NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — NAVAIR’s future leaders learned about their place and influence in the world at a global perspectives seminar in Newport, Rhode Island, Aug. 22-26.

The class, part of the NAVAIR Leadership Development Program (NLDP), gave 22 employees the chance to learn about the role of global governments, geography, culture, economic trends and security challenges worldwide and continued their study of Emergenetics — patterns of thinking and behavior that emerge from genetics and life experiences.

Employees also heard from faculty at the Naval Postgraduate School’s Department of National Security Affairs and NAVAIR’s senior leaders, and participated in a book club and geocaching activity, during which they used GPS devices to find local sites, called “geocaches,” in Newport. They also toured and met with Sailors at the Surface Warfare Officers School and the Navy Supply Corps School.

 “The world is a dangerous and unstable place, and it is our job to provide a stabilizing force,” said NLDP participant Scott Pearce. “The U.S. cannot do this alone. I can use the knowledge gained in the global perspective seminar to inform my team in casual discussions of the role we play and to remind them from time to time that what we do is more than a job.”

As a division head overseeing supply support, NLDP participant Larry Pruitt said he will take the lessons learned on cyber threats and counterfeit parts and research how to combat them.

“It was enlightening to get the various perspectives from the visiting professors on the regions of the world and their economic and security concerns,” he said. “Having worked in foreign military sales for many years, I find the best way to understand another culture is to try to imagine things from their perspective.”

Employees delved into cyber issues, ethical leadership, the U.S. and Department of Defense’s national strategy, the global political economy and the importance of adapting communication skills to different audiences, among other topics.

Jenn Davis, NLDP participant, said the perspective on how the international climate influences the U.S. and the Navy’s mission was eye opening.

“The future will be extremely challenging for DoD, with continued shrinking budgets and increasing demands around the world,” she said. “We need to look for new ways of doing business and achieving mission success that are more efficient than traditional solutions.”

Revamped in 2013, the NLDP, the command’s flagship leadership program, serves to develop leadership, management and productivity skills for mid- to senior-grade employees over a period of three to five years. Learn more about NAVAIR’s career development opportunities.