DAHLGREN, Va. –
Colin Powell once said, “There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure.” It is a perfect representation of Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division’s (NSWCDD) five recipients of the Navy Civilian Service Achievement Medal (CSAM).
The Department of the Navy (DoN) awarded five NSWCDD team members honoring their hard work, dedication and professional accomplishments. The CSAM is a prestigious Navy civilian award given to recipients who embody a sustained working performance or professional achievements. It is comparable to the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal that is awarded to military personnel.
Dustin Crayton, a NSWCDD weapons control system engineer, received recognition for his exemplary leadership in the development and integration of new weapon capabilities to the warfighter. He was the project lead for the stand-off precision guided munition development, at NSWCDD from March 2021 to July 2022. Crayton brought several new technologies to the Battle Management System (BMS) portfolio to increase its influence to new customers, provide updated capabilities to the existing platforms and bring additional funding of about $12 million in the next three years. Crayton also led the development of new technologies to the precision strike community, turning those technologies into deployable capabilities to warfighter within a year.
As for recipient Stanley Fissel, a computer scientist, from the Weapons Control and Integration Department, was recognized for his superior performance as the deputy program manager for the Naval Expeditionary Forensics at NSWCDD from October 2018 to June 2022. “His contribution has implications across the U.S. Navy, the DoN and his leadership, technical expertise, and personal example are to be commended,” as stated in the CSAM citation. Fissel also led the expansion of forensic data throughout the operational and intelligence communities, providing a synchronized common operating picture of forensic data to establish NSWCDD as the center of expertise in the field. Fissel states,” It has been an honor receiving this award and obtaining the respect from leadership and my teammates has been rewarding.”
Scientist Jason Green received the CSAM for his superior performance as the software lead for the U.S. Special Operations Command’s BMS program at NSWCDD from April 2021 to June 2022. “His work designing, building, integrating and installing key software components for the BMS program were instrumental in the development and growth of the AC-130 aircraft,” stated the CSAM citation. Green’s work ensures that a legacy platform remains combat ready and relevant in future conflicts, greatly enhancing the U.S. Special Operations Command’s ability to improve the safety and security of our special operations troops.
The CSAM awardee, Joseph Janney, was nominated for the impact on the combat systems safety field during thirty non-consecutive years of service as a systems safety engineer at NSWCDD from April 1987 until June 2022. Janney’s contributions developed the methodology that drives todays combat system safety program, which can be applied across the Department of Defense in evaluating system trouble reports. Janney also aided the development of the detailed processes used to conduct safety tasks resulting in the Systems Safety Engineering Division Workforce Development Program, which is recognized as the preeminent system safety training program for the U.S. Navy. “His exceptional leadership, mentorship and dedication to combat systems safety over many years, as well as his professionalism, ingenuity and unwavering devotion to duty are indeed noteworthy” states the CSAM citation.
Recognized for her superior performance, Ellen Pittenger served as the team lead for the sample standards lab and as a project manager for the rapidly deployable laboratory at NSWCDD from October 2016 to September 2022. “Her exceptional leadership and management skills had a direct impact on the achievements of these labs through an accreditation, a successful audit, a national emergency designation to operate during a government shutdown, and focusing on her co-workers to drive a positive environment where the mission is the focus,” read the CSAM citation. Pittenger led the project through a successful first-time International Organization for Standardization 17025 accreditation with zero deficiencies noted and through a signature science audit with only minor findings.
The DoN and NSWCDD leadership bestow and commend these five Dahlgren employees for their hard work, success and accomplishments upon receiving the CSAM award.