The old phrase “those who can, do; those who can’t, teach” has no place at Newport News Shipbuilding. Each month, the shipyard recognizes shipbuilders with at least 20 years tenure through Long Service. NNS relies on these shipbuilders to execute their jobs with the highest possible quality, but also share their knowledge and experience with the younger workforce.

Vernon Ralph Jr. (X32) takes this charge to heart, as does his son Brennan Ralph (O26).

Throughout his 41-year career as a shipbuilder, Vernon has worked a sheet metal press, making him an expert in his craft.

“When I came in at 18,” Vernon said, “my mindset was to do better than the specialists who were here. After two or three years, folks were requesting that I pressed their jobs. That was my intention when I started.”

With his success, Vernon leaned in to teaching other craftsmen how he approaches his work each day. “The shipyard has allowed me to provide for my family, but also to train other people in the kind of work I do. When I train people, they become a reflection of me and how I work – with pride and integrity. I love when shipbuilders get their own machine and press a job. Someone will say, ‘This must be Ralph’s work,’ but it was actually someone who I trained.”

Brennan remembers being a kid seeing his dad’s workplace in Bldg. 205 years ago during Family Day.

“I knew I wanted to be a shipbuilder then,” he said. After being a contractor, Brennan joined the refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) program at NNS in 2012. “The shipyard has been providing for me for a long time. My dad provided for me, and now I provide for my own family.”

In 2023, Brennan experienced a full-circle moment when he was able to bring his family into the gates for the most recent Family Day. “They loved the little hard hats and crane simulation, and told me that they want to be a crane operator like me,” he said.

Brennan is now working for O26 as a product trainer, sharing the knowledge he gained over the last 13 years on the deck plate. In fact, he carries that same passion for education as his father. He recalls learning how to serve others while attending church, where Vernon was president of the ushers’ board.

“There’s a certain joy in seeing people who you taught succeed, and some go on to do even better than you did,” Brennan said. Outside of the gates, Brennan mentors children as a football coach.

Vernon anticipates retiring in approximately two years, but plans to stay busy with his church and grandchildren, ages 8, 6 and 4.

He has also recently adopted a new hobby that he plans to spend much of his time doing.

“Fishing,” Vernon said. “I’m afraid of water. For so many years, my cousin has been trying to get me out there. Maybe a year and a half ago, he called me up to ask again. I went out the following Saturday morning, and now I want to go out every Saturday morning. I can’t believe my fear of water kept me from something like that for so long.”