NADEP welcomes new executive officer
By Daphne Burke, NADEP JAX, Public Affairs Specialist

Capt. David J. Beck, assumed the position of Executive Officer of Naval Air Depot, Jacksonville (NADEP JAX), Fla. following the Change of Command ceremony, Jan. 25, 2002. Beck, an Aspen, Colo. native, joined the Navy in 1978 after completing his bachelor’s in aviation management from Metropolitan State College in Denver. He was commissioned in January 1979. After completion of Aviation Maintenance Officers’ School in Tennessee, Beck reported to USS Midway (CV 41) homeported in Yokosuka, Japan. In 1982, Beck came back to the states for a tour at Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore, Calif. From 1985 to 1989, Beck was assigned to USS Constellation (CV 64) where he completed two Western Pacific (WestPac) deployments as the General Maintenance Division Officer and Assistant Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department Officer.

Upon completion of his tour on Constellation, Beck reported to the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif. He graduated with a master of science in December 1989. USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in Bremerton, Wash. was Beck’s next command. He served aboard Nimitz for two years as the Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department Production Officer. In April 1992, the Navy selected Beck to serve as the Aerospace Maintenance Duty Officer (AMDO) Community Manager. In September 1994, Beck returned to Constellation to serve as the Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department Head. Beck completed his sixth WestPac while aboard Constellation.

From August 1996 to October 1998, Beck was the Production Officer at Naval Aviation Depot North Island, Calif. As a member of the North Island team, he was a contributor in winning the California Senate’s Award for Quality for the Depot. Beck returned to Naval Air Systems Command in October 1998 to serve as the Assistant Department Head for Production Support for the Assistant Commander for Aviation Depots. In June 2000, Beck transferred to the position of Director of Joint Depot Maintenance Activities Group located on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio.

Beck brings many years of experience to NADEP JAX, including 10 years of sea service yielding six Sea Service Ribbons, an achievement of which he is particularly proud. “I have been a part of the operating forces for many years. I know that the people here at the Depot know how to do their jobs. What NADEP needs from me is direction in how to apply those skills to best support the deployed forces,” he added. After spending more than 23 years on active duty, Beck says he has a pretty good sense of what the Fleet wants and needs.
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“How do our decisions affect the Fleet? How do our decisions link to readiness?” These questions appear on the dry erase board hanging in Beck’s office. Answering these questions to himself everyday is the way he approaches all aspects of his job.

“The Naval Air Depots have a big impact on readiness,” Beck said. Readiness is an important issue for the Navy. So important, in fact, that the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Adm. Vern Clark, places readiness issues as the top two issues named in his top five priority list – number one is current readiness, number two is future readiness. “The CNO’s goals are pivotal at the Naval Air Depots. The Depots are serving that exact function,” he added.

“The Depots make a difference. Since September 11, there is an increased sense of urgency. The fleet must have what they need before they call for it. At the Depot, we are part of the bigger team,” said Beck. “My vision is to build on the work of previous NADEP leaders, striving for continuous process improvement and maintaining that fleet focus. If we work things through and work together, we can meet that goal,” he added.

Beck’s decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), the Navy Commendation Medal (two awards), the Navy Achievement Medal (two awards), the Sea Service Ribbon (six awards), and various unit awards and campaign ribbons.

Beck is married to the former Lisa Boyd of Lemoore, Calif. They have three children: Jeremy, Daniel, and Whitney.

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