DAHLGREN, Va. –
The words “we rise by lifting others,” once stated by Robert Ingersoll, resonate with the workforce at Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD). These military, government and contract employees provide the motivation, commitment and perseverance to best support the mission and warfighter.
The Department of the Navy awarded seven government team members from various departments at Dahlgren with the Navy Civilian Service Achievement Medal (CSAM) to recognize their dedication, contributions and accomplishments. The CSAM selects civilian personnel from across the Navy and Marine Corps who demonstrate high-level performance as well as specific outstanding professional achievements.
For nominee Christopher Brown, serving as a cybersecurity specialist from October 2018 to June 2021 for the Tactical Tomahawk Weapons Control System provided the opportunity to lead the effort and work with a dedicated team. His CSAM selection highlighted his awareness to supply chain risk and delivery of critical, timely information in support of a hardware analysis of alternatives. According to the medal citation, “Brown reflected credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the U.S. naval service.”
Dylan Fones received recognition for his work and leadership in coordinating efforts with his team to facilitate software development, testing and data analysis beyond program expectations. As the team group lead, Fones displayed superior performance while supporting the Littoral Combat Ship Surface Warfare Mission Package Command and Control Software/Missile Engagement Processor Systems Integration at Dahlgren from October 2019 to May 2021. During a maximum telework environment, Fones and his team delivered, installed, configured and tested numerous software versions for land-based test sites and ships, leading to a significant increase of Littoral Combat Ship readiness.
The CSAM selected Senior Systems Engineer Robert “Tony” Hill for his innovation and technical expertise in addition to his achievements and work with missile modeling, spanning from May 2019 to July 2021. Hill supported the Strategic Weapon System program and accredited for “influencing the technical direction” and “coordinating and leading the successful development and deployment of future payload and missile systems,” according to the medal citation. Hill also led the technical efforts for the Threat Mitigation and Analysis Program, contributing his knowledge and skillset to the development of protection capabilities for future strategic weapon systems.
“Lackinger’s outstanding efforts increased NSWCDD’s role and influence within the science and technology community,” stated the CSAM citation regarding Kyle Lackinger. As the director of collaborative innovation for the Chief of Technology Office, Lackinger led efforts to establish and expand relationships between NSWCDD and defense and nondefense partners, industry, academic institutions and local community organizations. Through strategic and diligent collaborative efforts, Lackinger expanded opportunities for advanced cutting-edge research and technology transition processes as well as supporting impactful development of current and future capabilities for the warfighter.
Scientist Ruth Long received the CSAM for her leadership and technical expertise in developing new re-entry system for the Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) weapons system from June 2015 to August 2021. Long’s contributions to the SLBM program efforts led to the development of groundbreaking tools which increased system efficiency for target allocation generation, enabled agent-based modeling and improved performance studies and analysis for the user. “As a model practicing technical rigor and efficient product delivery, Long’s expertise, innovation and insight set her above her peers,” the CSAM stated.
While serving as a computer scientist for the Tactical Tomahawk Weapons Control Systems program, Tim McClelland led software assurance awareness efforts, becoming the software awareness lead from April 2019 to July 2021. The CSAM citation reads in part, “Above expectations, McClelland provided a planned and sustained approach to software assurance by expertly guiding the Tomahawk Weapon System Program in selecting software analysis software, tools and techniques.” Department senior leadership nominated McClelland for the CSAM due to his technical knowledge, dedication to supporting the warfighter and contributions to the Tactical Tomahawk Weapons Control System program.
Recognizing exemplary performance and expertise, the CSAM selected Inventory Accuracy Officer Revonna Waring for her “perseverance, dedication to duty and remarkable attention to detail.” Serving in this role from March 2002 to June 2021, Waring ensured ordnance inventory and tracking maintained accurate status during repeated explosives safety inspections. She also oversaw the safe removal of over 100 million pounds of range residue. “Waring’s notable efforts reflect honor on herself, NSWCDD and the Navy.”