Vernon T Williams News

At a Change of Command ceremony conducted on October at the Naval Sea Systems Command?s (NAVSEA) Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Captain Vernon T. Williams, was relieved by Captain Kevin M. McCoy as commanding officer of the shipyard. NAVSEA's commander Vice Admiral Pete Nanos, the primary speaker at the event, praised Captain Williams' work in bringing Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, the community and its business partners closer together. By Debbie White, Public Affairs Officer, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Source: NAVSEA News wire

On Friday, August 17, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard graduated its first Cooperative Apprenticeship Program (CAP) class since 1993, when the program was halted by the threat of base closure and subsequent reductions in work force. The nine graduates began as a class of 12 in 1997 and have all accepted permanent, journeyman-level positions on the yard. Two years ago, each student received an associate's degree from a participating technical college. "A real bright spot in this program is the growth that we've seen in the past few years," said Captain Vernon "Tom" Williams, USN, the Shipyard's commander. "It has increased in size from 12 in the first class, to 49 in 1998, 95 in 1999, 75 in 2000, and 68 in 2001.