Hi everyone, it’s Kevin. Today is Wednesday, October 27th (date recorded).
As you well know, the federal government recently released COVID-19 Workplace Safety Guidance, which includes a COVID-19 vaccination mandate for all employees of covered federal contractors. For those of us here at EB, that mandate becomes effective when our direct customer—the Navy—provides us with contractual modifications that require us to implement it.
While I know the lack of clarity is frustrating for some, I also recognize that implementing the mandate before it is necessary could be disruptive to some of you and to our business. Therefore, we have chosen to stay the course and not implement a vaccine mandate at EB until we have further clarification from the government. We are working with the Navy to get that.
For those already vaccinated, I thank you for taking action to protect yourself and others. If you are not yet vaccinated, I urge you to do so. After you have been vaccinated, please send an email to proofofcovidvaccination@gdeb.com with your name and badge number in the subject line. Please attach a valid proof of vaccination, like a scanned image of a vaccine card or medical record. Having this information on file will make implementing a mandate much smoother when the time comes.
Medical experts, including our own doctors, say that being vaccinated provides protection against potential infection with COVID-19 and lowers the likelihood of serious illness or hospitalization if you do get a breakthrough infection. To date, more than 414 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been given in the United States. According to the CDC, these vaccines are safe and effective, and meet the Food and Drug Administration’s rigorous scientific standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality needed to support approval or authorization of a vaccine.
In the very early stages of the pandemic, we stood up a COVID task force, which was a cross-functional team including representatives from across the company. This team is still working and has acquired sufficient stock of vaccines and has plans in place to ensure we can move out quickly when and if the mandate is invoked. These plans include making provisions for religious and medical exemptions. In a while, Andrew Bond from Human Resources will provide some additional details on those exemptions.
We will provide more information about when and how our rollout will be put in motion. I recognize there are timelines for the various vaccines, and depending on the vaccine you choose, we are at or nearing the date to receive your first shot. We will determine deadlines when we receive Navy direction.
I’ve received messages from many of you about your concerns about what the coming weeks will bring. Throughout the pandemic, my guiding principle, and that of the EB senior leadership team, has been consistent—keep everyone as safe as we reasonably can while staying focused on designing, building and maintaining the submarines our nation needs. To date, we have worked together to keep our workforce safe and achieve our mission, and our intention is to continue this principle-guided approach.
Thank you for your continued focus on our mission. 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.
