DAHLGREN, Va. –
Like a well-oiled cog part of a larger machine, the Command Review and Investigations Office (CR&I) at Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) performs core functions with the highest degree of professionalism, efficiency and dedication in support of the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Inspector General (IG) Enterprise.
In recognition of the office’s outstanding service and impactful contributions to NAVSEA and NSWCDD commands, the CR&I team received the fiscal 2021 NAVSEA IG’s CR&I Spotlight Award Small Office of the Year.
The NAVSEA IG CR&I Awards present two awards to CR&I offices in the large office and small office categories, as well as one individual recipient. Candidates from across NAVSEA’s ten warfare center divisions, four shipyards, four Supervisor of Shipbuildings, Regional Maintenance Centers and other NAVSEA Field Activities are selected for nomination.
“Given that there are multiple CR&I offices under NAVSEA IG, I was pleasantly surprised. It was completely unexpected,” said NSWCDD CR&I Director Robert Longworth. “We strive continuously to meet and uphold the standards and requirements set forth by the NAVSEA IG and the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency. As we move forward, we’ll focus on developing as a team in our knowledge and skills, as well as exploring ways where we can improve alignment with those standards.”
Longworth accepted the award presented by NAVSEA IG Carl J. Adams, Jr. on behalf of the NSWCDD CR&I Office during the NAVSEA IG Training Symposium held in Pensacola, Florida. Sept. 19. The annual week-long symposium provides the opportunity for naval IG professionals to engage in training development in IG core functions, policies and procedures.
Along with Longworth, Chief Inspector Dianna Jenkins, Navy Hotline Investigator David “DJ” Willis, Command Evaluator Stephen Saunders and Navy Hotline Investigator and Command Evaluator Yvonne Lewko, who has since retired, support the Dahlgren office and focus efforts in three core areas: investigations, inspections and tracking external audits.
Through investigations, the team concentrates on identifying and mitigating risks for waste of resources, fraud or abuse centered on alleged violations of law, regulations, rule or policy. When conducting inspections, the team routinely reviews command operations to ensure that a safe and secure environment is maintained for all warfare center employees. The office also serves in a liaison capacity with external agencies, such as the Naval Audit Service, the Department of Defense, NAVSEA IG and the U.S. Government Accountability Office to process audits.
According to the award citation, the CR&I Office received commendation for “the dedication, collective energy, strong pursuit of excellence and positive impact that has led to the team’s effective execution of all CR&I office functions at NSWCDD.”
“NSWCDD’s CR&I Office has a long standing history of being high performers and as we like to say ‘repeat offenders’, meaning they’ve received this award in the past either as individuals or as a whole office,” stated Adams. “The Department of the Navy and NAVSEA leadership acknowledge and appreciate the day-in and day-out dedication and work conducted by this office.”