INDIAN HEAD, Md. –
The Leadership Southern Maryland (LSM) class of 2022 recently participated in Defense Day in Indian Head, Maryland, with the help of a number of alumni from NSWC Indian Head Division. In fact, the session — the third of nine educational sessions in the 2021-2022 LSM Executive Program for Defense and Industry — was led by NSWC IHD Corporate Communications Division Director Becky D’Ambrosio, an LSM alumnus from the class of 2017. The leadership program, an outgrowth of Leadership Maryland, now boasts over 400 alumni since the inaugural class in 2009.
“As an alumnus of the LSM program, it brings me great pride to host Defense Day and show off the unique mission and the personnel of NSWC IHD,” D’Ambrosio said. “For many of these community leaders, this is not only their first time hearing about the command, but also their first visit to the Town of Indian Head. They are always surprised to see and hear about the command’s capabilities and the impact we have on national security.”
At the Indian Head Village Green Pavilion, Town of Indian Head Mayor Brandon Paulin kicked off the session with a welcome and shared details of the town’s revitalization efforts.
The class received an overview of base operations from host command Naval Support Activity South Potomac as well as a command brief from LSM Executive Program 2021 graduate and NSWC Indian Head Division Acting Chief of Staff Darrin Krivitsky. The class then delved into public-private partnerships, Naval Ordnance Safety and Security Activity’s role in the region, and the ways organizations like The Patuxent Partnership and Military Alliance Council work with the community and military to build mutually beneficial partnerships. U.S. Marines and Sailors from the Chemical Biological Incident Response Force rounded out the morning with a demonstration.
The afternoon began onboard Naval Support Facility Indian Head with a search and rescue (SAR) exercise by a Naval Air Station Patuxent River SAR team. Class members watched an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) robotics demonstration and learned about explosive detection equipment and cartridge- and propellant-actuated devices. They also got an inside look at what goes on in the Chemical, Biological, Radiological Defense (CBR-D) Division. NSWC IHD Director of Infrastructure John Hungerford, an LSM class of 2018 alumnus, led a windshield tour around the base for the class as well.
The class wrapped up the day with a networking event hosted by the LSM Alumni Association at The Green Turtle in La Plata, Maryland. Class participants gathered and reflected on the day’s experiences and how the defense and supporting industries in Indian Head critically impact the Southern Maryland region.
“As an alumnus, the LSM program continues to educate me on local opportunities to collaborate and improve our community,” said Janet Virgin, NSWC IHD Protocol Officer and LSM class of 2020 graduate. “It was a privilege to interact with the current LSM class during Defense Day.”