CRANE, Ind. – Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) recruiter John Bings received the Department of the Navy (DON) Human Resources (HR) and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Community Support Award for Excellence for his work recruiting skilled scientists, engineers, and mathematicians. The award recognizes outstanding contributions made by individuals not assigned to an HR or EEO job series.
“It’s an honor to receive this award,” said Bings, a 30-year Crane employee. “At times recruiting can feel like a thankless job, so it is nice to know my efforts are appreciated.”
Bings’ efforts include participating in more than 2,000 interviews, starting a “Nerd Social” for new STEM hires to meet and network in 2015, and co-leading NSWC Crane’s Corporate Hiring and Recruiting Team (CHART) from 2014 to 2017. In Bings’ tenure as a recruiter, he has always emphasized finding diverse, skilled candidates for positions, helping Crane consistently recruit well above the national averages for African American/Black entry-level scientist and engineer graduates and increase Hispanic, Asian, and female hiring since 2016.
“I grew up in El Paso, Texas, so diversity has been a part of my everyday life since youth,” said Bings. “I appreciate how people from different cultural or ethnic backgrounds can make each other stronger and better. I know helping Crane become more diverse will only help us continue to grow and fulfill our mission, and as an Asian American myself, I feel I have an important perspective to share.”
Bings emphasizes recruiting only the best candidates due to the critical nature of Crane’s work. He leverages national college and university resources to make sure he is reaching skilled candidates.
“Much of the technical work done at NSWC Crane is cutting-edge,” said Bings. “Recruiting great scientists and engineers to work here is crucial to completing our mission.”
Although Bings has been recruiting for the last 7 years, he came to NSWC Crane as an electrical engineer. He spent 18 years in Radiation Sciences. Bings said his time as an engineer helps him relate to the scientists and engineers he recruits, and his ability to talk shop can be a great advantage.
“Our Recruiting and Student Outreach Team could not be nearly as effective in recruiting highly skilled scientists, engineers, and mathematicians without John’s subject matter expertise,” said Lucinda Shirley, Human Resources Recruiting & Student Outreach Branch Manager. “His passion for recruiting, coupled with his knowledge of NSWC Crane’s technical work, make him a true asset and a force multiplier for Crane’s mission.”
Bings makes it a point to continue mentoring scientists and engineers after they have committed to NSWC Crane, spending time at his Nerd Socials and visiting as many onboardings, or new hire orientations, as he can. Bings said seeing employees he recruited doing well gives him a sense of pride.
“It gives me an immense amount of satisfaction and joy to see what I helped accomplish for Crane and the warfighter,” said Bings. “Each candidate who comes to work at Crane helps us meet our mission.”
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.