PASCAGOULA, Miss., April  27, 2024  (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HII's (NYSE: HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division hosted an inaugural Scout merit badge day, fostering the next generation of leaders while nurturing the values of hard work, dedication, commitment, and community engagement, shared by both shipbuilding and Scouting.

"We were thrilled to host our first merit badge day at Ingalls and to have the opportunity to nurture the skills and values of these young boys and girls enrolled in scout programs," Ingalls Shipbuilding Community Relations Manager Lisa Bradley said. "Through initiatives like the Scout merit badge day, we aim to inspire and support the next generation of shipbuilders."

The event, held at the Ingalls Shipbuilding Maritime Training Academy, welcomed over 100 Scouts and Scout leaders from across the Gulf Coast region, offering them the opportunity to choose from eight areas of interest and earn two badges. Each Scout participated in two merit badge classes of their choice ranging from engineering, drafting, fire safety, painting, plumbing, communications, electricity and electronics.

Eagle Scout and Ingalls Shipbuilding Vice President of Quality and Engineering Brian Blanchette also expressed enthusiasm for the event and the values of leadership and skill development exemplified by Scouting.

"As an engineer by trade and Eagle Scout, I can attest to how the core principles instilled in Scouting — such as teamwork, problem solving, and attention to detail — have prepared me for a successful career in shipbuilding," Blanchette said. "Today's event showcased how Scouting molds individuals into capable professionals ready to tackle any challenge, and I am proud to work for a company that believes in empowering our young Scouts."

As the largest manufacturing employer in Mississippi and with over 11,000 employees, Ingalls Shipbuilding is dedicated to fostering a culture of innovation, growth, and community engagement by investing in initiatives that support and inspire the leaders of tomorrow.