NSWC Crane Named a DoD Top Installation

Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane is a winner of the 2002 Commander in Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence. The Commander in Chief's award recognizes outstanding and innovative efforts of people who operate and maintain U.S. military installations, which in turn, enables better mission performance and enhances the quality of life for servicemembers and their families. NSWC Crane was one of five winners selected throughout the Department of Defense (DoD). Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld announced the winners on March 20. NSWC Crane's success in providing increased value to customers resulted by ensuring an outstanding work environment for its dedicated civilian, military, and reserve personnel and their families. NSWC Crane has expanded both the volume and complexity of state-of-the-art training available to its workforce. A new program realigned training priorities, which significantly improves NSWC Crane's ability to meet current and future Fleet needs. The education plan includes formal training in several Masters and Ph.D. programs, a continuation of the very successful Professional Lecturer Series with engineering and technical lectures from prominent businesses and universities. Crane offers a four-year apprentice program, which leads to an Associates Degree in Applied Science. Morale, Welfare, and Recreational Programs and Facilities are popular. NSWC Crane's program considers every aspect of employee well being. From its beautiful lake facilities to leagues, competitions, and outings, NSWC Crane offers well-rounded morale-building programs. Youth programs were revised to offer seasonal camp activities and children's Quality of Life has been enhanced by the addition of playground equipment, age-appropriate books and games for the center library. NSWC Crane's School Partnership Program serves the southern Indiana school communities with the promotion and application of science and mathematics. One of the highlights of NSWC Crane's school partnership year was a Science Fair, which included the participation of 26 middle and high schools. The NSWC Crane workforce continues to serve this same community with the state's largest donation of blood to the American Red Cross and its personal largest donation to the Combined Federal Campaign, up 24 percent from the previous year. NSWC Crane is a recognized DoD leader in business reform. In recent testimony to the Government Accounting Office Commercial Activities Panel, NSWC Crane documented its success in increasing military value to its customers. NSWC Crane's innovative business and process reengineering efforts have provided customers $27 million in annualized, recurring savings to date. "Without question, the men and women working at Crane take great pride in the service they provide to their country," said Capt. Scott Wetter, NSWC Crane's commanding officer. "We have taken a hard road on working hard to improve service, while continually reducing cost to provide the best value to the taxpayer. We are especially appreciative of the support we receive from the communities, universities, and elected officials that surround Crane. " NSWC Crane will be recognized at the 2002 Commander in Chief's award ceremony at the Pentagon on May 3.