12 Service to the Fleet, December 2014/January 2015

Code 930 Work Leader

12 Service to the Fleet, December 2014/January 2015

Shipyard Spotlight: Scott Blalock

Service to the Fleet, December 2014/January 2015 13 Service to the Fleet, December 2014/January 2015 13

For members of the apprentice program, the graduation ceremony is a moment of significance, their first steps as journeyman for Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY). For Shop 38’s Andrew “Scott” Blalock, it was a chance to relive the moment six months prior when he graduated early with honors to begin his path as a Mechanic Work Leader. Blalock arrived into the apprentice program in August 2010 after he heard about the opportunity from his brother-in-law who also went through the program. “It was a good experience. I learned a lot going through all the classes,” said Blalock. “They teach you more than you need to know. I mean, you need to know everything but it teaches you a lot about moving up, what can happen, what you need to know to go other places in the shipyard.” His mentor Calvin Williams showed him the ropes of the shop and helped him become the shipyard worker he is today, helping him through the shaft work with Code 930 as well as the Steering group. “When you work under him, he knows just about everything there is to know about submarines. So when you get under him, you learn you just got to stick with him. Keep your mind open, learn how to joke and come to work with an open mind,” said Blalock. “This is my buddy, my apprentice, he’s not an apprentice no more,” said Williams with a smile. “He is outstanding, willing, questionable, always wanting to know what’s going on with the system, what the requirements were and the breakdown. He wanted to know the responsibility he held and what he needed to do to get the job done right the first time. He wanted to make sure we were safe and installing the things right. He was great during the shaft repair. He did very well.” When asked what his favorite part about his job, Blalock replied, “working on the big components knowing that once it gets out of dry

dock and when it passes all its tests that I did a great job. When I fill out Quality Assurance forms and they don’t get kicked back. When I know I did something right, it’s the best feeling in the world.” A family man, Blalock and his wife recently gave birth to a son Sept. 24. “I love spending time with my family. In-laws live near here and we always go to Raleigh to see my family. And I’ve got my dog Bristol. We’re one big, happy family.” And off work, Blalock considers himself a big sports fan, especially when it comes to NASCAR. His favorite driver is Dale Earnhardt Jr. His favorite football team is the Cowboys. Hornets are his favorite basketball team. Braves for baseball. And anything college he supports the North Carolina State Wolfpack and the Old Dominion University Monarchs. Blalock aims to be a supervisor in the upcoming years and he offers his advice to all future shipyard employees. “Don’t be afraid to ask the old timers here questions. They’ve been through a lot and have seen a lot. They’ve worked on a lot. So ask people like Calvin Williams and David Altman,” he said. “Don’t be afraid to ask. No question is a stupid question. Don’t try to do it all yourself and mess it up. Ask somebody.” Williams is proud of Blalock’s success in the apprentice program and looks forward to his successes here at NNSY. “He’s great for the future of the shipyard. When you’re working with me, I love my trade and my job and I love my comrades. Whatever I’m doing, I want to do it right. I was a Marine so I know how it is on the other side. I know what it feels like when something isn’t right on the ship when it just left the yard,” Williams said. “It’s our job to get it right the first time. He’s a very outstanding person and he’s gonna have a good future.”

Andrew “Scott”BlalockBy Kristi Britt, NNSY Public Affairs Specialist