NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — NAVAIR developmental program participants, based at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, embarked aboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) to experience four “days in the life” of a Sailor, March 26.

Twelve interns from four developmental programs — the Naval Acquisition Developmental Program, Engineer and Scientist Development Program, Journey Leadership Development Program and NAVAIR Leadership Development Program — lived and dined aboard the ship in this new pilot “Civilians to Sea” program. The interns toured the aircraft carrier, met the Sailors and commanding officers, learned about current AIRSpeed projects to reduce cycle time and cost, and brainstormed ways as civilians to better serve the needs of the fleet.

“Connecting our employees to the fleet is an important developmental initiative,” said ESDP Manager Stephanie Gleason. “We look forward to affording more employees a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to better understand our Navy’s mission, see firsthand how NAVAIR supports national defense and learn how their role influences mission capability while deployed. They now have a better understanding of why they go to work every day and can tie what they are doing to the warfighter and motivate their teams.”

Specifically, the tour included the 19 Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Departments (AIMD), the majority of the supply and engineering divisions and the Sailors’ wardrooms, mess hall and living quarters.

Participants said they learned a lot about the bigger Navy picture and their role in it.

“My experience on the USS George W. Bush was definitely an unforgettable one,” said Sara Gravatt. “I learned a great deal of information about avionics, supply support and engineering that will allow me to better serve the U.S. Navy as a logistician. Not only was this a learning opportunity but a chance to see into the lives of our Sailors and what they go through while on the ship.”

Mallory Smith stressed the importance of teamwork across the Navy and NAVAIR.

“Each department of the ship’s company, from supply to engineering to AIMD and others, plays a vital role in the ecosystem of the aircraft carrier. Remove any one team, and the mission would fail,” she said. “The hard work, coordination and passion put into each task is unlike anything I’ve ever seen.”

Participants also said they were impressed by the Sailors’ living conditions.

“So frequently do we forget that our ‘true’ customers are those men and women serving our country; we need to understand their lives so that we can do our part to make their work more efficient, safer and less burdensome,” said Nicole Gall. “Staying a couple of days onboard was an enlightening experience.”

One of the world’s largest warships, USS Bush is the Navy’s 10th and final Nimitz-class supercarrier and was commissioned in 2009. The Civilians to Sea program will host approximately four annual trips aboard a U.S. Navy vessel for NAVAIR employees nationwide.

NAVAIR’s employee developmental programs include in-depth leadership and communication skills training and ongoing mentoring to ensure employees’ talents are enhanced to strengthen organizational performance and their skills remain relevant to best support the command’s mission. Learn more about NAVAIR’s career development programs.