1982 – Back to the Navy & a Career Change

My History, My Memories
By Don Taylor

After being laid off from TRW, I worked for the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Defense Contract Management Administration Services (DCAS). After a couple of years, I received the opportunity for a promotion and to return to the US Navy—as a civilian. On November 9, 1982, there was a Commissioning and Assumption of Command Ceremony for the Naval Plant Representative Office (NAVPRO), Minneapolis, and the Naval Industrial Reserve Ordnance Plant (NIROP), Minneapolis, Minnesota. Besides the DCAS office, the Naval Sea Systems Command Technical Representatives were incorporated into the new command.

Most of the previous DCAS employees were transitioned to the new NAVPRO. As one of the first new hires of the new command, I was invited to attend the ceremony. I was excited to start. I was changing from a GS-9 Quality Assurance Specialist to a GS-11 Engineering Technician. My new job would be to review waivers, deviations, and ECPs (Engineering Change Proposals) and provide my analysis of the impact. I could approve minor waivers & deviations (those things were not to the requirements; however, they didn’t affect form, fit, function, reliability, or interchangeability).

The new NAVPRO had a new computer system, a Wang 2200. I was given programming access to the system and began using it to develop a database to monitor and manage waivers, deviations, and ECPs. I also started developing other programs that the Engineering staff used. The computer support team was having many difficulties getting programs to work well. Because my programs worked, the Commanding Officer (CO) asked if I’d take a temporary assignment to the computer group and help there. I took a 90-day assignment. At the end of the 90 days, the CO asked if I’d take another 90 days with the computer group. At the end of that TDY (temporary duty), he asked if I’d make the switch from a GS-0802 (Engineering Technician) to a GS-0334 (Computer Specialist). I agreed and made the life-changing career change. Some years later, I was changed to a GS-2210 (Information Technology Management). So, that TDY to help the computer team at NAVPRO Minneapolis, resulted in my working with computers and information technology for the rest of my life.