“I’ve worked on every nuclear-powered aircraft carrier this country has ever had.”

This powerful statement is from Milton James (E37), a radiographic interpreter, who is celebrating his 65th anniversary with Newport News Shipbuilding this month.

For most shipbuilders, the last 65 years of NNS represent history. For James, these years are stories, memories and lived experience.

“I’m originally from Surry County,” James said. “Back then, you either worked on a farm, at the meatpacking plant or came to the shipyard. I decided to come here.”

Naturally, James has witnessed an incredible amount of change across the shipyard during his tenure that he believes is for the best, such as readily available food options, improved safety procedures and climate-controlled workspaces.

“As a shopfitter, I never worked in a shop. It was work out on the platens. I spent two winters on Platen 13, which is no longer there – it was just north of Dry Dock 11 – and it was cold. There were a lot of nights out working on the old shipways, wind blowing in off the river, icicles hanging everywhere.”

He explained that weather often sent him and his crew home early and carpooling was much more common.

“Most families didn’t have but one vehicle,” he said. “This meant everybody carpooled. When the weather got bad and schedules changed, you found someone to hitchhike home with. It was 40 miles back to where I lived. That was rough sometimes, but a part of it.”

James transferred to nondestructive testing (NDT) in 1963 after two years as a shopfitter. This move wasn’t about a quality-of-life improvement; it was a response to one of those landmarks that most shipbuilders only know as history – the sinking of U.S. Navy submarine Thresher.

While NNS did not build Thresher, the Navy’s response to that tragedy impacted the entire industry.

“The Navy asked for more and stricter inspections after that accident,” James explained. “The company was pulling people from across the shipyard to start doing inspections. When I came to NDT, it was also a transfer to third shift because you had to exclude other people from your area while working. They told me it would only be for a couple of weeks, then I would be back to day shift.”

James would go on to work third shift for 34 years. He was a radiographer for the first nine years, then became a supervisor for the next 25. His transition into his current role brought him back to first shift.

After working so many years in the shipyard, James cited his favorite memory as simply the people he’s worked with.

“The group I work with right now is a good bunch of guys,” he said. “I just enjoy working with people.”

This “good bunch of guys,” led by Alex Ranger (E37), took action a couple of years ago and dedicated their workspace in Bldg. 167 – where James has worked for 63 of his 65 years – as the “Milton James Center of Excellence,” complete with a placard at their entryway.

“They sprang it on me one day,” James said. “Alex came in one day and just said ‘Look what we got you!’ Then a couple of the guys grabbed a drill and attached it to the door. I’m proud of that.”

James said he has no immediate plans to leave, but retirement is closer than it has been before.

“What’s kept me here is that I like what I do, and I work with great people,” James said. “Things get crazy sometimes, but I love them. They keep me coming in every day.”