By Renee Hatcher
NAWCWD Public Affairs

According to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the length of service for a typical federal civilian employee today is about 15 years. Ron Backman, NAWCWD’s network security officer, is not your typical government worker. With 45 years of federal service, he is fourth on the list of civilians currently serving at China Lake in terms of time.

“This is quite an achievement,” said Capt. Mark Storch, acting NAWCWD commander. “In your role as one of our seasoned, experienced employees, you inspire people and are a leadership example. You have my personal thanks for that.”

Backman first came to China Lake in 1964 as an engineering student in the University of California – Berkeley co-op program. He completed two, six-month tours with Environmental Testing, known then as Code 55.

Following graduation in 1967, Backman didn’t have any real plans so he hopped on his Honda 90, drove back to China Lake, went right to Michelson Lab, and found Ed Donahue, who he worked for as a co-op student. Donahue immediately offered Backman a job, and he’s been working at China Lake ever since in the computer science or systems engineering fields.

“This is the finest military lab in the world,” he said. “When people complain to me about problems like lack of funding or ridiculous deadlines, I remind them of where we work and our China Lake heritage. We are a world-class organization and we need to remember that.”

Backman said his most significant workplace accomplishment didn’t have anything to do with engineering.

“It was only a six-sentence suggestion but I’m quite proud of it,” he said.

In the ‘80s, Backman submitted a handwritten beneficial suggestion on the back of the base phone book that developed into the Federal Credit Card Program.

“I thought, when you buy small things (under $2,500), you shouldn’t have to go through a nine-part stub like you are buying an airplane,” Backman said. His suggestion was researched and matured into the current credit card buying system. “We saved nearly $2 million the first year in admin costs alone.”

In the early ‘70s, Backman changed life aboard USS Kitty Hawk for its Sailors by developing an information management system. He took their manual process and completely automated it.

“I got my sea legs by spending nine months on the Kitty Hawk,” he said. “It was then that I began to appreciate their world, and realized that everything we do here is for the warfighter.”

Since graduating from college, Backman has only spent one year away from China Lake. That was to teach school in Africa at the request of his uncle, a missionary in Liberia at the time. While in Africa, Backman had a bout with malaria but said his whole attitude shifted during his time there.

“I realized then that it’s not necessarily what product we provide for the nation or even the Navy,” he said, “it’s more about what do we do for the guy next door, the local mission. I can’t solve the problems of the world but I can help take care of those within arms-reach.”

In his time at China Lake, Backman has noticed a change in the work force.

“It’s more bureaucratic than we used to be, and there are more rules,” he said. “The independent thinkers are stifled, and I don’t see as much risk-taking now.”

Backman advises those just entering the work force to “find an organization where the people are willing to take a chance on you, support your passion, and defend you against the bureaucracy.”

His plans are to retire within a year. “I think I’ve done my term with the government,” he said, “I’m not going to stop working; I’m just going to do something else.”

That something else may be in either education or business, or as a consultant.

“My body may be old but my mind is still going 100 mph,” he said.

At 64, Backman, who has scaled Mt. Whitney three times, has traded hiking and motorcycle riding for gardening and playing the keyboard in his church choir. He and his wife Sharon, who retired from China Lake after 28 years, are preparing for their first grandchild in October.

"Passion is the key to Motivation" is written on the whiteboard outside of Backman’s office. “This is a quote I have lived by,” Backman said, “and it summarizes why I worked here for 45 years.”

PHOTO CUTLINE

Photo by John Bennett
Capt. Mark Storch, NAWCWD commander, presents Ron Backman a Career Service Award from Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus on Oct. 1 recognizing his 45 years of faithful service to the Navy and the U.S. government.