NSWC Dahlgren Division Work Inspires Sensor Engineer to Travel the World > Naval Sea Systems Command > Saved News Module

As a child, Jshuntume (JUN-way too-may well) McCollough traveled up and down the east coast, halting at different activities and places to conduct African dancing and drumming with his loved ones. Given that signing up for Naval Floor Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD), McCollough has traveled the environment. 

McCollough grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, alongside with two youthful brothers. His mom, Pamela, enjoyed a 30-calendar year job in education and learning. His father, Tyehimba (TY-hēm-bah), was active in athletics and worked with at-risk youth. Just after his football career ended with an NFL option that under no circumstances panned out, Tyehimba became fascinated in African dance and finally joined the KanKouran West African Dance Business in Washington, D.C. “He had me and my brothers drumming and dancing given that we were about 5 years previous,” McCollough reported. “We formed our own team identified as the Windows of Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah).

In large college, McCollough, whose first title translates to “everlasting light,” excelled in math and science but was doubtful of a job path. Although attending a faculty good in his hometown, he achieved a Morgan Point out College (MSU) consultant who encouraged him to glance into engineering. 

When at MSU, he set out to develop into an electrical engineer until just one of his instructors built him fall in love with physics. “He taught physics in a way that built it appear like easy math to me.” McCollough switched gears and graduated with a bachelor’s in engineering physics. He acquired a master’s in optical engineering from Norfolk Point out University.

McCollough realized about NSWCDD while pursuing opportunities at NSWC Indian Head. “It really is kind of a funny story,” he reported. “After I been given my master’s, I moved back again to Maryland. I attended a work honest and spoke with associates from Indian Head. I received an job interview at Dahlgren, pondering it could be the headquarters for Indian Head. Come to obtain out, that was not the scenario, and I figured out that Dahlgren uncovered my identify in a stack of resumes.”

Fifteen many years afterwards, McCollough has appreciated a fine vocation as a direct sensor engineer with NSWCDD. He begun working with the electro-optical infrared team (EOIR), supporting multiple exam and evaluation (T&E) projects, which include doing work with numerous seismic and EOIR sensors. In 2019, McCollough expanded his know-how and experience of radar functions when he became the sensor and radar direct for the Navy railgun plan. As the recent sensor guide for the Hypervelocity Gun Weapon Process Gun Launched Aerial Defense Interceptor for Highly developed Threats and Raids method, McCollough takes advantage of his expertise to collaborate with other branches, divisions and departments throughout NSWCDD as effectively as the Strategic Abilities Business and other sponsors.  

His do the job at Dahlgren has taken him globally, such as Hawaii, Mariana Islands and Germany. McCollough values his experiences doing the job with an global cadre of individuals and corporations. “Working with persons from other cultures has actually opened my eyes,” he said. “It’s been remarkable and in some cases frightening.” Just one of individuals scary situations arrived when doing work in Matamoros, Mexico. “The place is known for drug cartel action, so there was a big military presence all around us. We had to journey in a seriously protected motorcade.”

McCollough credits his do the job at NSWCDD for sparking his enthusiasm for vacation. Pre-pandemic, he visited his wife’s family for Xmas in Liberia, but his preferred places function beach locations. “I’m surely additional of a Caribbean person. I like islands and shorelines. I’ve been to Antigua, Costa Rica and Jamaica.” This past November, he traveled to Cuba with his spouse to operate the 10k race in the Circuit de Marabana. In the foreseeable future, McCollough hopes to travel all over Africa. 

In his leisure time, McCollough is large into sports and is an avid supporter of his hometown Baltimore Ravens. And while he does not dance as considerably any more, he at times picks up a drum. “My dad has slowed down a good deal, but he even now performs every single now and then,” he claimed. “But we bought jointly for his birthday and did some drumming.”