WD graduates largest group of ESDPs

Rear Adm. Mat Winter, NAWCWD commander, and Scott O'Neil, acting deputy commander for NAVAIR, celebrate with 25 of the 35 Engineer and Scientist Development Program graduates during a ceremony Oct. 7 at China Lake. Photo by Dan O'Connor.

Date: 08-Oct-10
News Release Number: ECL201010081

Thirty-five NAWCWD Point Mugu and China Lake employees recently completed the requirements for the Engineer and Scientist Development Program (ESDP) and were recognized during a graduation ceremony Oct. 7 at China Lake.

"This is a really important milestone," said Scott O'Neil, acting deputy commander for NAVAIR. "It's a strong indicator that you've reached the journeyman level in your field. I encourage you to continue to learn and to stay technical for awhile. Don't be in a hurry to move into management."

This was the largest group ever to graduate from the program.

"These graduates have made the choice to complete the requirements of the program and have shown significant commitment in their accomplishments," said Dennis Linck, head of the Combat Environment and Simulation Projects Branch and China Lake ESDP site technical coordinator. "I also want to thank the managers for the mentoring and guidance they have provided these employees."

ESDP graduation requirements include completing a minimum of three rotational assignments, level 2 DAWIA certification, more than 300 hours of training, and demonstrated performance at the journeyman level. Several mandatory training classes on various topics such as risk communication, Navy financial management and presentation skills must also be completed.

The graduates represented six NAWCWD departments – Systems Engineering, Avionics, Weapons and Energetics, Research and Intelligence, Range, and Design Interface and Maintenance Planning.

The graduates were Amber Daniels, Chad Waltz, Chris Sibrel, Christopher Robinson, David Edlin, Deric Mason, Douglas Davis, Elissa Carey, Elizabeth Leung, Erica Beeler, Ernest Leung, Gatwech Thich, Heath Workman, Jacey Morine, James O'Brien, Jason Parker, Jill McConaghy, John Koch, Jon Meikle, Jonathan Surmi, Kristy Visconti, L. Craig Unrein, Michael Baehl, Nathaniel Shelton, Nicholas Garcia, Paul Ziegler, Peter Cross, Phillip Land, Quin Lucas, Robert J. Landis, Ryan Carpenter, Ryan Hunter, Shannon Phillips, Stanley Loughmiller and Timothy Brothers.

"I think you all should have a 25-year plan for your career but you need to remember that the plan isn't as important as the thinking process to get to that plan," O'Neil said. "You need to think about and understand what's important to you and what means the most to you. If you're happy in your career then you'll be very good employees and a happier person."

Rear Adm. Mat Winter, NAWCWD commander, and O'Neil handed out the graduation plaques. Gary Graton, head of the Software Engineering Branch and the Point Mugu ESDP site technical coordinator read the names of the graduates.

"It's important to understand what your accomplishments contribute to our strategic mission, vision and goals that we are pursuing as a command," Winter said. "It's absolutely essential that you, who are coming up with the innovative solutions of tomorrow, understand who we are working for and why we do what we do. It's important that you feel a galvanized connection to the warfighter."

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