NAVAL SURFACE WARFARE CENTER, PHILADELPHIA DIVISION –
The Technical Directors of Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division (NSWCPD) and Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Explosive Disposal Technology Division (NSWC IHEODTD) spent the week of Sept. 16-20 assuming each other’s roles.
NSWCPD’s Technical Director Thomas Perotti swapped places with NSWC IHEODTD’s Technical Director Ashley Johnson to learn more about each Command’s mission, leverage lessons learned, and identify new ways the two warfare centers could collaborate.
“It was a great experience. I’ve got a list of opportunities for us to be able to improve based on best practices at Indian Head,” Perotti said. “I also think I left them with similar opportunities to think about their challenges.”
During the week, each technical director participated in test site tours, attended briefs, and witnessed firsthand how the Commands support the warfighter. The technical director swap supports the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) One Team Warfare Center initiative to grow leadership and innovation through collaboration.
“It was a learning experience both ways. I think I was able to provide some perspectives coming in from a different type of Warfare Center, and I learned a lot,” Johnson said. “Now when Tom and I work together we will have more common ground, I’ve met his people and (as) I have an idea of what he is dealing with, we will be better partners at a higher level.”
Perotti and Johnson were both impressed by the complexity and scope of the work that the other command is responsible for and embraced the opportunity to learn how the other command achieves its mission.
While NSWCPD and NSWC IHEODTD are both Warfare Center Divisions within NAVSEA, and provide support to the fleet in different, though complimentary ways. NSWCPD’s mission is to provide naval machinery engineering, research and development, lifecycle support, and cybersecurity for all Hull, Mechanical, and Electrical systems across all ship classes. In contrast, NSWC IHEODTD’s mission is in support of energetics and energetic systems in addition to serving as the Department of Defense’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Program lead.
“I had several goals: First to learn what they do well, what our differences are, and how to leverage our differences to become better as One Team. The second was to share and mentor – to share some of our experiences, our successes and opportunities that have challenged us.
Third was to innovate new ways that we can collaborate in supporting the warfighter,” Perotti said.
Perotti hopes to work with NSWC IHEODTD on Cybersecure software, as well as facilities, and Johnson is interested in collaborating with NSWCPD to bolster their STEM outreach programs.
“As different as our missions are, I really confirmed that we can collaborate,” Johnson said. “It was a really great opportunity to get out of my comfort zone. It was my first formal swap, but it won’t be my last.”
Although the technical directors found many differences in their missions and challenges, both highlighted their respect for the workforce of the other command.
“It was an affirmation of no matter how different the missions of the two Warfare Divisions are, we share a similarity in the workforce,” Perotti said. “The workforce is unquestionably dedicated to the mission.”
NSWCPD employs approximately 2,600 civilian engineers, scientists, technicians, and support personnel doing research and development, test and evaluation, acquisition support, and in-service and logistics engineering for Navy ships. NSWCPD is also the lead organization providing cybersecurity for all ship systems.