This year’s holiday season looks and feels different than ever before. While the holidays are typically stressful for many, COVID-19 has brought with it added pressure and worry that affects us all.
This year we saw family get-togethers and vacations cancelled, and social distancing become the new normal. We saw schools switch to virtual or part-time learning, causing added stress for parents and students as they had to adopt new and unfamiliar routines. We also saw businesses struggle or close, resulting in financial struggles for families throughout our community and nation. For many, having funds to purchase gifts for loved ones or to prepare a holiday meal this year will be difficult, if not impossible.
Despite all of the challenges brought on by COVID-19, we also saw people coming together to help others during this difficult time, raising money through fundraisers or donating to local food banks and shelters. There’s no doubt that there is a greater need than ever before to support one another and offer a helping hand to those who are struggling. With this in mind, the Electric Boat Fire Department rallied together this year, raising money to “adopt” families in need this holiday season.
This Adopt-A-Family effort was headed by EB Firefighters Doug Harreys and Stuart Coleman, who made it their mission to ensure families in our surrounding community experience cheer this holiday season. Over the course of two weeks, the EB Fire Department raised $4,500 by selling t-shirts on the EB Forum, social media and through word of mouth. With the money raised, they will adopt both EB families and families in the area, purchasing gifts and providing them with a meal they can cook and enjoy together. The money raised by the Fire Department is enough to adopt seven families for the holidays. Starting today, December 15, the gifts and meals will start being delivered to the families, ensuring all are delivered by December 22.
The EB Fire Department has demonstrated that we can create our own holiday spirit by understanding and relating to the struggles our fellow community members are facing, and bringing some hope to those most in need. Caring, celebrating and being there for others is one holiday tradition that COVID cannot take from us. Thank you to Doug Harreys, Stuart Coleman and the entire EB Fire Department for your efforts to bring comfort to those in need this holiday season.
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.
