NNSY News

Shipyard Spotlight: Paris Sessoms Jr. - Code 730 General Foreman
March 18, 2025 — With a family history of shipyard workers, a strong foundation in faith and numerous mentors, Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) General Foreman Paris Sessoms Jr. has proudly carried on his family’s legacy and now serves as a strong model and mentor for others... MORE

With a family history of shipyard workers, a strong foundation in faith and numerous mentors, Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) General Foreman Paris Sessoms Jr. has proudly carried on his family’s legacy and now serves as a strong model and mentor for others.

Forecasting Key to Successful Industry Day 2025
March 18, 2025 — Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) sponsored its 3rd Annual Industry Day Jan. 15. Industry Day gives NNSY and contractors the opportunity to engage and share future work scope requirements supporting the shipyard mission of on-time delivery of ships back to the Fleet... MORE

Norfolk Naval Shipyard sponsored its 3rd Annual Industry Day Jan. 15, 2025, with more than 50 companies participating. Industry Day gives NNSY and contractors the opportunity to engage and share future work scope requirements supporting the shipyard mission of on-time delivery of ships back to the Fleet.

Norfolk Naval Shipyard Trivia - The Defender
March 14, 2025 — Norfolk Naval Shipyard Trivia (NNSY) - March 2025 - talks about the Defender, the shipyard publication that would eventually evolve into what NNSY Service to the Fleet is today. ... MORE

Norfolk Naval Shipyard Trivia, March 2025, talks about the Defender, the shipyard publication that would eventually evolve into what Service to the Fleet is today.

The Heritage Hour: A Glance into the Vital History of Norfolk Naval Shipyard
March 14, 2025 — 2025 marks the 250th birthday of the United States Navy. In celebration and reflection of this most momentous milestone, we will be looking at how Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) has directly supported the U.S. Navy throughout the centuries. This time on Heritage Hour, we look back at the construction of Dry Dock 3 and see the work done over 100 years ago was completed with the technology of the time... MORE

This composite photograph from September 29, 1910 shows Norfolk Naval Shipyard looking east and southeast towards the Elizabeth River, providing a panoramic view of the extension of Dry Dock 3.

Norfolk Naval Shipyard's Michael Hudson Honored as One of the Department of Labor Apprentices of the Year for 2024
March 14, 2025 — Following in the footsteps of his sister as well as his best friend who had worked within the gates of Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY), Michael Hudson joined the Apprenticeship Program nearly five years ago, unsure of what career path would best fit him. He soon came to the decision to join up with the metal inspectors, though he knew little about the job and what it would entail. Through his apprenticeship, Hudson hit the ground running, learning from his instructors and fellow teammates, eventually graduating to journeyman in 2024 as one of the top students of the program. His hard work and dedication rang true within the shop, his supervisor nominating him for the Department of Labor (DOL) and Industry’s Division of Registered Apprenticeship Outstanding Apprentice of the Year – being selected as one of three from NNSY to win the title for 2024... MORE

Norfolk Naval Shipyard Metals Inspector Apprentice Luke Truitt and Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Metals Inspector Michael Hudson perform a NDT inspection on a shackle in the shop.

The Power of Carrots and Sticks: Understanding Behavioral Motivation
March 14, 2025 — Have you ever heard the metaphor, “carrots and sticks”? Dating back all the way to the mid-19th century, this idiom poses two different methods when it comes to behavioral motivation – with incentives stemming by either the “carrot” or the “stick.” And no, I don’t mean actual vegetables and twigs... MORE

From the Scout Oath to the Officer’s Oath: Cmdr. Brian Banazwski becomes Norfolk Naval Shipyard’s Business and Strategic Planning Officer
March 14, 2025 — Norfolk Naval Shipyard’s Business and Strategic Planning Officer Cmdr. Brian Banazwski says that becoming a Scouts of America Eagle Scout helped him prepare for a successful Navy career without realizing it at the time... MORE

Cmdr. Brian Banazwki recently became Norfolk Navy Shipyard’s Business and Strategic Planning Officer (Code 1200). The Business and Strategic Planning Office could be considered as the front office of the shipyard. Any business coming into or leaving the shipyard comes through Code 1200. It's the new work, availabilities and other things that the shipyard works on. Outside stakeholders and outside customers, everything goes through the business office, which gets planned through the rest of the shipyard, executed, and then leaves the shipyard as a final product.

Talking Shop: Celebrating NNSY’s Metal Forger Shop (Shop 11F)
March 14, 2025 — Metal forging is a craft that began between 4,000 – 7,000 B.C. and has been an integral part of human history since. The skill of shaping metal through hammering, heating, and cooling has been used over the centuries to create tools, weapons and intricate works of art. Blacksmiths have played a vital role in shaping civilization, just like the Metal Forging Shop, Shop 11F, consisting of eight metal forgers, has a role to play in supporting Norfolk Naval Shipyard’s (NNSY) mission of repairing, modernizing and inactivating the Navy’s warships and training platforms... MORE

Norfolk Naval Shipyard Metal Forging Shop (Shop 11F) Metal Forger Ian McHorney started his shipyard career in the Shipfitter Shop (Shop 11) approximately 10 years ago. It wasn’t until eight years later that he became a metal forger. “I have always been fascinated with forging. When I had the opportunity to work in Shop 11F, I jumped all over it,” said McHorney. “The job requests are always changing from making a tool one day to inspecting an anchor chain the next. This is what makes the job fun.”

Norfolk Naval Shipyard Contracting Personnel Complete Contracts Management & Practical Acquisitions Skills Workshop
March 14, 2025 — Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) Contracting Department (Code 400) executes approximately 1,400 contracts each year. To ensure that all Code 400 personnel are familiar with and adhere to various policies, rules and regulations, Code 400 recently held its inaugural Contracts Management & Practical Acquisitions Skills (CMPAS) Workshop (pronounced “compass”) for nine new personnel... MORE

Norfolk Naval Shipyard Contracting Department Business Operation Division Head Donyette Rodgers (left) presents the Contracts Management & Practical Acquisition Skills (CMPAS) Workshop completion certificate to Contract Specialist Chaunsa Saunders. Saunders was one of nine to attend the inaugural 13-week program, which consisted of over 100 hours of academic instruction and 50 hours of hands-on training through mock procurements.