Prince George's County, Maryland’s Post

Part II of our avionics apprenticeship journey with James Hertig. What questions would you like answered about transitioning to work on aircraft? Drop a question in the comments below. ⬇️ #aviationmaintenance #aviation #aircraftmaintenance #garmin #usn #navy #engineering #aviationdaily #airplane #aircraftmechanic #skilledlabor #aviationjobs

Today’s subject held multiple submarine commands. A great theme in this contribution is that of ‘self-awareness’. In my experience, lots of us think we are good listeners when actually we are just waiting for our turn to say something. (Me!) I would say I *thought* I was self aware before SMCC but the course really held a mirror up to me and gave me the opportunity to reflect upon what I was actually capable of and what impact I could or couldn’t have on a team. Unless you’re impeccably emotionally secure or self confident to the point of hubris, rarely are you going to like what you see but it’s being prepared to change that makes the difference I think. SMCC is a unique opportunity, open to Warfare Officers of sufficient experience in the Submarine Service. If you’re already a Warfare Officer in the submarine service, you are on an exciting apprenticeship to command. If you are a maritime reserve, a naval rating or someone who manages a rating who is interested in becoming a Warfare Officer, I want to hear from you.

2023 has been a great year for Ascent, with several important milestones reached - including our 100th Military Aviation Ground School (MAGS) class back in April. As part of our celebrations, we asked members of our very first class to share tips for Class 100. Flt Lt Matt Kenealy, 72(F) Sqn, was part of the very first Ascent MAGS class at #RAFCranwell. He became a Qualified Flying Instructor in 2022 and is now passing his knowledge on to future aviators. So, what advice did he have for MAGS Class 100? “The most important thing on any flying training course is to help each other out, sharing your mistakes, strengths and weaknesses to make everyone better. You learn the most from each other,” he said. “The end of flying training may seem like a long time away... but being on a course is the most enjoyable time that you will have, so try and take it one step at a time.” Read more: https://ow.ly/Z1Vb50QhMma

EARNING YOUR WINGS Enjoying the evening with friends, Maria shared a story that resonated.  “I got my chops early on in college when I was the only woman on a student led board.” Through that experience Maria learned to stand up for herself, push back and make her voice known. It was tough and demanding AND prepared her well for corporate life.   I thought about it. In my vernacular, I call it earning your wings. When I graduated from flight school, I earned my wings. With the pomp and circumstance befitting a Navy ceremony, we were awarded our wings at the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, FL. Under four shiny blue jet aircraft in the Blue Angel diamond formation, I received my wings. Thirteen of us graduated that day, and I was the only woman. At that point, naval aviation had been open to women for just eleven years. Then there were fewer than 150 women naval aviators, now there have been well over a thousand. One by one we were called forward to receive our wings. The master of ceremonies sounded off, “Ensign Bell graduates with honors.” I eagerly leapt forward to receive my Wings of Gold, embracing the fact that my dream had come true. No one could ever take that credential away from me. Trials are meant to test us. They prepare us for what is next in our lives. My bet is that you have seen that fact unfold in your life. Four years at the Naval Academy prepared me for the challenges of flight school. Flight school prepared me to FLY. How have you been tested and how have you earned your wings? Think about it, drop me a line, then share your story with someone else. As always, Fly High, Barbara Want to know more? Need help cultivating resilience or earning your wings? Check out my other blog posts at captainbarbarabell.com and of course my book, Flight Lessons: Navigating Through Life’s Turbulence and Learning to Fly High.  #gratitude, #veterans, #coaching, #mentoring, #leadership

✈️ Farnborough International Airshow is soaring off. Thank you to the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer MP, for opening the Airshow today alongside our Chief Executive Kevin Craven. We appreciate the Government's renewed commitment to the UK workforce, with the announcement of Skills England as a body dedicated to securing our future workforce highly welcomed by our industry members. Dedication to apprenticeships and locally based supply & demand models is something that we have been consistently clear on: it's vital for our industries' future success. But there's more – we saw: 🏢 Reassurance to the development of an Industrial Strategy Council 🛬 Assurances made by Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds MP, to project-led allocations for the Aerospace Technology Institute 🤝 An enhanced pledge to our role in NATO  All of this reflects the need to secure UK advantage in an increasingly volatile world.  #aerospace #defence #security #space #aviation #FIA24 #FIA2024

NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support commander Rear Adm. Matt Ott and vice commander Lynn Kohl hosted an executive midyear offsite to continue developing the command’s Blueprint 2.0 strategic five-year plan. During the offsite, NAVSUP WSS leaders and Blueprint 2.0 team members held team-building exercises and discussed current operations impacting NAVSUP WSS business. Each Blueprint team discussed its top projects and the command's top challenges and opportunities to include: direct support to fleet customers, improving the maritime material system, reinforcing Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) as the most affordable and reliable partner for the future fleet, developing tomorrow’s data governance through robust digital tools and IT systems, and rebuilding a vibrant culture centered on apprenticeship and teamwork. #AlwaysTheTeam #AlwaysReady #GetRealGetBetter

Redefine Your Flight Path - Own the Sky Good Friday Morning! Today, I'm propelled with excitement as I journey to NAS Fort Worth JRB for the 301st Fighter Wing Annual Education Resource Fair. #WGU is on mission mode, ready to arm our Airmen with the ultimate weapon in this lightning-paced IT world: Competency-Based Education (CBE). Why CBE? Because in the realm of IT, having a solid foundation isn't just a nice-to-have, it's the cornerstone of every success story. CBE is not just education. It's action training for the mind. It's about conquering skills at your pace, applying them in the trenches of the real world, and emerging victorious. You're not just learning—you're proving your mettle. Certifications are your armor. They declare your skills, showcasing your capabilities to adapt and excel in a field where change is the only constant. Experience—this is where you shine, adding value, making impacts, and solidifying your stance as a force to be reckoned with. To all are you ready to enter & dominate the IT battlefield, remember: the power trio of CBE, Certifications, and Experience is your strategy for an unassailable career. Level up, warriors. Lead the charge in IT and let the sky be your starting point! #TechCareer #CompetencyBasedEducation #CertificationPower #ExperienceCounts #FutureProofing #Military #Focused

————————————— Fifteen Things Every Naval Aviator Can Teach You About Life by Matthew Brasmer You’re responsible. Attention is life. Inattention will be at least minimally harmful if not deadly. There is always a curriculum. Preparation is advised. A well-lived life, like flying, requires constant adjustments. Think before you speak or key the mic. The people or instructors you dislike can still teach you much. The airplane doesn’t care about your pedigree. Neither does life. If you are not putting your life or the airplane where it needs to be, it’s your fault and your responsibility to fix it. Use the checklist. Plan your actions well, and be ready for the inevitable emergency. It’s coming. Celebrate your successes, yet realize that your life’s curriculum will require more tomorrow. It’s the Way. As in flying and life, the path to happiness is freedom; the path to freedom is courage. You never earn your Wings just once. Keep on learning, especially from your mistakes and those of others. You are not as cool or as skilled as you think. Humility is advised to overcome incapacity and neglect. You’ll meet real jerks along your path; don’t become one. #FlyNavy

‘WHAT DO YOU WANT THEM TO DO?’ I was asked this question a lot as a Watch Leader and during Submarine Command Course/‘Perisher’. My Captain would then make me articulate out loud what I wanted to get from the team and then if he was satisfied with my thinking he would say: ‘Right, now tell THEM!’. I don’t know everything, far from it. BUT, this guide is intended to TELL Junior Officers what is expected of them. Yes, it is probably too long and opinions on subjects like leadership vary but my hope is for it to be a handrail to their early days in service until they find their feet. Ratings of the Naval Service, what have I missed? What would YOU say is the most important thing for an Officer starting their service? Leadership is not an ‘Officers Only’ sport and in many ways it is true to say ‘The submarine service chooses its officers’ as every officer is supported (or not) through their training by Ratings. If you are an X(SM) Officer you are on an exciting apprenticeship to Command. If you are a reservist, a rating or an officer of a different branch or specialisation and want to know more, I want to hear from you.

Learn more about the airmanship programs at the US Air Force Academy in my latest blog . . .