Submitted by TEAM Public Affairs, Patuxent River

"Guest Eater" at the Weapons Division's Engineer & Scientist Development Program (ESDP) breakfast Aug. 24 was NAVAIR Commander Vice Adm. Joe Dyer. Breakfasts and luncheons are generally held each working Friday to give program participants, also known as ESDPs, a chance to socialize with one another, catch up on current events, and meet with Guest Eaters. This breakfast was held at the Carriage Inn in Ridgecrest, Calif., outside the China Lake site, with 45 ESDPs from Point Mugu and China Lake attending.

ESDPs are positions for scientists and engineers that provide rotation and training for permanent positions within the government. Since most come directly from college, this first year is an opportunity to apply technical knowledge firsthand. ESDPs also learn about the organization and the work done at NAVAIR's Weapons Division.

Dyer addressed the group for more than 30 minutes, asking and answering several ESDP questions, going over naval aviation's past, present and future and speaking of the importance of teaming. He said each one of the ESDPs should take the opportunity to experience as much of NAVAIR (the diverse sites) as possible; if not during their ESDP tours, then during their careers. The admiral pointed out the importance of the program, the participants and the eventual impact of their work at NAVAIR. As Point Mugu and China Lake have commenced inter-site ESDP rotational assignments, he added that he was looking forward to additional rotations between the ESDP programs at the various NAVAIR sites.

In addition to Dyer, WD Commander Rear Adm. Bert Johnston, executive director Dr. Karen Higgins, and a host of senior leaders were on hand to meet and greet the ESDPs. Higgins said Dyer engaged the ESDPs, learning where they were from, their major fields of interest and listening to their perspectives. She described the atmosphere as animated and energetic.

While seven ESDPs hired in 1997 have "graduated," another 76 (from 1998 to 2000) are currently involved in the program at the Weapons Division. ESDP Program Coordinator Gill Cornell says they expect to hire about 68 ESDPs in FY 01.