By Rick Burke, Navy Office of Community Outreach
Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tim Miller
BATH, Maine – A 1976 Conneaut High School graduate and Conneaut, Ohio, native plays a key role in supporting the next generation of U.S. Navy destroyers.
Richard Rood works as a chief information officer for the Department of Defense supporting future guided-missile destroyers with Supervisor of Shipbuilding (SUPSHIP) Bath, Maine. He is a subject matter expert in information assurance policy and is responsible for the oversight and compliance management of the Cyber Security Department and Information Technology Operations commands.
“The people I work with are very professional and there is great camaraderie amongst us,” said Rood. “You succeed or fail as team.”
U.S. Navy sailors and government civilians oversee the design and construction of of the newest ships joining the fleet. Once these ships get underway, SUPSHIP Bath employees also oversee the post shakedown availabilities to ensure all systems are ready to support the Navy the nation needs.
Arleigh Burke class destroyers are equipped with the Navy’s Combat System, the world’s foremost integrated naval weapon system, according to Navy officials. These ships are capable of linking radars from across an area of operations to provide a comprehensive picture, effectively increasing the battle space. This capability is designed to provide the Navy with a fighting edge.
Zumwalt class destroyers have advanced technologies in every area – engines, power systems, weapons systems, shipboard electronics and sensors -- making it one of the world’s most capable ships, Navy officials explained. When at sea, the Zumwalt class will perform a variety of missions, including attacking targets on land with gunfire and cruise missiles, hunting and tracking submarines, airspace surveillance and supporting special operations forces, like Navy SEALS.
"Our sailors and civilians play a key role in our mission to oversee the construction of Navy ships on our waterfronts," said Capt. Joseph Tuite, SUPSHIP Bath commanding officer. "They are an integral part of our team that ensures the Navy receives high-quality, affordable and capable war ships."
Rood has carried lessons learned from his hometown working with both the military and Department of Defense.
“I had a troubled youth growing up so I decided to get away and join the military,” said Rood. “I’ve been away from home almost my whole life, but now since I'm getting ready to retire, I’m looking forward to moving back home to fish and tell sea stories.”
Rood, who served in the military for a combined 10 years, first served in the Navy for five years as an aircraft mechanic on board an aircraft carrier and thereafter, the Air Force for five years as an agent for a special investigation unit.
Rood has ties with family members who previously served in the military and is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My uncle, Earl Hopkins, retired as a commander with 33 years of service,” said Rood. “My son-in-law, Barry Bertolasio, served as a hospital corpsman with Seal Team 8 and my brother, Robert Rood, and his wife, Guadalupe, are both retired chief petty officers.
Rood’s proudest accomplishments is receiving the Meritorious Civilian Service Award and Patriot Award.
“I am honored to receive these awards. The Meritorious Service award is the second highest award and medal provided to civilian employees of the U.S. Federal Government and the Patriot Award, honors supervisors for their superior support of guard and reserve employees,” added Rood.
Being a supporting member for the Navy’s newest ships, Rood and other members know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“The moral and values learned from serving in the military has helped me become a better person and supervisor,” said Rood. “I have done and seen things in my life that very few people see. The military has instilled in me traits that has helped me throughout my DOD career.”
“The people I work with are very professional and there is great camaraderie amongst us,” said Rood. “You succeed or fail as team.”
U.S. Navy sailors and government civilians oversee the design and construction of of the newest ships joining the fleet. Once these ships get underway, SUPSHIP Bath employees also oversee the post shakedown availabilities to ensure all systems are ready to support the Navy the nation needs.
Arleigh Burke class destroyers are equipped with the Navy’s Combat System, the world’s foremost integrated naval weapon system, according to Navy officials. These ships are capable of linking radars from across an area of operations to provide a comprehensive picture, effectively increasing the battle space. This capability is designed to provide the Navy with a fighting edge.
Zumwalt class destroyers have advanced technologies in every area – engines, power systems, weapons systems, shipboard electronics and sensors -- making it one of the world’s most capable ships, Navy officials explained. When at sea, the Zumwalt class will perform a variety of missions, including attacking targets on land with gunfire and cruise missiles, hunting and tracking submarines, airspace surveillance and supporting special operations forces, like Navy SEALS.
"Our sailors and civilians play a key role in our mission to oversee the construction of Navy ships on our waterfronts," said Capt. Joseph Tuite, SUPSHIP Bath commanding officer. "They are an integral part of our team that ensures the Navy receives high-quality, affordable and capable war ships."
Rood has carried lessons learned from his hometown working with both the military and Department of Defense.
“I had a troubled youth growing up so I decided to get away and join the military,” said Rood. “I’ve been away from home almost my whole life, but now since I'm getting ready to retire, I’m looking forward to moving back home to fish and tell sea stories.”
Rood, who served in the military for a combined 10 years, first served in the Navy for five years as an aircraft mechanic on board an aircraft carrier and thereafter, the Air Force for five years as an agent for a special investigation unit.
Rood has ties with family members who previously served in the military and is honored to carry on the family tradition.
“My uncle, Earl Hopkins, retired as a commander with 33 years of service,” said Rood. “My son-in-law, Barry Bertolasio, served as a hospital corpsman with Seal Team 8 and my brother, Robert Rood, and his wife, Guadalupe, are both retired chief petty officers.
Rood’s proudest accomplishments is receiving the Meritorious Civilian Service Award and Patriot Award.
“I am honored to receive these awards. The Meritorious Service award is the second highest award and medal provided to civilian employees of the U.S. Federal Government and the Patriot Award, honors supervisors for their superior support of guard and reserve employees,” added Rood.
Being a supporting member for the Navy’s newest ships, Rood and other members know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes providing the Navy the nation needs.
“The moral and values learned from serving in the military has helped me become a better person and supervisor,” said Rood. “I have done and seen things in my life that very few people see. The military has instilled in me traits that has helped me throughout my DOD career.”