Photo By Daniel DeAngelis | Code 361 Nuclear Zone Manager Robert Jarman is May’s EDP Highlight. Also known...... read more read more
Code 361 Nuclear Zone Manager Robert Jarman, also affectionately known by many as "Red Beard", has always had Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) in his veins. His great grandfather, grandfather, and mother all found a calling at NNSY’s waterfront. Therefore, it was no surprise that his journey would also bring him to America’s Shipyard.
In the early days of his career at 17 years old, Jarman was a procedural air traffic controller in the United States Marine Corps (USMC), spending five years on active duty. He was primarily stationed in California but was afforded the opportunity to travel around the world to Okinawa, Japan; South Korea; and Thailand. He completed his contract with the USMC in 2006 and begun working job after job, looking for the next move in his career. At the time, his mother, Peggy Jarman, was working in the Information Technology (IT) Department. “She told me that the shipyard was the way to go,” said Jarman. “I was looking for stability and hoped to find a lasting career so I applied. It took me two years to get my foot in the door; but as soon as I got into the Lifting and Handling Department (Shop 72) as a Rigger Mechanic, I absolutely loved NNSY and I’ve been here for eight years now.”
Jarman continued to progress in his professional journey moving through the ranks of the Lifting and Handling Department (Code 740) making work leader and supervisor, eventually finding himself in Code 361 as a Nuclear Zone Manager. An opportunity came up in the form of the Journey Level Leaders (JLL) Program, a mid-level leadership development program designed to advance the enterprise’s top performers with unique opportunities to practice and expand leadership skills. Interested in applying, Jarman began his application and turned to his department head, Code 361 Project Superintendent Joe Singer.
“Mr. Singer was a past graduate of the Executive Development Program (EDP) and when I came to him, he shared about his experience and told me that the EDP was the way to go if I was looking for more leadership opportunities,” said Jarman. “I decided to change course and apply for the EDP. I worked with Mr. Singer on my application and he mentored me on what I needed to do and how to better myself.”
He was recently selected as one of the four candidates in Cadre 9 of the EDP and is very excited to step outside of his comfort zone and develop his leadership skills for his future and the future of America’s Shipyard.
“There are so many things I want to accomplish with this program,” said Jarman. “I’ve found that I need to work on improving my interpersonal skills so I don’t come across as abrasive or uncompassionate to those I work with. I also need to open myself up to what the rest of the shipyard does as a whole. Like my counterparts within the program, I had always understood fully what my area of expertise does for the shipyard, but anything outside of that I wasn’t sure how it fit into the bigger picture. Being able to go out into the shipyard and visit the various shops and learn firsthand what they do and how they function is huge. I get to see how the shops work both independently and as part of the shipyard family.”
The EDP is a six-month program designed to give qualified personnel the opportunity to experience, first-hand, the leadership competencies and styles, as well as the operational parameters and guidelines, that make up the total picture of successful naval shipyard operations. To learn more about the program, visit https://webcentral.nnsy.navy.mil/departments/c900/C900CU/leadership%20developement/NNSY%20Executive%20Developement%20Program.aspx.
Getting to Know Robert "Red Beard" Jarman
Q. What is some advice you’d give to your fellow shipyarders?
A. With hard work and determination, the sky is the limit! If you’re willing to put in time and effort into your job, this is an amazing place to be.
Also, if there’s anything you’re interested in doing, go for it! Apply for as many positions as possible. Try something new! The worst thing that can happen is they tell you no or things don’t work out. There’s nothing wrong with trying to better yourself. It’s up to you to take those steps.
Q. Are there any mentors you’ve had that have played a role in your career?
A. Shop 72 Rigging Trades Manager Colby Wallace played an essential role in helping me understand the lay of the land from a shipyard perspective. He helped me establish myself as a leader within Shop 72.
Code 361 Deputy Project Superintendent John Gordan opened my eyes to how little I knew about the shipyard and was instrumental in pushing me to further develop myself.
I truly appreciate these gentlemen’s efforts and persistence to help me grow and develop both personally and professionally.
Q. Has any changes been made to your program due to Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19)?
A. We have currently halted our shadowing, interviewing, and travel plans due to COVID-19; however, we have been redirected as the singular point for COVID-19 PPE requests and are working hand-in-hand with the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to ensure the workforce is getting the PPE needed to perform work safely. We’re here to help minimize the spread while maximizing the mission.
Q. Talk a little bit about your family.
A. Many of us have been part of the shipyard in some way. Even my wife, Karen, is now here as a Shop 51 Apprentice.
My wife and I have been married for 14 years. Together we have two children, Brandon (17) and Rylee (12).
Brandon is attempting to be the fifth generation employed at NNSY. He recently submitted his application to the apprenticeship program and is looking forward to joining the ranks of our shipyard family. Rylee is a horse enthusiast. She dreams of growing up to be an equine veterinarian.
Q. What’s it like outside of work for you?
A. I’m a big-time hunter and am on the executive committee of the Meherrin Bow and Gun Club. I really love being outdoors. I also love to cook and grill. I also enjoy small woodworking projects, even though I’m not very good at it. I really enjoy working with my hands. And I’m a die-hard Minnesota Vikings fan!
I also enjoy raising a garden with my wife and tending to our various animals. Currently we have two dogs, Sweet Pea and Pixie; two cats, Chewbacca and Vader; a rabbit, Queen Wintergreen Jellybean Wolverine; a 150 gallon tank with lots of fish; and six chickens.
| Date Taken: | 05.05.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 05.14.2020 13:56 |
| Story ID: | 369236 |
| Location: | PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 40 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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