STAYING ON TOP OF THE GAME
I STAFF SGT. CHARLES PRIHODA
COMMAND/ORGANIZATION: 901st Contracting Battalion, U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command – Fort Hood
TITLE: Contracting noncommissioned officer YEARS OF SERVICE IN WORKFORCE: 3
YEARS OF MILITARY SERVICE: 13 (9 in the U.S. Army; 4 in the U.S. Marine Corps)
DAWIA CERTIFICATIONS: Level I in contracting
EDUCATION: J.D., Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Cleveland State Univer- sity; B.A. in history, Ohio University
AWARDS: Army Commendation Medals (two oak leaf clusters (OLCs)), Army Achievement Medal (one OLC), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal (two knots), Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, NCO Profes- sional Development Ribbon (Bronze Numeral 2), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Basic Parachutist Badge and Air Assault Badge
t has been a busy year for Staff Sgt. Charles Prihoda. He completed his first forward acquisition assignment, spending nine months in Poland in support of 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division. Right after his return, he began training for the upcoming Best Warrior Competition and
was ultimately selected to represent the U.S. Army Contracting Command (ACC) in the next round of the contest. And he’s a newly minted Texas attorney, having passed that state’s bar in the spring.
Prihoda is a contracting noncommissioned officer (NCO) for the 901st Contracting Battalion, part of the U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command (MICC) – Fort Hood, Texas. Te 901st, which comprises five contracting teams, is responsible for planning and executing contingency contracting in support of Army and joint operations, prepar- ing warfighters to accomplish operational contracting support missions, and training and deploying contingency contracting teams. In garrison, the battalion works with MICC – Fort Hood to provide contracting support for the 1st Cavalry Division and the installation.
Prihoda’s job is to facilitate the contracting needs of units in garrison and in deployed environments. “In some cases, I act as a business adviser to unit commanders, recommending appropriate acquisition strategies that will save money and comply with federal regulations,” he explained. “When I tell people about my job, they are surprised to find out that the Army contracts for so many different things, both large and small.”
Prihoda earned his law degree in 2010 and relies in part on what he learned in law school for his contracting work. “I’ve always enjoyed contract law, and one of the things lawyers learn is how to understand language and interpret statutes. Both of those skills come into play in my work now.” He noted that the most enjoyable aspect of his job was one that he didn’t expect: seeing the direct impact of his work. “I knew that contracting was an important part of acquisition, but I didn’t realize I’d see the impact it has so directly— on maintaining readiness, for example, or supporting a training mission.”
Acquisition is a dynamic field, he added. “With changes in policy and changes in regulation, you can’t get set in your ways. It’s really important to read policy updates and stay proficient in your career field so you can remain on top of your game.” He also relies on—and shares—advice that was given to him by a contracting officer he worked with at MICC, Staff Sgt. Louis Olvera. “His advice was to be eager to handle requirements, and
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Army AL&T Magazine
Fall 2019
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