Giants of Skilled Trades: Kermit Wiggins Jr., Newport News Shipbuilding
As part of its ongoing partnership with the Naval Academy Athletic Association (NAAA), BlueForge Alliance (BFA) and BuildSubmarines.com proudly presented Navy Football’s home game against the University of Temple on September 6 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland.
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In a special ceremony before kickoff, BFA and NAAA representatives presented Kermit Wiggins Jr., a Master Shipbuilder at HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) with the ceremonial game ball. Wiggins has dedicated more than 42 years to the shipbuilding industry, and this recognition acknowledged Wiggins’s exceptional craftsmanship and unwavering dedication to excellence in shipbuilding.
Recently named the 2024 Model of Excellence Tradesperson of the Year, Wiggins has built a remarkable career at NNS, specializing in sheet metal work for aircraft carriers and submarines. His meticulous attention to detail has ensured that the galleys of both the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and the John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) were delivered to the Navy without a single defect. Beyond his technical expertise, Wiggins is known for his dedication to developing the skills of his colleagues and providing guidance and mentorship that create a lasting impact across the shipyard.
This game day recognition serves as a testament to the important work being done by shipbuilders like Wiggins and the broader community supporting America’s defense. The partnership between BFA and NAAA continues to spotlight the crucial contributions of those building the undersea giants that protect our nation.
Before the game, Wiggins shared his thoughts and insights on his decades long career.
What inspired you to begin your career in shipbuilding?
A few years removed from high school and having worked for several employers, I felt as though I needed more than a job. I needed a career. Newport News Shipbuilding offered me that.
You have had a long, successful career for more than four decades. What has kept you motivated?
Mentorship and inspiration from our veteran workforce. Specifically, their leadership and drive to build a quality product and a good ship for our customer: the United States Navy.
Are there any memorable moments or specific projects that you worked on that standout in your 42-year career?
Beginning with my career at NNS on the Los Angeles-class submarine program, my fellow coworkers took pride in their work. Upon the completion of the sea trials of those ships, a broom would hang from the sail of the vessel. This represented a “clean sweep” and a job well done.
How have you seen the shipbuilding industry evolve?
Safety and environmental standards have greatly improved, making it safer for me to return home in good health to my family.
What would you tell someone who is thinking about getting into the trades?
Newport News Shipbuilding offers many opportunities to those who want a career, a good quality of life for themselves and their families, and a sense of accomplishment.
What do you hope to achieve in the remainder of your career? What lasting impact do you want to leave in your career?
I would hope that I will be thought of as someone that was a good mentor and an example to our younger generation and workforce.
What skills and traits do you believe are important for a person to find success in the trades?
The importance of taking and ingesting information, details, and quality towards the trade given to them from every resource available.
Careers at HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding division are among the thousands available right now in the Opportunities section of BuildSubmarines.com.
Written by:
Taylor Massey, BlueForge Alliance
(Photos from NNS and the Naval Academy Athletic Association)
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