PATUXENT RIVER NAVAL AIR STATION, MD—Students from Leonard Hall Junior Naval Academy visited NAVAIR headquarters recently to renew their partnership with the Program Executive Office for Tactical Aircraft Programs, ushering in the fifth year of this Navy education partnership.

On hand to greet the students at the Oct. 11 kick-off ceremony was Rear Adm. James Godwin, program executive officer for Tactical Aircraft Programs.

“Our aim in our partnership with your school is to play a role in instilling in you our values, character traits and beliefs that we hold so important,” Godwin told the students. “It is these traits that make us stand out as leaders.”

As part of PEO(T)’s partnership activities, Godwin explained that NAVAIR volunteers visit the school monthly to offer character development lectures on the school’s honor code, addressing such traits as honesty, dependability and respect.

“What I know you will be observing in the people you meet from PEO(T) is leadership,” said Godwin. He added that effective leaders define and embrace a set of unshakable principles to guide them in the way they lead.

“I offer you today three such principles – honor, courage and commitment,” Godwin said. “For those of you who will go on to join one of the services, these words will become quite familiar. They are the Navy’s core values.”

Explaining why the Navy’s core values are so important, Godwin said, “These are principles worth holding on to. These are values worth putting into action.”

Also speaking at the partnership renewal ceremony was Suzanne Youngson, headmaster of Leonard Hall Junior Naval Academy.

“As I have stated many times before, this partnership is a perfect match,” Youngson said. “We teach military bearing and beliefs as well as positive character traits on a daily basis, and it is so awesome to see you come in time and time again and emphasize what we preach to the midshipmen.”

In addition to offering monthly character lectures, Youngson explained that PEO(T) volunteers provide bi-weekly tutoring, serve on the school’s promotions board, sponsor uniform drives, conduct inspections, host drill competitions and help with the school’s computer lab.
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AECS Robert Dixon of PMA-241 passes out decals and program literature to students from Leonard Hall Junior Naval Academy during the partnership renewal ceremony at NAVAIR’s Moffett Building. Looking on are LHJNA Midshipmen Richard Marquardt (foreground) and Colin Meara.
Photo by Norine Rowe