New ROICC Leads Indian Head Team, Advances Key Munitions Modernization Project in Support of NAVFAC Washington Mission Readiness

INDIAN HEAD, Md. — Lt. Cmdr. Samuel Corey has taken the helm as Resident Officer in Charge of Construction (ROICC) at Naval Support Facility Indian Head. He brings 14 years of Civil Engineer Corps (CEC) experience to a role central to the Naval Facilities Engineering
Systems Command (NAVFAC) Washington’s mission readiness in support of the installation and Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Indian Head Division. Corey’s path to the CEC began in high school at Naval Activity Support Sigonella, Italy, where
an encounter with a CEC officer set his course.

“I pursued the military in order to serve my country, lead others and seek opportunity outside the traditional engineering roles available for young professionals,” he said.

That path took Corey through assignments with Naval Special Warfare Group TWO, NAVFAC Hawaii and U.S. Pacific Command, where he managed a $682 million unspecified minor military construction program spanning more than 75 projects across the Pacific area of responsibility.

Under his leadership, the ROICC Indian Head team has already delivered a major readiness milestone: the basis of design for the $1.1 million reconfiguration of the loading area at Building 1866 was completed July 30. The building, NSWC’s Large Rocket Motor and Warhead Casting
facility and primary assembly and fusing site, is a top priority under NSWC’s Energetics Comprehensive Modernization Plan.

The project removes existing pavement, regrades the loading pit and surrounding area and expands dock capacity to enable safer, more efficient transport of explosives -- directly strengthening NSWC production operations.

Corey said his priority is sharpening the team’s execution. “I intend to lead the team to function more effectively and efficiently through increased clarity of the mission and capability in their specific role and responsibility,” he said, adding that he sees his job as tying ROICC Indian
Head’s field-office successes to NAVFAC Washington’s regional priorities.

He credits his wife and their five children, along with running, reading and writing for keeping him grounded. Reflecting on leadership, Corey cited a quote from Henri Nouwen: “My whole life I have been complaining that my work was constantly interrupted, until I discovered that my
interruptions were my work.”

He noted, “I think that how I do something is as important as what I do.”