By Patricia Farris News Review Publisher – Rear Admiral Keith Hash’s message this year at the Economic Outlook Conference on February 23 addressed the need to retain employees at Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NACWD). He stated that for the last two years, we’ve not been able to hire to meet our increased attrition. We expected some of this increased attrition from senior civilian retirement.
However, we did not expect increased attrition from our younger employees who are not staying as long.
Some leave for better opportunities, and others because of the cost of living or other community factors. Internally, we know that we need to do a better job training our new supervisors to be great leaders. We also need to improve our workforce development opportunities to be sure our new employees have what they need to grow their careers here at NAWCWD.
That is a major focus of our new Strategic Plan. Also, we appreciate the community of Ridgecrest working to provide affordable housing and community support for the young professionals who come to work for NAWCWD. Your partnership is critical to retaining the talent we need to support the Navy and our nation.
Hash also spoke on the mission and capabilities provided through cutting-edge research at China Lake. He said, ”We deliver integrated and interoperable warfighting capabilities through cutting-edge research, development, acquisition, test, evaluation, and sustainment to provide the warfighter the decisive advantage.
The Weapons Division can execute its mission in both natural and virtual environments. The Weapons Divisions’ 6,000 civilian and military employees provide expertise in Weapons, Propulsion, Energetic Material, Aircraft System Integration, Electronic Warfare, Threat Target Systems, and Associated Research Development.” He reminded the community that the Navy payroll is greater than $600 million. “Our vision is to give warfighters the best to win today, tomorrow, and into the future.”
For the last two years, we’ve not been able to hire to meet our increased attrition. We expected some of this increased attrition from senior civilian retirement. However, we did not expect increased attrition from our younger employees who are not staying as long. Some leave for better opportunities, and others because of the cost of living or other community factors. Internally, we know that we need to do a better job training our new supervisors to be great leaders.
We also need to improve our workforce development opportunities to be sure our new employees have what they need to grow their careers here at NAWCWD. That is a major focus of our new Strategic Plan. Also, we appreciate the community of Ridgecrest working to provide affordable housing and community support for the young professionals who come to work for NAWCWD. Your partnership is critical to retaining the talent we need to support the Navy and our nation.
