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Home : Media : News
NEWS | Aug. 26, 2022

NSWC PCD deputy human resource director receives achievement medal

By Jeremy Roman, NSWC PCD Public Affairs Office

Through her use of partnering skills, field expertise and professionalism, Cindy Ratliff, then Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD) Human Resources (HR) deputy director, demonstrated a commitment to servant leadership and received the Department of the Navy Civilian Service Achievement Medal, July 8.

Ratliff personified service as she went above and beyond the scope of her primary position to implement solutions to further the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) mission. From May 2020 – 2022, she served as the Total Force Mission Area (TFMA) Business Planning Strategic Focus Area lead at NAVSEA Headquarters and explained how this experience impacted her.

“Receiving this medal was truly a humbling experience and I am extremely honored to have worked with the amazing people on the TFMA team,” Ratliff said. “I also felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude specifically towards the individuals within NSWC PCD leadership who encouraged me to apply for the [TFMA] opportunity and, most importantly, supported me during the two-year rotation.”

Ratliff stated her motivation was the mission and the people she worked with and worked for every day. For her mentors, leaders, managers, supervisors and those she led, she wanted to ensure that she did not let anyone down at NSWC PCD or on the TFMA team.

“Cindy was very deserving recipient, a pleasure to work with, and should be held up as an example to others,” said Cindy Corbin, NAVSEA TFMA lead integrator. “She inspired everyone on the TFMA program with her enthusiasm, her can-do attitude, and her willingness to volunteer her valuable time and expertise. She helped to collaborate across organizational boundaries on projects that made a real difference in NAVSEA’s ability to make continuous improvements in human capital management and to better deliver capability to the fleet.”  

Ratliff’s impact did not stop there as she also led the Capability Health Assessment initiative which provided improved organizational planning capabilities to organizational business units across the enterprise. She also served as the Warfare Center Community of Interest lead for workforce development which helped foster an environment to increase knowledge sharing, improve efficacy and resolve challenges all the while still completing her regular responsibilities as NSWC PCD HR deputy director. Of her many achievements, Ratliff shared what brought her the most pride.

“I am most proud of the teams that I led here, specifically the Workforce Development and Policy, Planning and Analysis teams. Daily, these teams demonstrate flexibility, resilience and innovation in the execution of their mission,” said Ratliff. “The Workforce Development team is a group of highly talented and dedicated individuals who bring all they have to NSWC PCD by ensuring the workforce has the right knowledge and skills to deliver the mission. The Policy, Planning and Analysis team has just begun their journey. Their mission is to provide the data that informs senior leadership strategic decisions and be at the forefront of policy and program implementation that supports the NSWC PCD workforce. They are a new team who, individually, are super stars and together they are unstoppable.” 

Recently departed from NSWC PCD, Ratliff continues her service as the deputy director for Defense Logistics Agency Human Resources Services, Department of Defense customers, and continues to motivate.

“I encourage [you] to look for ways to contribute and ‘stretch yourself’ beyond what you see in front of you every day. Possibly consider a rotational assignment with a team looking for talented people who are willing to go the extra mile for the mission,” said Ratliff. “Make sure you are giving every day to your primary job and your passions at work. Find the fun stuff and keep giving your best effort.”