AIMING HIGH
Holcomb sits in the cockpit of an AH-6 Little Bird helicopter, one of many diverse experiences she has sought out during the 26-year career that involves her in every phase of the weapon system. She advises new acquisition workforce members to gain experience in multiple career fields. “You can go as deep or as broad as you choose.” (Photo courtesy of PEO MS)
What do you see as the most important points in your career with the Army AL&T Workforce, and why? Is there a program or opportunity you wish you had pursued but didn’t?
Te most important career move I’ve made is working in multiple career fields. I look at these moves as career-broadening experiences. I have been mentored at each of my jobs, and it has been invalu- able. I have also been a mentor. I find that being a mentor helps me stay focused and grounded, and I learn a lot by seeing the system from a new perspective. Te effect these moves have had on my career, and on me as a person, is that I’ve learned that we are all valuable in our own way. I’ve also learned that teamwork strengthens my skills, and I’ve forged friendships of a lifetime throughout my experiences.
I had an opportunity early in my career to do an 18-month fellowship at the College of William and Mary. I would have done research in the electronics engineering field while working on my master’s degree in electrical engineering. I can’t say I regret my decision, but if I were offered such opportunity again, I would certainly do my best to pursue it.
A fellowship is a wonderful opportunity to obtain an advanced degree while get- ting tangible experience.
What’s the greatest satisfaction you have in being a part of the AL&T Workforce?
Working at the systems level, allowing me to participate in and contribute to the acquisition process from cradle to grave on a weapon system. Te greatest satisfac- tion is being an integral part of weapon development and seeing it be successfully fielded and then successfully engage or suppress the enemy.
Acquisition is a very broad term encom- passing a lot of different job specialties, with many career tools available to all of them. What advice would you give to someone who wants to get where you are today?
My advice for newcomers to the acqui- sition workforce is to get experience in multiple career fields. You can go as deep or as broad as you choose. I began in a T&E environment, testing single compo- nents and working my way up to testing systems. Tis was a great
foundation
for me, because the item was already purchased and built, and I verified that it met the specification to which it was purchased. From there I moved into the R&D area, where I was more on the spec- ification development and item design side. I led a couple of S&T programs, which allowed me to learn about what goes into getting something designed and ready to test. Now that I’m working in the programmatic aspect of a system, I work with users to turn a requirement into a fielded program of record.
What’s something that most people
don’t know about your job? What sur- prises outsiders most when you tell them about your job?
Most people don’t realize that a platform integrator must know and understand the interfaces to both the munition and missile and the aircraft and launch platform. Understanding the interface, interoperability and interaction of the entire system makes my job more enjoy- able; I get to see the big picture and also play in the details. Tis job requires close contact with both industry and the user. Working directly with the combat developers to establish requirements is key in developing a weapon that is effi- cient and effective.
I think what surprises outsiders the most is how this job allows me to be part of the entire weapon system: missile,
launcher
and aircraft. I get to conceptualize, build prototype hardware and be part of the laboratory testing and range testing. I’ve had the pleasure of flying in the helicopter while the missile is being tested, provided the fire control solution for ground shots and investigated field situations. It’s very satisfying to be able to work on the entire weapon system.
—MS. SUSAN L. FOLLETT
ASC.ARMY.MIL 73
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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