Patuxent River, MD — A command-wide graduation ceremony held here Sept. 10 recognized 92 employees from the Journey Leadership Development Program (JLDP) and 58 from NAVAIR’s Leadership Development Program (NLDP).
NLDP and JLDP help prepare employees to learn and master leadership principles and philosophies more effectively.
“You’ve taken a great step, and I’m counting on you to take this command to the next level,” NAVAIR Commander Vice Adm. David Dunaway told the graduates.
NAVAIR Deputy Commander Garry Newton echoed these sentiments when he said, “Thanks for your commitment to government service and to your personal and professional improvement. Pay it forward; continue to promote continuous learning.”
Revamped in 2013, NLDP, the command’s flagship leadership program, serves to develop leadership, management and productivity improvement skills for mid- to senior-grade employees over a period of three to five years. This year, 72 new employees were inducted into the program.
In the one- to two-year JLDP, participants enhance their interpersonal communication and productivity skills, gain a stronger knowledge of command operations and develop a personal network through classes, training and developmental activities. JLDP was formally established in 2010.
Graduates emphasized the many networking and mentoring opportunities available in both programs.
Dustin Daube said he became more actively involved in NAVAIR’s mentoring program after joining the JLDP.
“Being enrolled in the JLDP has given me the opportunity to meet and befriend others in NAVAIR that have inspirations of being tomorrow’s leaders,” he said.
Gina Caudill, an NLDP graduate, said she was able to increase her networking across the entire naval enterprise.
“This program has shown me that, as a leader, I need a vision with a strategic plan, able to be a responsible person with abilities, ready to respond and move forward in this continuously changing environment,” she said. “Communication, life balance, diversity and mentorship are very important parts of our daily jobs.”
NLDP graduates Cameron Bruce and Kurt Rockwell learned more about how NAVAIR fits into the larger Navy and Department of Defense.
“I’d boil the value of the program down to two things: perspective and people,” Rockwell said. “The program has given me new perspectives that have enabled me to understand how I fit into the big picture. The better you understand the way the system works and the things that make others in the organization successful, the better you can develop solutions that are win-win for all.”
Bruce said his rotational assignment to the Pentagon and exposure to congressmen, congressional staffers, former ambassadors and senior leaders was invaluable.
“Each of these individuals provided their honest assessment and insights into their work and experiences,” he said. “That dialogue placed into context the world of some of our nation’s senior most leaders, the world that NAVAIR must do well in.”
Learn more about NAVAIR’s employee training and developmental programs.
NAVAIR Headquarters