Hi everyone, it’s Kevin. Today is Thursday, May 27.
It’s been about a week since we’ve begun the transition back to what life was like before COVID – vaccinated people can now remove masks in most outdoor and indoor settings. Personally, seeing many of you without a mask for the first time in a long time, feels a little strange – in a good way – and has done a lot to lift my spirit. I sense the same from most of the people I have had the opportunity to interact with. As a reminder to those of you who have not been vaccinated, our clinics have supplies of vaccines for you and your family members. Simply call and make an appointment and please remember to report your vaccine.
We are heading into Memorial Day weekend, and I hope you will all be able to take some time to relax and enjoy the unofficial start of summer with family and friends. We’re in a much better position than we were at this time last year. I also hope you will take a moment to reflect on the debt we owe to our fellow Americans who lost their lives in the defense of the freedoms we all enjoy.
Memorial Day honors those who’ve given the last full measure of devotion to their fellow brothers and sisters and to our nation. Like hundreds of us at EB, I consider myself fortunate to have worn our nation’s cloth. I’m proud of my service in our Navy and I am just as proud to contribute my time, energy and talent today as a shipbuilder. In my view, along with anyone who wears an EB badge, we are all serving our nation in a role whose importance cannot be understated. We provide our sailors an advantage in the undersea domain, by designing, building and maintaining the most sophisticated machine ever built.
Shipbuilding is an important vocation, and one that only a tiny fraction of our society has the privilege of pursuing. There are 17,500 of us here at EB – and what we build ensures the safety and security of more than 350,000,000 Americans as well as countless millions of others around the world who our Navy helps to defend.
Over the past several weeks, we have hosted some of the Navy’s most senior officers – Vice Admiral Daryl Caudle, who just transitioned from the role of Commander Submarine Forces and Admiral William Houston, who succeeds him. The message from these leaders is clear – we face consistent threats from our adversaries. Both view EB-built submarines as critically important, and we owe them our very best.
As Memorial Day approaches, please take a moment to remember and appreciate those who were lost, helping to secure a stronger, safer country. And we should never forget, every time we walk through the gates here at EB, there are precious few of us entrusted with delivering the advantage that helps protect our sailors, our families and our freedom.
Enjoy the long weekend and we’ll talk again soon.
MDA Apprenticeship Application Now Open
Application Window: August 1, 2026 – August 31, 2026 The MDA Apprenticeship Program is a four-year initiative designed to develop a highly skilled workforce for Electric Boat. This program provides three years of on‑the‑job training alongside qualified subject matter experts, combined with classroom instruction across various technical disciplines. Participants gain advanced skills, broaden their expertise, and...Continue reading→
Building 600 Tech Stop Relocation
On Monday, August 3, 2026, Facilities will be relocating the Tech Stop currently located in Building 600 4th Floor East to its new location in Building 130-01 Classroom 7. During this time, please utilize the alternate Tech Stop location: B708 (625 Long Hill Road) Hours: Monday – Friday: 7:00 am – 3:00 pm The tech stop will resume...Continue reading→
A Message From Mark Rayha: Historic Contracts/Rayha Report
Today marks one of the most significant moments in Electric Boat’s history. As part of its $76.6 billion submarine contract announcement, the U.S. Navy has awarded Electric Boat ship construction contracts valued at $29.5 billion for five Columbia-class submarines and $42.1 billion for nine Virginia-class submarines, along with incentives for shipyard infrastructure. Click here to read the...Continue reading→
Electric Boat featured in latest episode of ‘Cast in Steel’
General Dynamics Electric Boat is featured in the latest episode of Cast in Steel, a web series that showcases the leaders of America’s steel industry as part of their competition to promote careers in metalworking. The Cast in Steel team visited our Quonset Point facility to highlight how EB’s shipbuilders transform flat steel into nuclear...Continue reading→
EB’s Groton Shipyard Celebrates 100 Years of Submarine Construction
The first submarine ever built in Electric Boat’s Groton shipyard slid gracefully from its ways into the Thames River 100 years ago, taking to the water with “scarcely a splash” before a crowd of 1,500, according to newspaper accounts at the time. A century after the 800-ton, 200-foot-long R2 was launched, EB shipbuilders continue to...Continue reading→
President Trump Gives Our Submarines a Shoutout at Pennsylvania Innovation and Defense Summit
During his remarks at the Pennsylvania Innovation and Defense Summit held on July 15 at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, PA, President Donald Trump introduced attendee Danny Deep, president of General Dynamics. In his quick words to Danny, President Trump recognized General Dynamics for building “the greatest submarines in the world.” Continue reading→
Rayha Report Ep. 23: Matt Olander Honored by UConn College of Engineering
In this episode of the Rayha Report, EB President Mark Rayha speaks with Matt Olander, senior vice president of programs and engineering, about his personal career journey and recent return to UConn’s College of Engineering as an honorary degree recipient and 2026 commencement speaker. Watch Matt’s commencement speech on the UConn College of Engineering YouTube channel.Continue reading→
Rayha Report Ep. 22: Run to Home Base 2026
In his latest Rayha Report, EB President Mark Rayha talks with Run to Home Base co-chair Tammee Sweck and runners Amy and Greyson Stephenson about why this annual fundraiser means so much to our veterans, service members, and their families. Learn how Team General Dynamics is preparing for the July 25 event at Fenway Park...Continue reading→
Rayha Report Ep. 21: Backstage With Chris Stapleton
In the latest Rayha Report, EB President Mark Rayha hit the road for a backstage chat with American singer-songwriter and guitarist Chris Stapleton. Chris is not only an extraordinary artist, but someone whose values resonate deeply with the people of Electric Boat: pride in craftsmanship, respect for hard work and a genuine love for this...Continue reading→
Happy Fourth of July
As America marks its 250th birthday, we celebrate the generations of shipbuilders whose skill and commitment have strengthened our nation, and especially thank our current generation of EB shipbuilders for all you’re doing to meet this challenging moment in history. Happy Fourth of July.
