ARTICLE UPDATED SEPT. 15, 2025: The BayNet has confirmed that Ashley Johnson, technical director of Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division, will retire Oct. 31, 2025. This detail has been added to reflect his upcoming departure.
LA PLATA, Md. — A Sept. 9 briefing to the Charles County Board of Commissioners included a memorandum, “Advancing Innovation and Growth – Western Charles Technology Corridor.” The report detailed both the challenges and opportunities facing Naval Support Facility Indian Head, noting a 12–15% reduction in its workforce while also outlining strategies to strengthen the county’s role in innovation, workforce development and regional growth.
The update was presented by Joseph Green and Michelle Goodwin of G.S. Proctor & Associates, Inc. Goodwin, who also serves as vice chair of the Charles County Military Alliance Council (MAC), said many of those departing were among the base’s most highly skilled personnel, leaving gaps that will be difficult to fill quickly.
According to Goodwin, the reductions stemmed from federal early retirement offerings, including the Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA). This program, often used during budget adjustments or restructuring, temporarily lowers age and service requirements so more employees qualify. It encourages voluntary separations and helps agencies adapt with minimal disruption — but it also means losing long-serving professionals whose expertise is not easily replaced.
“What we’re hearing on the ground through the MAC, through our partners and through the base — because they attend the Military Alliance Council meetings — is that the workforce has been hit hard,” Goodwin said.
She explained that the early retirement offerings were widely accepted across the installation.
“All the way down, people were offered early retirement proposals, and a lot of them took it,” Goodwin said, noting that filling those positions will take time and may not happen right away.
Specialized Skills Lost
Indian Head is a national leader in energetics research and development — the science of explosives and propellants. Goodwin cautioned that the retirements represent not only a reduction in numbers but also a significant loss of technical expertise.
Among those who retired was Ashley Johnson, a Charles County native who dedicated decades of service to the base. As technical director, he was widely regarded as a strong advocate for energetics research and development, and his departure leaves both a key leadership position and years of hard-earned expertise difficult to replace.
“They just lost their technical director, Ashley Johnson’s been there forever … he chose to retire. Huge advocate, extremely well-liked, well-educated for energetics and for the base,” Goodwin said.
BayNet has confirmed that Johnson’s retirement will take effect on Oct. 31, 2025.
She explained that to keep projects moving during the transition, more work is expected to shift “outside the gate” to private contractors — a model already common at Pax River and other military installations.
“With all the job losses and retirements … what that has produced is an opportunity for businesses, contractors to come and fill those spaces,” Goodwin said.
Commissioner B.J. Bowling asked how the workforce loss compared to Naval Air Station Patuxent River or Joint Base Andrews, where federal cutbacks have also been felt.
“For Indian Head, having 3,200 personnel, a 12 to 15% loss … it’s a big loss. Pax River, they already have lots of contractors outside the gates,” Goodwin said.
Bowling responded that the shift could ultimately benefit Indian Head, saying, “That’s actually good to hear that. It’s gonna push some jobs outside the gate to private industry.” He then asked what could make the base more attractive to contractors. Goodwin pointed to amenities as a key factor, noting that Charles County Economic Development is currently working on those improvements and exploring options to support that growth.
Looking Ahead
The briefing positioned the Western Charles Technology Corridor as both a response to current workforce challenges and a roadmap for long-term growth. By linking federal defense missions with higher education, applied research and private industry, county leaders see the corridor as a way to attract investment, expand training opportunities and strengthen Charles County’s competitiveness.
Read the full memorandum: Advancing Innovation and Growth – Western Charles Technology Corridor
Watch the full briefing: Charles County Board of Commissioners on CCGTV
About Ashley G. Johnson
Ashley G. Johnson serves as the technical director of the Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD), overseeing a multi-site workforce of roughly 2,700 employees and an annual operating budget of more than $1 billion. In this role, he led Department of Navy efforts in energetics, ordnance and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technical capabilities.
Johnson began his career at NSWC Indian Head in 1987, managing warhead production for missiles, torpedoes and projectiles. Over his career, he held a range of leadership roles, including director of the Office of Naval Research’s Hybrid Complex Warfare Science Division and S&T advisor to U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific, where he deployed with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of Rochester and a Master of Science in national resource strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, where he graduated as the Commandant’s Distinguished Graduate.
Got a tip or photo? Text us at 888-871-NEWS (6397) or email news@thebaynet.com.
Join The BayNet Membership for exclusive perks and zero ads.
Don’t miss a story—sign up for our newsletter!
Post GenX doesn’t want to work.
Wrong, millennial here and I just bought a $500,000 home because I work
They won’t be able to fill the jobs with contractors because the contracting dollars aren’t there. Anyone paying attention to the budget proposals (and potential republican shutdown on Oct 1) can see that this administration has devastated not only the DoD but all of the federal workforce. But, that’s what happens when you have tv personalities and hackers running everything.
The requirements that a lot of the job listings from there have, most people do not possess. Specifically those 35 and under and especially those in Indian Head and the surrounding areas. Every position that isn’t a TRUE entry level position (meaning not requiring active DoD secret clearance, a bachelor’s degree AND 5-7 years of experience) is going to be extremely hard to fill.
The MIC is poison. Worst, most distant group of people I’ve ever dealt with.
This administration wanted to drain the swamp but they’re draining the federal government budget due to ignorance, greed and lining their pockets with the money. Services that were provided before are no longer done and we, the American taxpayers will suffer the consequences. Inexperienced people are in positions that requires the ability to perform at a high level and that won’t happen at this time.