I025 - Submission for Russell Egnor Media Awards - Writing - Feature - Kristi Britt, NNSY Public Affairs Specialist - Shipyard Spotlight: Scott Blalock - Released 12/1/14

1. 12 Service to the Fleet, December 2014/January 2015
Code 930 Work Leader
12 Service to the Fleet, December 2014/January 2015
Shipyard
Spotlight:
Scott Blalock

2. Service to the Fleet, December 2014/January 2015 13Service to the Fleet, December 2014/January 2015 13
For members of the apprentice program,
the graduation ceremony is a moment of
significance, their first steps as journeyman for
Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY). For Shop 38’s
Andrew “Scott” Blalock, it was a chance to
relive the moment six months prior when he
graduated early with honors to begin his path as
a Mechanic Work Leader.
Blalock arrived into the apprentice program in
August 2010 after he heard about the opportunity
from his brother-in-law who also went through
the program. “It was a good experience. I
learned a lot going through all the classes,” said
Blalock. “They teach you more than you need
to know. I mean, you need to know everything
but it teaches you a lot about moving up, what
can happen, what you need to know to go other
places in the shipyard.”
His mentor Calvin Williams showed him the
ropes of the shop and helped him become the
shipyard worker he is today, helping him through
the shaft work with Code 930 as well as the
Steering group. “When you work under him, he
knows just about everything there is to know
about submarines. So when you get under him,
you learn you just got to stick with him. Keep
your mind open, learn how to joke and come to
work with an open mind,” said Blalock.
“This is my buddy, my apprentice, he’s not
an apprentice no more,” said Williams with a
smile. “He is outstanding, willing, questionable,
always wanting to know what’s going on with
the system, what the requirements were and the
breakdown. He wanted to know the responsibility
he held and what he needed to do to get the job
done right the first time. He wanted to make sure
we were safe and installing the things right. He
was great during the shaft repair. He did very
well.”
When asked what his favorite part about
his job, Blalock replied, “working on the big
components knowing that once it gets out of dry
dock and when it passes all its tests that I did a
great job. When I fill out Quality Assurance forms
and they don’t get kicked back. When I know I
did something right, it’s the best feeling in the
world.”
A family man, Blalock and his wife recently
gave birth to a son Sept. 24. “I love spending
time with my family. In-laws live near here and
we always go to Raleigh to see my family. And
I’ve got my dog Bristol. We’re one big, happy
family.”
And off work, Blalock considers himself a
big sports fan, especially when it comes to
NASCAR. His favorite driver is Dale Earnhardt
Jr. His favorite football team is the Cowboys.
Hornets are his favorite basketball team. Braves
for baseball. And anything college he supports
the North Carolina State Wolfpack and the Old
Dominion University Monarchs.
Blalock aims to be a supervisor in the
upcoming years and he offers his advice to all
future shipyard employees. “Don’t be afraid
to ask the old timers here questions. They’ve
been through a lot and have seen a lot. They’ve
worked on a lot. So ask people like Calvin
Williams and David Altman,” he said. “Don’t be
afraid to ask. No question is a stupid question.
Don’t try to do it all yourself and mess it up. Ask
somebody.”
Williams is proud of Blalock’s success in the
apprentice program and looks forward to his
successes here at NNSY. “He’s great for the
future of the shipyard. When you’re working
with me, I love my trade and my job and I love
my comrades. Whatever I’m doing, I want to do
it right. I was a Marine so I know how it is on
the other side. I know what it feels like when
something isn’t right on the ship when it just left
the yard,” Williams said. “It’s our job to get it right
the first time. He’s a very outstanding person and
he’s gonna have a good future.”
Andrew “Scott”Blalock
By Kristi Britt, NNSY Public Affairs Specialist