Walter Reed National Military Medical Center News

Vice Adm. Phillip Cullom
Chief of Fleet Readiness & Logistics, lead coordinator on the Navy's additive manufacturing efforts, explains for those new to 3D printing why the Navy is interested in this technology, and what it is already contributing. Norfolk Naval Shipyard’s Rapid Prototype Lab is saving the Navy thousands of dollars on the Gerald R. Ford-class of aircraft carriers. Instead of traditional wood or metal mockups of ship alterations, which help to prevent expensive rework, the lab prints much cheaper plastic polymer models – in hours, rather than days or weeks. Now all four Navy shipyards have 3D printers working on similar, and other, ways to benefit the Navy.

Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Bob Papp underwent surgery to treat early stage prostate cancer at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., Monday, after it was diagnosed in a proactive health screening. The Coast Guard’s highest ranking officer is using the situation as a learning opportunity on preventive health for the service’s approximately 57,000 military and civilian employees, 30,000 auxiliary volunteers, their families and retirees. “My early diagnosis is an important reminder of the importance of staying current on health screening,” said Papp.

Howard University College of Engineering, Architecture and Computer Sciences (CEACS) and the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) signed an agreement that will potentially open doors to graduates for jobs around the world at NAVFAC. Howard University and NAVFAC have long, distinguished engineering histories individually, but they cemented their relationship with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) during the 2009 Advancing Minorities' Interest in Engineering (AMIE) Conference Sept. 9 at the Washington Plaza Hotel. NAVFAC is hiring around the world at its 16 commands, which includes 64 public works departments and three Officers in Charge of Construction.