On Dec. 19, 2025, Newport News Shipbuilding marked a historic milestone as leadership development was celebrated simultaneously at NNS Charleston Operations and NNS Virginia, with graduates completing LEAD 1 in Charleston and LEAD 1.5 in Newport News on the same day for the first time.

In Charleston, 18 leaders graduated during the site’s first LEAD 1 commencement aboard the historic NNS-built USS Yorktown (CV 10), which now serves as a museum ship at Patriots Point, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.

In Newport News, 20 newly appointed foremen completed six weeks of blended classroom and on-the-job learning on the waterfront, reinforcing deck plate and leadership standards where leadership matters most.

In each location, graduates reaffirmed their commitment to NNS leadership standards and values, reflecting a collaborative approach to strengthening core leadership skills and continuous improvement.