“I can tell you I’ve never been so scared in my life, but I’m forever grateful for the DDG that saved me.”
It's an emotional story for shipfitter foreman Todd Young, one that takes him back to when he was a soldier and his helicopter was shot down during a mission. The attack left him stranded in the Mediterranean Sea, approximately 16 miles from the coast.
“I spent a really uncomfortable amount of time in the dead of the night treading water,” recalled Todd. “Being in the pitch black, I definitely had thoughts that this could be it for me.”
Fortunately, Todd was rescued by a launch boat and brought aboard a DDG. The experience changed everything, making him more determined than ever to live each day to the fullest.
“The harsh reality of it all is not everyone made it that night,” said Todd. “Since that unforgettable night, my purpose has been honoring those lives lost. That’s what led me to Ingalls.”
While trying to figure out life after the military, Todd saw an Ingalls billboard in Alabama that caught his attention. It was more than just a sign on the interstate; it was a signal for what was next for him.
“I kept thinking to myself that there will be someone out there just like me who will depend on these ships one day,” said Todd. “I want to pay it forward for the next person who may be in that situation just like the shipbuilders who contributed to saving my life.”
Now going on 13 years at Ingalls, Todd works every day to ensure his team has everything needed to succeed. Because of his experience, he is able to relate just how important each of their jobs really are.
“Quality is everything. We need our ships to reach their full potential,” said Todd. “I make sure my team has what they need to make that happen because lives depend on it."
With the company’s mission aligning with his purpose as a shipbuilder, Todd uses his job as a daily reminder of what brought him here and why he’s committed to always do what is right for the warfighter.
"The shelf life of the ships we build here will far outlast me," said Todd. "I'm getting older, so I need to share my knowledge. The mission has to continue and help protect our freedom."