DAHLGREN, Va. –
When Bob Nees first enlisted in the Navy in 1979, he didn’t realize he was kicking off a career that would span decades, cross industries and firmly establish him as a trusted expert in solving the seemingly unsolvable.
From his early days as an aviation fire control technician to his current role as an engineering manager of Surface Warfare Systems for Electromagnetic Environmental Effects Technical Warrant Holder, Nees’ story embodies resilience, curiosity and a drive to make things work.
“Failure was my greatest teacher,” Nees said, “because every failure gave me a chance to learn and adapt.”
The foundation built in the Navy
As a young Sailor, Nees quickly excelled in technical testing and diagnostics. Assigned to work on electronics for weapon systems on aircraft, including the iconic F-14 Tomcat, Nees gained technical skills as well as the highly disciplined, solution-oriented mindset that continues to define his career. After transitioning to Navy recruiting, Nees honed his communication and leadership skills. These, combined with his knack for technology, laid the foundation for his post-Navy career. When he retired in 1999, Nees embraced the opportunity to share his knowledge, becoming an electronics instructor at a junior college. But a love for solving technical challenges eventually led him to Microsoft, where he entered the world of commercial technology, including designing and testing keyboards and mice.
Nees’ experience in both civilian and military environments gave him a unique perspective on problem-solving. At Microsoft, he discovered the fundamental differences between commercial electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) standards and military-grade requirements. While the commercial sector focuses on cost efficiency and basic functionality, military systems are designed to withstand extreme environments and ensure mission-critical performance.
His ability to bridge these two worlds became instrumental when he transitioned to working with defense contractors and eventually found his true calling in EMC engineering for military systems at Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD).
The Navy’s go-to troubleshooter
Today, Nees is known as the “fixer of everything” in Navy circles. When other experts hit a wall, he’s called in to troubleshoot and solve. One of his most notable recent achievements was addressing a four-month-long issue with a compass system on the $2 billion USS John Basilone (DDG 122), an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer. The challenge stemmed from a relocated component that was causing electromagnetic interference, making the compass unreliable.
“The Navy was unable to accept delivery of the ship from the shipbuilder until this issue was resolved,” said Lee Fuglestad technical director of the Aegis Destroyer Program Office. “After three months of struggling to address this problem, the Arleigh Burke destroyer program office recognized that it was missing a crucial stakeholder and subject matter expert: Bob Nees.”
With little advanced notice, Nees agreed to travel to Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, to assist with deck plate troubleshooting efforts.
Through rigorous testing and diagnostics, Nees engineered a solution. His proposal – to modify the system's mounting to prevent electromagnetic energy from interfering with operations –resolved the problem and allowed the Navy to commission the destroyer.
“As a direct result of Bob’s efforts, the compass was successfully operated on Basilone during a one-day sea trial on June 28, 2024,” said Fuglestad.
The Navy officially took delivery of Basilone 11 days later, on July 8, 2024.
“I’m incredibly proud of that,” said Nees. “Out of everything I’ve done since 1979, fixing that compass ranks among the top achievements. It’s gratifying to know you played a role in something so critical.”
Nees’ contributions accelerated the Navy’s force generation efforts and earned him the Navy Civilian Service Commendation Medal.
The mentor and teacher
Despite decades of hands-on experience, Nees is quick to credit his teaching philosophy for deepening his expertise. “The more I teach, the more I learn,” he said. “To explain something to someone, I have to understand it fully, often through multiple lenses. That makes me better at what I do.”
Nees is also committed to forming the next generation of EMC subject matter experts. With a skill set that combines physics, engineering and real-world problem-solving, he’s working to train engineers capable of troubleshooting and tackling large-scale compatibility challenges.
“Curiosity is key,” he said. “I can teach the technical skills, but I need people who obsess over understanding the ‘why.’ Those are the ones who thrive in this field.”
A legacy of turning challenges into solutions
For Nees, it’s about serving a larger mission.
“When I work on systems for the Navy, it’s personal,” he said. “I wore that uniform. I was in those shoes. Sailors depend on this equipment to work under the most extreme circumstances. If I can make their job easier or safer, that’s all the motivation I need.”
A self-described fixer with “a toolkit always ready to go,” Nees continues to take on some of the Navy’s most complex challenges. Whether he’s working with electromagnetic testing labs or hanging from a mast on a cold January night troubleshooting a malfunctioning component, he remains steadfast.
“In the end, failure is just another step toward a solution,” said Nees, summing up his philosophy. “Every time you fail, you narrow the possibilities until you find the answer. That’s what drives me every day.”
The mission continues. And as long as there are systems to fix and challenges to solve, Nees will remain an essential troubleshooter, armed with knowledge, experience and the determination to make things work.