Regional Contracting Office, a U.S. Army Materiel Command unit, in Grafenwoehr, Germany. I’ve been in contracting for 34 months, and Grafenwoehr is my first contracting duty station.
I provide Government Purchase Card Program cardholders and billing officials with training, guidance, support and advice on their programs. Our mission is to help customers make the best possible purchases that are in their unit’s and government’s best interest without sacrificing product quality and our taxpayers’ money.
How did you become part of the Army Acquisition Work- force, and why?
Field artillery branch is a great branch and one that I am proud to say I was a part of. However, I was in search of a job that would present different challenges not common with the everyday Army. I was introduced to the 51C MOS [military occupational specialty] during a deployment to Iraq in 2011. I was intrigued with the description and I felt that it was the chal- lenge I was searching for. I applied in May 2012, went to school at Lackland Air Force Base in November 2012, and I have not looked back since.
What do you see as the most important points in your career with the Army Acquisition Workforce?
Mentorship, education and career-broadening experiences are the top points. Mentorship is part of the workforce because, coming in, you depend on your peers, seniors, DA civilians and, if you’re overseas, the local nationals to help train, guide and mentor you. My first acquisition assignment was in Germany and the local nationals, DA civilians and the military personnel provided superb training, guidance, mentorship and ultimately a friendship that was second to none.
One of the challenges the acquisition workforce presents is the benefit of getting an education. I call it a challenge and a ben- efit, because this career field encourages everyone to get their bachelor’s or master’s degrees. Anyone who has worked full time and attended school can tell you it is no easy task and one that can at times be difficult. However, there are numerous programs to help achieve those goals. Tis career field has pushed me to receive my bachelor’s degree, and I am currently pursuing my master’s of science in management. Te opportunities have been exciting and they have provided me with different avenues of approach regarding which direction to take my career.
“The contracting side has stressors that force you to be a bit more creative and think outside the box. We are constantly doing research in order to provide our customers and the government with the best deal possible.”
What’s the greatest satisfaction you have in being a part of the acquisition workforce?
How it impacts the Bavarian military community. Our position allows customers from United States Army Garrison (USAG) Bavaria, the Joint Multinational Training Command, the Joint Multinational Readiness Center, the Joint Multinational Simu- lation Center, the Garmisch community and USAG Ansbach to streamline their purchases. Tey can make quick purchases, keeping them in the fight. Te thought that we can have such a profound effect at such a large scale given the area of the world we live in and the situations we face in Europe is humbling to say the least.
What advice would you give to someone who aspires to a career like yours?
Focus on your education and strive to get your bachelor’s degree or higher education as soon as possible. It will make the transi- tion to the Acquisition Corps smoother.
What’s something that most people don’t know about your job?
Most people do not know how much time, effort and dedication goes into the everyday mission support and services that Soldiers and their family members receive. Nobody really knows who we are until they need us.
—MS. MARY KATE AYLWARD
ASC.ARMY.MIL 79
CONTRACTING
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