Recently retired with 26 years of service. 16 years as a Sergeant and 12 years collateral duties on the departments dive team.

After completing my apprenticeship in 1988 I worked in the nuclear section as a mechanic on submarines. I transferred to the refueling section and worked there until I left in 1994. During this time I was part of the initial team dedicated to developing mock up training, procedures and skills to carryout the first nuclear re-fueling at NNSY in 20 years. After developing the processes and procedures for completing the refueling I trained the newer personnel assigned to the refueling project and tested their competence through the mock up scenarios. I was promoted to work leader before the actual refueling took place and completed the defueling portion and movement of fuel using a project managent format of supervision. I coordinated support personnel, inspections, radiological controls and engineering support on a daily basis to most efficiently and safely complete these evolutions. When refueling operations were on hold I would occasionally be tasked with a research and development project to provide input and documentation of various components. I left NNSY in 1994 to join the Chesapeake Police Department.

Completed the four year apprenticeship program in Shop 38 as a Marine Machinery Mechanic. Training included education at Tidewater Community College in basic engineering practices. Upon satisfactory completion of the college level education I was assigned to the Norfolk Naval Shipyard for practical training. During this time I learned how to intstall, remove, rebuilt and repair shipboard mechanical systems on aircraft carriers, submarines (SSBN's and 688 class), amphibious assault ships and cruisers. I received special training in optical alignment and repair/rebuild of nuclear systems.