US Navy RHO/RS Retired Affairs

Navy RHO/RS Retired Affairs

CDR Gary Williams

CDR(ret) Williams on the beach

Contact Information:

Gary E. Williams

gary.williams3@med.va.gov

(501) 257-1572

Accomplishments During Service:

Learned some health physics and survival skills from mentors (Beckner, Beuchler, Enge, Groves, Knight, and Murrell).

Shared some health physics and survival skills with colleagues (Dunn, Germes, Long, and Ramsey).

Visited, inspected, or supported all major ship platforms (carriers, tenders, submarines, battleships, cruisers, hospital ships, logistics ships, etc.) and many specialized shore facilities (shipyards, weapons stations, security groups, communication stations, clinics and hospitals, research laboratories, etc.).

Had an interesting tender tour (e.g., first steam generator for overseas-deployed tender, beginning of drug screening programs, rebirth of dosimetry for weapons workers, and introduction to a wide-range of public health and industrial hygiene issues).

Participated in the initial cadre of medical inspectors for nuclear weapons program and coordinated Pacific inspections from 1987 to 1991.

Served as specialty advisor during Summer 1985 and executive assistant for flag officer billet for six months in 1986.

Decommissioned old hospital buildings in San Diego and help establish radiation safety program for new hospital and drug screening laboratory.

Helped implement medical department support for environmental cleanup and risk communication training.

RHO assignments included:

Commands	Dates
NEHC, Norfolk	6/91 to 11/94
Naval Hospital San Diego	10/86 to 5/91
BUMED	4/83 to 9/86
Naval Hospital, Charleston	8/80 to 4/83
University of Cincinnati	7/79 to 7/80
NEHC, Cincinnati	4/77 to 6/79
USS Holland (AS 32)	4/75 to 3/77
Initial orientation and training	1/75 to 3/75

Awards:

Sea Service Ribbon, Unit Commendation, Battle “E”, NCM, and MSM

Accomplishments Since Retirement:

1994 to 1997: Public health support for Pantex Plant, Amarillo, Texas, by assignment on the EIS Team, working on radiation safety projects, preparing participants and posters for public meetings, coordinating the public health assessment, and supervising environmental monitoring.

1997 to 1999: Radiation Safety Officer at VA hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas.

1999 to present: Health physicist for VA National Health Physics Program in North Little Rock, Arkansas.

Words of Wisdom:

I had two primary goals for a Navy career. The first was to have fun and participate as much as possible in military-unique projects. The second was to have an opportunity to return home to Arkansas. The first 10 years offered many unique military experiences and opportunities, though the last 10 years tended to be more about bureaucratic turf battles and careerism. Overall, I achieved my goals.

A word of wisdom about the nature of the bureaucratic processes we engage in on a continuing basis is that the processes often have value to the participants much beyond any common sense or technical merit. As an example, the VA effort to obtain a master materials license is slowly progressing though is having to address the same issues and suffer through similar redundant meetings and application revisions as did the Navy those many years ago. The NRC faces are different; their need for working through the process is as strong as ever.

Commands

Dates