NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER WEAPONS DIVISION, CHINA LAKE, Calif. -  NAWCWD leadership recognized 32 graduates of the Engineer and Scientist Development Program (ESDP) during a ceremony March 27 at China Lake.

Scott O’Neil, NAWCWD executive director, kicked off the ceremony and encouraged the graduates to look to the future and think about what motivates them.

“Today is a very important milestone because it’s a symbol of you developing yourself technically, and becoming a journeyman in your career; that’s a big deal,” O’Neil said. “As you move through your career, I encourage you to establish yourself technically and to continue to renew yourself as the needs of the Navy change.”

O’Neil, who has worked at China Lake for more than 40 years, reminded the graduates about the importance of developing a plan for their careers and keeping that plan updated.

“You spend too much time in your career to just let it happen,” he said. “Think through your career and figure out what your goals are. Then, as opportunity unfolds in front of you, you can decide whether it’s going to help you achieve your career goals or not. And, you’ll be ready for whatever happens.”

ESDP graduate requirements include a minimum of three rotational assignments, more than 300 hours of training, and level two Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act certification.

O’Neil and Capt. Karl Andina, NAWCWD vice commander, presented plaques to the graduates, who represented nine departments across the command. The spring 2013 graduates were Brittany Barth, Roberto Bellido, Benjamin Blazek, Ansel Bodine, Vernon Brown, Alberto Castro-Leon, Rhoda Cutchon, Ryan Cranston, Joseph Douglas, Kurt Hall, Franklin Hamilton, Kyle Henry, Jordan Hess, Jonathan Hsieh, Matthew Jorgensen, Brian Kajiwara, Daniel Kaseforth, Krista Katayama, Eldon Kendrick, Matthew Malone, Eric Otto, Norlan Palacios, Patricio Pino, Omar Ramos, Vishal Rawate, James Roeder, Chris Scheuber, Tiffany Souppa, Matthew Starr, Kari Strube, Nam Tran and Ty Walsh.

“On behalf of the warfighters training and fighting in every domain and every service, I thank you,” Andina said. “Not just for today and the experiences you’ve amassed during this program, but for what you will do with that. For the systems you will improve, for the weapons you will design, for the capabilities and the effects you will bring to the fight, and also for the next generation that you will lead into the future.”