PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Two Virginia National Guard Soldiers currently on federal active duty overseas providing contract support received months of required real-world experience with the Norfolk Naval Shipyard prior to their deployment, and they were recognized for their outstanding service in May 2019.
Staff Sgt. Tina M. Jaurequi and Sgt. Kayla V. Modic, assigned to the VirginiabBeach-based 1945th Contracting Team, 329th Regional Support Group, were recognized in a small ceremony May 3, 2019, at the NNSY to recognize their achievements. Modic and Jaurequi, along with key members of Code 400, were awarded for their professionalism and dedication to the NNSY mission during the unique partnership. From July 30, 2018 to May 24, 2019, the NNSY welcomed the two Soldiers into their ranks, providing them with the training and experience needed for their service.
“Modic and Jaurequi came to us with little experience in our field, hitting the ground running and showing how dedicated and professional they were,” said Bradford A. Crosby, NNSY chief of contracting. “In the months they were with us, they completed numerous resident courses, completed all their contracting classes, and took on project after project in assisting with America’s Shipyard. It has been an absolute pleasure having them onboard and they have truly become part of our Code 400 family. I’m proud of what these two have accomplished and proud of where their career will take them.”
“Everything you have done has made a difference. A big difference,” said Col. Doyle Gillis, Jr., commander of the 329th RSG. “What you’ve done for our Soldiers, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the country is prepare a small group of folks for their next steps in service. We had members from the Virginia National Guard working directly with the civilians. They learned from each other and worked seamlessly together in this unique partnership.”
Gillis presented the Virginia Army National Guard Commendation Medal to Crosby, as well as other members of Code 400. Crosby and Navy Capt. James Mosman, production resource officer, presented Modic and Jaurequi with a certificate of appreciation in recognition and appreciation for their contribution to the contracting department and NNSY’s mission. Both Soldiers also received an aerial photo of the NNSY with the signatures and well wishes of the employees with whom they worked.
“Mr. Brad Crosby and other NNSY leadership were instrumental in the successful training of two National Guard Soldiers in the contracting career field preparing them for their 2019 -2020 mobilization in support of the 408th Contracting Battalion, U.S. Army Central,” said Lt. Col. Matthew D. Way, commander of the Virginia Beach-based 1940th and 1945th Contract Teams. “We humbly asked for their assistance and instead of finding excuses on why this could not work, Crosby and his team embraced our Soldiers and made this relationship work. Crosby’s staff welcomed our two school-trained, but inexperienced, contract specialists with open arms and served as day-to-day mentors resulting in their increased readiness for their deployment.”
“Working in Code 400 under the Industrial Ship Repair Division with the Norfolk Naval Shipyard was an incredible experience,” said Jaurequi. “In support of their mission, I had the opportunity to work on two large, sole-source cost reimbursement contracts valued at over $140 million. I created multiple modifications to task orders and modifications valued over $300 thousand.”
“Partnering with Norfolk Naval Shipyard helped me grow as a contract specialist both personally and professionally,” said Modic. “Without the training with NNSY, the classroom knowledge would have never clicked. Having the experience from the shipyard as a contract specialist puts me in unique position to be well rounded and understand all facets of the contracts themselves.”
Modic and Jaurequi are deployed with three other members of the Virginia National Guard- Maj. Nate Seymour, Maj. Shyra Cullins, and Sgt. 1st Class Steve Slater. The five-Soldier team is deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility where they support all Army contracting in the region. They are providing contracting support for deployed units, acquiring goods, services and minor construction from the commercial sector, stateside or overseas. The team is now approximately two months into a nine-month deployment.
A contracting team deployment is not your typical deployment, said Seymour.
“The 1945th CT was told prior to deployment that team integrity would not be maintained, at least on the mission execution level,” he said. “Each Soldier was hand selected to fill their position.”
According to Seymour, Cullins is the contracting operations chief for the Regional Contracting Center in Kuwait. She is tasked with supporting all information technology and logistical support contracts throughout Southwest Asia as well as all Army communications contracts in Central Asia. Cullins is overseeing contracts that are valued well over $1 billion.
Seymour, Slater and Modic are supporting the Logistics Civilian Augmentation Program. According to Seymour, this is a multi-billion dollar worldwide contract. The 1945th CT is supporting Task Order 0009 which includes the Arabian Peninsula and is currently valued over $250 million.
Seymour is the administration contract officer who manages LOGCAP IV in the Arabian Penisula.
Slater is currently assigned to Camp Redleg, United Arab Emirates. where he serves as the quality assurance specialist and also provides contract administrative support.
Modic is also a quality assurance specialist and is responsible for multiple locations in Kuwait.
Jaurequi is a quality assurance specialist for the Army Prepositioned Stock contract.
The 1945th CT obtained federal recognition July 21, 2009, and previously deployed to Afghanistan in 2014.
The 1945th CT is one of two contracting teams in the Virginia Army National Guard. The 1940th CT is also based in Virginia Beach and scheduled to deploy in 2021.
Story contributions from Kristi Britt, NNSY Public Affairs