April 2000, farewell column...
Ok, this is a bit self-indulgent.
This was my last column for the Navy News. I miss writing the weekly column. So, when my co-worker Susanne suggested starting a "blog" I jumped write on it (spelling pun intended).
I've been a full time union representative 5 years now, and I still love my job!
It's wonderful to come to work each day knowing that I will have several opportunities to help our members and their families.
- mark
FROM INSIDE THE GATE
Mark A. Moshay
For Navy News 4/26/00
After 26 years with the Navy, I’m headed outside the gate
Last week I announced my decision to leave federal service. In May, I will begin a new career with the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA). This will be my last column.
On occasion, I’ve been criticized for injecting too much of my personal life into what I write. I’ve tried to maintain a proper balance during the past seven years. This final column will probably cross the line in that regard. But I want to share some thoughts about the world inside the gate.
The Navy has been a major part of my life since I was 17-years old. I enlisted in high school on the delayed entry program and went to boot camp after graduation in the summer of 1973. I’ve been employed by the Department of the Navy all but eight months since that summer.
The Navy has given me many opportunities. When I was hired in 1978, I worked as a file clerk in the Supply Department. Within a year, I went to the electric shop as a helper.
Eventually, I achieved journeyman electrician. To this day, that is one of my proudest accomplishments. I hold tradespeople in high esteem, they are the ones who literally get the job done.
In the late 1980s I became active in the electrician’s union. In 1990 when I was promoted to ship’s scheduler, I joined the Planners-Estimators, Progessmen and Schedulers (PEPS). I’ve served as President of our local since 1992.
Make no mistake about it, I,m not leaving the shipyard with any ill feeling. To the contrary, I will always be proud to tell say that I spent 25 years working at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.
I’ve had the opportunity to view life at the shipyard from the perspective of an active duty sailor, a white collar clerk, a blue collar tradesman, as a scheduler, and as a union activist. In each role, I’ve met many dedicated and talented people.
I get irritated when I hear negative remarks about shipyard workers. The vast majority of our people are top quality workers.
Our shipyard has a reputation that spans the globe and a legacy that stretches from the 19th to the 21st century.
Every employee and every sailor attached to PSNS, should be proud of who they are and what they do. They should never doubt their contribution to our country.
My involvement in union work has always been driven by a desire to help others. As a child, my mother continually reinforced the importance of helping those in need. As a widow raising two kids on her own, she always managed to find a way for us to put together a basket of food and gifts for a family in need during the holidays. That’s one of many examples I learned from mom during my childhood.
Children learn more by what they see than what they’re told. My involvement in organized labor and in the community has helped me demonstrate my values to our three children.
My wife Jeanne has been my greatest source of encouragement throughout my career. Many times, when I felt giving up on some overwhelming challenge, she was able to inspire me to press on.
Leadership, is the ability to inspire others to achieve a goal. It’s not a difficult concept to explain, but it takes a lifetime to perfect. I think I’ve had some measure of success as a leader. I’ll always be grateful to the union for giving me the chance to lead.
I’m looking forward to my next challenge, but I sincerely appreciate the many opportunities and challenges that I found working for the Navy.
Thank you all for your encouragement and support over the years.
Now, it’s time for me to go, outside the gate!
This was my last column for the Navy News. I miss writing the weekly column. So, when my co-worker Susanne suggested starting a "blog" I jumped write on it (spelling pun intended).
I've been a full time union representative 5 years now, and I still love my job!
It's wonderful to come to work each day knowing that I will have several opportunities to help our members and their families.
- mark
FROM INSIDE THE GATE
Mark A. Moshay
For Navy News 4/26/00
After 26 years with the Navy, I’m headed outside the gate
Last week I announced my decision to leave federal service. In May, I will begin a new career with the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA). This will be my last column.
On occasion, I’ve been criticized for injecting too much of my personal life into what I write. I’ve tried to maintain a proper balance during the past seven years. This final column will probably cross the line in that regard. But I want to share some thoughts about the world inside the gate.
The Navy has been a major part of my life since I was 17-years old. I enlisted in high school on the delayed entry program and went to boot camp after graduation in the summer of 1973. I’ve been employed by the Department of the Navy all but eight months since that summer.
The Navy has given me many opportunities. When I was hired in 1978, I worked as a file clerk in the Supply Department. Within a year, I went to the electric shop as a helper.
Eventually, I achieved journeyman electrician. To this day, that is one of my proudest accomplishments. I hold tradespeople in high esteem, they are the ones who literally get the job done.
In the late 1980s I became active in the electrician’s union. In 1990 when I was promoted to ship’s scheduler, I joined the Planners-Estimators, Progessmen and Schedulers (PEPS). I’ve served as President of our local since 1992.
Make no mistake about it, I,m not leaving the shipyard with any ill feeling. To the contrary, I will always be proud to tell say that I spent 25 years working at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.
I’ve had the opportunity to view life at the shipyard from the perspective of an active duty sailor, a white collar clerk, a blue collar tradesman, as a scheduler, and as a union activist. In each role, I’ve met many dedicated and talented people.
I get irritated when I hear negative remarks about shipyard workers. The vast majority of our people are top quality workers.
Our shipyard has a reputation that spans the globe and a legacy that stretches from the 19th to the 21st century.
Every employee and every sailor attached to PSNS, should be proud of who they are and what they do. They should never doubt their contribution to our country.
My involvement in union work has always been driven by a desire to help others. As a child, my mother continually reinforced the importance of helping those in need. As a widow raising two kids on her own, she always managed to find a way for us to put together a basket of food and gifts for a family in need during the holidays. That’s one of many examples I learned from mom during my childhood.
Children learn more by what they see than what they’re told. My involvement in organized labor and in the community has helped me demonstrate my values to our three children.
My wife Jeanne has been my greatest source of encouragement throughout my career. Many times, when I felt giving up on some overwhelming challenge, she was able to inspire me to press on.
Leadership, is the ability to inspire others to achieve a goal. It’s not a difficult concept to explain, but it takes a lifetime to perfect. I think I’ve had some measure of success as a leader. I’ll always be grateful to the union for giving me the chance to lead.
I’m looking forward to my next challenge, but I sincerely appreciate the many opportunities and challenges that I found working for the Navy.
Thank you all for your encouragement and support over the years.
Now, it’s time for me to go, outside the gate!
posted by Mark Moshay at Friday, November 04, 2005
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