Naval Support Activity Philadelphia

Thank you to everyone who came out to support this inaugural installation-wide talent show May 20 and to all of the participants who shared their incredible talents on stage. The event showcased the creativity, diversity, and spirit of our workforce community across the installation.

Congratulations to this year’s winners:

🥇 First Place: Jay Ko, Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) — for an impressive performance reciting the Declaration of Independence while juggling.

🥈 Second Place: Lily Heinemann, DLA Troop Support Medical — for a captivating Irish dance performance.

🥉 Third Place: Sharon Boyle, NSA Child & Youth Programs — for a memorable and entertaining vocal performance inspired by a Jersey Shore seagull.

🎤 Fourth Place: Kadeem Dwyer, DLA Troop Support Capital Equipment — for a standout comedy routine.

The first-place winner received a $200 prize in tickets of their choice from the Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Ticket Office.

Events like this highlight the talent, camaraderie, and strong sense of community that make NSA Philadelphia such a special place to work and serve.

Congratulations again to all participants, and thank you to MWR for putting it on and everyone who helped make the first NSA Philadelphia’s Got Talent a success.

Now is the time to start prepping your routine, because we’re already looking forward to next year’s show!

📷: Courtesy of Kathleen McKenney

Earlier this month, at the beginning of a Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Public Works Department Pennsylvania (PWD-PA) safety day, Michael McVey, Michael Szostek, Keith Esbensen, and Nicholas Buccieri Jr. were presented the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award for their life-saving actions during a medical emergency at Naval Support Activity Philadelphia. Buccieri could not be present for the ceremony but was recognized before his peers.

On Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in the midst of the city’s first major snow event of the season, NAVFAC crews were conducting snow-clearing operations to ensure the installation would be safe and mission ready for employees arriving Monday morning when one of their own, Russ Taylor, experienced a sudden medical emergency.

What happened next was immediate.

Crew members recognized something was wrong and sprang into action without hesitation. One employee ran for an automated external defibrillator (AED) while others began rendering aid, calling 911, and coordinating emergency response efforts. Working together under pressure, the team rotated through CPR and chest compressions while administering shocks with the AED until first responders arrived on scene.

According to the award citations, the employees’ “rapid recognition of an unusual health emergency event, immediate engagement and activation of necessary resources” directly contributed to “a successful discharge from the hospital, and a life saved.”

The citations also noted that the men’s actions reflected their “commitment to the health, safety, and well-being of our most valuable resources – our people.”

Though recovery has taken time, Taylor was back with his team May 6 at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, smiling as he personally presented the awards alongside Public Works Officer Lt. Cdr. JJ Kwasny.

After embracing each recipient, Taylor told the crowd, “If I had been anywhere else on the planet this wouldn’t have worked. I’m here today because of all of you.”

The ceremony served as both a recognition of heroism and a reminder of the importance of training, teamwork, and looking out for one another which represent values that remain central to the Navy team both on and off the job.

During the ceremony, several members of the workforce were also recognized for their years of federal service. Resident Officer in Charge of Construction (ROICC) Lt. Cdr. Jesse An presented Matthew McGovern with a 15-year service award and Kleisley Sime with a 10-year service award. Kwasny presented John Ciurlino and John Janda with 15-year service awards, as well as Robert Pettinelli and Donald Weidman with 10-year service awards.

Base personnel gathered at Naval Support Activity Philadelphia for the annual Armed Forces 5K May 13, recognizing the continued service and commitment of the men and women of the United States Armed Forces.

Events like the Armed Forces 5K reinforce the importance of physical readiness, resilience, and teamwork across the force while bringing the installation community together in support of those who serve.

Thank you to everyone who participated and thanks to MWR for putting on the successful event. 🇺🇸

📷: Courtesy of Kathleen McKenney

After 18 years in the Navy, five deployments, and visits to 21 countries, Operations Specialist First Class Da’wan Randleman was named Sailor of the Year for both NSA Mechanicsburg and NSA Philadelphia.

“I was surprised; I was shocked, really,” Randleman said.

As part of that recognition, he was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

Randleman wears many hats. He is the Command Managed Equal Opportunity Program Manager, the Leading Petty Officer responsible for Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems (CUAS) Monitor for NSA Philadelphia working with the NINJA System, and he oversees NSA Philadelphia’s Maintenance and Material Management (3M) program.

“My father was prior Army, so I was supposed to go Army. I talked to the Army recruiter, but he kept trying to force me so fast. I wanted to try something different. My cousin served in the Navy, and one of my good friends served, so I got good feedback, so I decided to sign up with the Navy,” he said.

He is about to leave NSA Philadelphia for the USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), but has enjoyed his time with the command. He chose this duty station because it brought him closer to his family. Originally from Newark, New Jersey, he has appreciated not having to take long flights home.

Reflecting on his time in the Navy, Randleman says the travel and experiences have been the most rewarding. In those many deployments and country visits, he counts his port call in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as the best experience of them all.

He believes his work ethic contributed to his selection, along with his ability to apply lessons learned from his time on ships to his current command.

His role as the LPO working in CUAS required him to learn a completely new skill on a completely new system, and to help the Sailors in his charge do the same. “With everything going on in the world with drones, it has really been challenging knowing the ins and outs. There’s a lot that goes into it. A lot of people think we just stand 12-hour shifts, but in the snap of a finger anything can happen,” he said.

As the CMEO, Randleman has served as a first stop for Sailors with grievances or complaints. It has been his job to elevate concerns as appropriate, which has reinforced the need for courage as a leader. “Have the courage to speak up, but being respectful when you speak up,” he said.

Command Master Chief Scott Reed highlighted this quality as something that sets Randleman apart. “He’s easily approachable to junior Sailors. I’d tell his next command that they are getting a good 1st Class with an ear to the deckplate. He will know what’s going on with the Sailors, and he will be able to give you the pulse of how the Sailors are feeling.”

To that end, Randleman offers this advice to junior Sailors who aspire to be named Sailor of the Year, “You can make mistakes. I made mistakes, but I had to learn from those experiences. No one’s going to be perfect. Take your time, don’t try to force things. Things won’t be handed to you, you have to do the work. Don’t let down moments get the worst of you.”

Outside of work, Randleman enjoys reading, with mystery fiction as his genre of choice, and running. His mother runs marathons, and it is a goal of his to one day run a marathon alongside her. He also hopes to retire from the Navy and purchase a home of his own.

Professionally, Randleman aspires to make board for Chief Petty Officer in the next year. Until then, he keeps putting in the work and staying motivated, abiding by the lesson of his favorite Denzel Washington quote: “You pray for rain, you gotta deal with the mud too. That's a part of it.”

Reed summarized why Randleman was the right choice simply, “He’s a well-rounded 1st Class. He’s a good leader, he’s a good watch-stander, and a good program manager.”

Mark your calendars for this free opportunity to learn about how to support your military child's academics through moves and transitions.

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School Liaison Virtual Lunch & Learn for Military Families: What is the Military Interstate Children’s Compact?

Who: Military families of all branches to include Guard and Reserve
Date: Wednesday, 13 May 2026
Time: 11am – 12pm Eastern

Register and submit questions in advance to be answered during the webinar.