By Renee Hatcher
NAWCWD Public Affairs

Twenty-one NAWCWD employees recently completed the requirements for the Engineer and Scientist Development Program (ESDP). Twelve of the graduates attended a ceremony held April 9 at China Lake.

“I urge you to continue to improve yourself, stay relevant and never stop learning,” said NAWCWD Executive Director Scott O’Neil, who recognized each of the graduates in attendance.

Three of the graduates were from NAWCWD Point Mugu; they were Brandon Wahl, Gary Wu and Dario Esqueda. The China Lake graduates were An Vinh, Benjamin Call, Damon Green, Elizabeth Wade, Felipe Jauregui, Gary Wu, Gerald, Gutierrez, Gerardo Gamboa, Iris Brambila, James Denney, Jason Redmond, Kevin Ford, Kevin Tajii, Kyle Godett, Linh Jason Hoang, Lucy Hovakimyan, Scott Sparrow, Travis Gilbert and Will Logan.

“The program allowed me to explore the different parts of the Weapons Division at both Point Mugu and China Lake,” said Esqueda, who works in the Aerial Target Systems Division. “That’s a big advantage of the program because it gives new hires a better understanding of our mission.”

O’Neil asked the graduates what advice they had for him. Several of the ESDPs made a consistent request - keep bringing interesting and challenging work to the Weapons Division. One recognized the importance of the can-do spirit at the Weapons Division and urged O’Neil to maintain that culture.

“Try to enjoy everyday as much as you can, and focus on the positive,” was Esqueda’s advice to O’Neil.

ESDP is generally a three- to five-year program consisting of three developmental events and associated requirements. The events are tours, training, and a progressive increase in the scope and responsibility of work assignments. During the first 12 to 18 months, at least three tours of about three months each are required.

“Touring as an ESDP is definitely a benefit because it gives you knowledge of the different areas within the Weapons Division,” said Scott Sparrow, a mechanical engineer. “The main reason I came to China Lake was because I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do. This program gave me the opportunity to tour through different divisions, which helped me find my niche.”

Education was another area of interest.

“I’m working on a graduate degree so my work as an ESDP went hand-in-hand with that,” said Kevin Tajii, an electronic engineer currently working in IBAR. “I advised Scott O’Neil to maintain those opportunities for anyone interested in pursuing higher education while working here.”

O’Neil welcomed all of the advice from the graduates and offered a few parting words of wisdom.

“We do have a lot of interesting work at Weapons Division, and we are getting more and more here. But, you can still expect to face a lot of bureaucratic and political frustrations,” O’Neil cautioned the graduates. “Stay grounded technically and don’t get in such a hurry to climb the ladder.”

PHOTO CUTLINE

Photo by Dan O’Connor
NAWCWD Executive Director Scott O’Neil joins the Engineer and Scientist Development Program graduates who were present for a graduation ceremony on April 9. Pictured from in the front from left are Scott Sparrow, Kevin Tajii, Iris, Brambila, Kyle Godett, Travis Gilbert and Felipe Jauregui. In the back row from left are Dario Esqueda, Gerardo Gamboa, Brandon Wahl, Damon Green, Will Logan, Linh, Jason Hoang and O’Neil.