-Strong was awarded the Navy Civilian Service Achievement Medal, which is the fifth highest Navy civilian award, due to her role as the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) Certification Manager (CCM). During her tenure as COR Certification Manager, Sims-Strong provided highly successful training and mentoring to over 100 CORs and Procuring Contracting Officers (PCOs), who were responsible for 200 service contracts. 

After receiving her award Sims-Strong stated, “Every day I strive to do my very best and I trust in the Lord for the rest. Crane has been so much more than a job or career. It is a place to come to that has diversity and caring people that are here to help you in every facet of your career and family life; it’s where people help and take care of each other.” 

Sims-Strong faced challenges due to her starting this position during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. In her nomination letter it states, “She encouraged the CORs and PCOs to stay connected in order to continue critical communications that would ensure proper oversight of the service contracts.” This led to a successful transition to a virtual work environment. She also worked with different Warfare Centers to create Community of Practice (COP) and from that developed the teaming arrangement which allows CCMs to share their schedules which in turn allows new CORs to be trained quickly and properly.  

Due to her hard work and encouragement through these trainings, Sims-Strong was able to share the best methods and practices that were used with Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Headquarters CCM. During the audit in May of 2022 it was noted that the NSWC Crane COR program will be a model for additional Warfare Centers due to the hard work Sims-Strong was able to perform. 

About NSWC Crane | NSWC Crane is a naval laboratory and a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) with mission areas in Expeditionary Warfare, Strategic Missions and Electronic Warfare. The warfare center is responsible for multi-domain, multi- spectral, full life cycle support of technologies and systems enhancing capability to today's Warfighter.  

Join Our Team! NAVSEA employs a diverse, highly trained, educated, and skilled workforce - from students and entry level employees to experienced professionals and individuals with disabilities. We support today's sophisticated Navy and Marine Corps ships, aircraft, weapon systems and computer systems. We are continuously looking for engineers, scientists, IT and cyber specialists, as well as trade and other support professionals to ensure the U.S. Navy can protect and defend America. Please contact NSWC Crane Human Resources at crane_recruiting@navy.mil.