THE INDUSTRIAL BASE
Every piece has to fit just right,” he said. To make that happen, Oddo said, the key is communication.
NETWORKING
Giovanni Oddo’s job revolves around initialization products, which assign every system in a command post a unique identifier, role, and Internet Protocol address—a numeric designation that identifies its location on the internet. Each act of initialization takes into account a unit’s specific mission, personnel footprint and mix of networked mission command systems. The result is identifying information that enables the various systems to connect and share information. (Photo courtesy of PEO C3T)
started in R&D, I was further away from the acquisition process. I knew after a year of working in that area that I wanted to be in the program office.”
Tat lesson stuck with him. In 2018, he was selected as the assistant program manager for Product Lead Tactical Network Initial- ization and Configuration (TNIC), within the Network Enablers program management office at the Program Exec- utive Office for Command, Control and Communications – Tactical (PEO C3T). TNIC works to secure the Army’s tactical network, simplify network operations and streamline hardware and software solu- tions for operational units and program management offices.
“Te one-liner is that we build all the data products and network configurations for tactical Army units,” Oddo explained.
“Imagine you buy a brand new cellphone. When you turn it on for the first time, there are already things going on in the background, unbeknownst to you,” he said. Your phone will connect to the near- est cell tower and then be routed through the network, for example. Tat informa- tion is all preconfigured, usually by the carrier. Similarly, “We create the phone numbers, IP addresses, routing informa- tion, and all the information required by the equipment on the tactical Army side,” he said.
Tat’s something he really enjoys about his work. “We don’t build a specific prod- uct. We make products for everything.” He and his team have to understand all the requirements and the ways in which the puzzle pieces fit together. “We work with all sorts of stakeholders to gather that information and put it together.
“Communicating early and often through- out the life cycle with all stakeholders, teammates, leadership and end users is vital,” he said. Only with good commu- nication can the team ensure that it is purchasing or developing the right solu- tions for Soldiers. In fact, Oddo would rank communication skills above unique technical expertise if he were hiring some- one for his current position. “It helps to have at least a foundation in technol- ogy, but you don’t need to be a master of a certain skill,” he said. “We work with super-smart subject matter experts, so it’s more important that you can speak their language and communicate effectively with our stakeholders.”
Oddo has seen many things change since he started working in Army acquisition 11 years ago. Te biggest, he named without hesitation. “Te Army Rapid Equipping Force and the use of the OTA (other- transaction authority),” he said. “Without a doubt, they are the biggest acquisition movers I’ve seen over the last decade.” Tat’s high praise from a guy who always tinkers with process improvement and wants to understand how things work.
Ultimately, Oddo said he has found his niche. “My life before becoming a govern- ment civilian was hopping from one tech job to the next, so I can’t believe I’ve been here this long.” But he isn’t looking for the offramp anytime soon. “I take immense pride in supporting our country and our Soldiers,” Oddo said. “I did not serve, but I have the greatest admiration and respect for them. I love that feeling of pride here, and I don’t want to go anywhere else.”
—ELLEN SUMMEY
https://asc.ar my.mil
65
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158 |
Page 159 |
Page 160 |
Page 161 |
Page 162 |
Page 163 |
Page 164 |
Page 165 |
Page 166 |
Page 167 |
Page 168 |
Page 169 |
Page 170 |
Page 171 |
Page 172 |
Page 173 |
Page 174 |
Page 175 |
Page 176 |
Page 177 |
Page 178 |
Page 179 |
Page 180 |
Page 181 |
Page 182 |
Page 183 |
Page 184 |
Page 185 |
Page 186 |
Page 187 |
Page 188 |
Page 189 |
Page 190 |
Page 191 |
Page 192 |
Page 193 |
Page 194 |
Page 195 |
Page 196
