Surface Warfare Instructor Receives Navy Safety Award

By Steve Vanderwerff, Naval Education and Training Command Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- A Navy instructor was honored for establishing and maintaining exemplary safety procedures, and received the Rear Adm. Buie Safety Excellence Award for 2009 from Rear Adm. Arthur J. Johnson, commander, Naval Safety Center June 10.

Lt. Jason Plumley, Surface Warfare Officer School (SWOS) Learning Site Norfolk's officer in charge and its senior instructor, was presented the award during a ceremony held on board the SWOS Learning Site in Norfolk.

The award recognizes Plumley's contribution to the Navy's afloat safety culture.

"At SWOS' Norfolk Learning Site, we make safety a priority," said Plumley. "This award is a testament to the individual and collective professionalism of our Sailors and Marines. I continue to strive for the safest possible workplace to the benefit our Sailors and Marines health and mission accomplishment."

Plumley's citation noted his outstanding contribution to fleet readiness, increased morale, and efficient, economical use of resources through safety. In addition to his command's outstanding safety record, his aggressive safety programs actively contributed to increased mishap prevention for the general benefit of the afloat community.

"I'm very fortunate to have Lt. Plumley as a part of the Surface Warfare Officers School" said Capt. Neil R. Parrott, commanding officer of SWOS. "He brings the professionalism and experience we need to keep improving the officers we are charged with preparing for the fleet."

The award is given to an individual who contributes the most toward the Navy's afloat-safety awareness through the submission of hazard, near mishap, and lessons learned reports, and safety-related articles for publication.

Plumley has been published twice; once in the Fall '09 edition of Safety Center's Sea/Shore Magazine for his article, "Damage Control Tactics in Extreme Stability Situations"; and another in the November '09 edition of US Coast Guard (USCG) Damage Control Force Notes & USCG Engineering, Electronics, and Logistics Quarterly, titled "Damage Control in the New Frontier".

The award commemorates Rear Adm. Buie's contribution to afloat safety during his tour as commanding officer of the Naval Safety Center (NSC) from January 1965 to July 1968.

"The Rear Adm. Buie award is recognition for our efforts to promote safety both in the workplace and our home lives," said Don Strong, SWOS safety officer. "At SWOS we uphold the highest standards of safety. Having Lt. Plumley aboard is a welcome addition to the command."

The goal of the award is to increase the communication of hazards, near mishaps, and lessons learned outside the lifelines of surface ships and to prevent similar incidents from occurring. Providing this type of information to a larger Navy audience helps to reduce hazards and prevent mishaps.