High Speed Race Track on a Carrier? Say what?!?!

So we're all huge fans of our U.S. Navy, right?  And who doesn't love a fast car that handles well???  If you haven't already seen this awesome clip, you'll want to watch it....again and again,  Enjoy!!!

A message of thanks from our President and CEO

Fellow Valkyrians,

Do you recall this past Spring when you were asked to take an online survey for the “Best Places to Work in Hampton Roads” competition? 

Inside Business announced the honorees last week at a luncheon held at The Westin and Valkyrie was named the #2 mid-sized company to work for in the area!  THANK YOU for taking the time to participate and submit your responses.  As a result of the positive feedback received, Inside Business created a special recognition category this year and honored 3 companies.  Valkyrie was one of them. 

The feedback that you all provided led the judges to name Valkyrie as an “Employee Choice” Honorable Mention Company!  I am humbled and honored by the responses that were submitted.  And what I’m most excited about is the passion with which the responses were written.  Please take the time to read the attachments.

When I set out to create this company, I always knew I had to hire top-tier talent.  You’ve heard me say it time and again:  We Hire the Best to be the Best.  And by now, you know that it’s not just a slogan; it really is the very foundation of our corporate culture.  I don’t take my job as President and CEO lightly; I know that there are  225 families who count on the decisions that we make and I am aware of that each day. 

Again, I thank each and every one of you for what you bring to the Valkyrie team.  Keep up the great work!!!

All the best,

Gary

P.S.  To our corporate partners who subscribe to our blog, thank YOU all for your role in our success as well!

Update!

Just a follow-up to our June 30 post.  Photos from NAVSEA have made their way to us and we are able to share pictures that were taken at the June 23 event held at the Washington Navy Yard.  

If you missed it, be sure to check out the original post!

   

The Honorable Juan Garcia III, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, pins the medals on Mike (above) and Chuck (below).  Admiral Hilarides, Commander, NAVSEA, awards Mike and Chuck with their certificates.

Helpful reminders to stay safe online and check your credit report

Wi-Fi hotspots in coffee shops, retail shops, airports, libraries, and on educational campuses are often very convenient, but they aren't always secure.

Here's a link to some tips that will help keep your information safe when using wireless hotspots while out and about.

It's a quick read that will prepare you from that convenient, free Wi-Fi connection costing you more than you'd ever imagined!

Nobody ever wants to have to deal with identity theft.  Speaking of which, don't forget to take advantage of your three free annual credit reports.  For more information or to request your copies, visit: http://www.usa.gov/topics/money/credit/credit-reports/bureaus-scoring.shtml or https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action

A brief look at the LCS program

In a recent post by RDML Brian Antonio, Program Executive Officer, Littoral Combat Ships, he gives a brief look into many recent LCS program accomplishments.

As it stands, 20 ships are now either in service, under construction, or on contract.  Yes, twenty!

Read more about what he had to say.  And click on the video below for an in-depth look at LCS.

The Warrior Games: Team Navy Announced

This Fall, two Paralympic-like competitions will be taking place.  The 2014 Warrior Games will be held from September 28-October 4 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and the INVICTUS Games, an international athletic competition for wounded warriors hosted by the U.K.'s Prince Harry, will be taking place in London September 10-14.

To read more and to see the roster, click here.

Washington Navy Yard Honors Shooting Victims, Co-workers

On Monday, June 23, Secretary of the Navy, Ray Mabus, spoke at a Navy Yard ceremony held to honor the nine men and three women who died on September 16, 2013, as well as to honor the courage and sacrifice of numerous others, after a contractor entered the base and opened fire.

Valkyrians Mike Lombardo and Chuck Irwin were among those who were awarded Civilian Service awards and medals for their actions during the course of the tragic day.

Congratulations and thank you, Mike and Chuck; your Valkyrie family is beyond proud of you.

Mike Lombardo, NoVa Division Mgr.

Chuck Irwin, Senior Consulting Manager

RIMPAC Begins Today

RIMPAC, the world's largest maritime exercise, begins today.  More than 25,000 service members from 22 nations helped kick off the 24th Rim of the Pacific exercise.

To read Vice Adm. Kenneth Floyd's RIMPAC post, click here.

Newly Retired Veteran's Home Remodeled for Him While He Was Stationed Overseas

http://abc13.com/news/friends-and-volunteers-refurbish-combat-veterans-home/138388/

Inside Combat Rescue

Have you seen National Geographic's show "Inside Combat Rescue"?!  Wow....

We're a little late in finding this gem, but better late than never.  And thankfully, videos are available for viewing via the show's website and there's a lot of information on their Facebook page, too.

The Air Force has offered an unprecedented look behind the scenes of the elite Combat Rescue members of the U.S. Air Force, Pararescuemen, or PJs.  Their mission: to rescue American or Allied forces in extreme danger.

Nat Geo takes viewers inside the harrowing world of brave pararescue airmen on the front lines of Afghanistan.  They put their lives on the line so, as their motto states, "that others may live."

Sometimes it's easy to take what we have for granted.  Watching these two clips, we hope you'll find a reignited appreciation for those who serve and we're sure you're already a patriot, but we hope you also sense a slightly deeper appreciation for our great nation.

Show Trailer

Inside Combat Rescue Deleted Scene:  For Fallen Soldiers