COURAGE TO CHANGE Te best opportunities for growth come through change.


So is the experience of Wanda Dunn, G-4 director of logistics for the Joint Program Executive Office for Armaments and Ammunition (JPEO A&A) and a 26-year Army veteran. To grow in the Army Acquisition Workforce, “one must be willing to seek potential by risking change to another PEO, project or product for acquisition knowledge,” she said. “No two programs or products bring the same learning curve.”


“It takes great courage to change projects, from what is known and comfortable to that which is unknown. Often in my career, these changes have brought the best opportunity for growth,” she added. And if a change in assignment is not possi- ble, Dunn strongly encourages participation in developmental assignments either within or outside of a person’s career field.


WANDA J. DUNN


COMMAND/ORGANIZATION: Joint Program Executive Office for Armaments and Ammunition


TITLE: G-4 director of logistics YEARS OF SERVICE IN WORKFORCE: 16 YEARS OF MILITARY SERVICE: 26


DAWIA CERTIFICATIONS: Advanced in life cycle logistics and Practitioner in program management


EDUCATION: M.A. in educational psychology, Troy University; B.S. in human resources management, Upper Iowa University


AWARDS: Meritorious Service Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal; Good Conduct Medal; and National Defense Service Medal


Te best-ever career development program for her was working with Department of the Army Headquarters G-3/5/7 for U.S. Army Munitions. “Tis was an oppor- tunity to witness how the G-3/5/7 (plans and operations), G-4 (sustainment) and G-8 (programming) work in unison in the procurement, management planning, testing, [moving to depots] and allocation of munition,” she said. “I was able to utilize the knowledge immediately from this assignment to execute my first muni- tion MR.” An MR, or military munitions rule, federally defines when a military munition becomes waste and how to manage it.


Dunn initially became aware of acquisition while working in a term position at the Logistics Readiness Center for mobilization at Fort Dix, New Jersey. Tis was her first Army civilian position following active-duty retirement as a logistician, military occupational specialty 92Y Army unit supply specialist.


“I often had to coordinate the timely movement of [project manager] fielding assets to collaborate with unit movement into the [area of responsibility]. PEO Soldier was active in the rapid fielding initiative of individual equipment to the warfighter and other PEOs with specialized equipment for specific units’ mission,” Dunn said. “Te PEO acquisition implementation and execution to enhance the capability of the warfighter became a beacon to all my military training as a logistician.”


After a year and a half, Dunn started applying for permanent positions through USAJobs, and in 2007 accepted her first acquisition position as a product support integrator working with Ground Torch, TASER and Mine Roller Systems, part of Project Manager for Close Combat Systems within JPEO A&A. Mine rollers are designed to detect and detonate improvised explosive devices before the warfight- er’s tactical vehicle does.


“Tis position appealed to me due to the daily interaction with highly skilled and professional staff within the direct reporting unit to include project managers,


34 Army AL&T Magazine Fall 2023


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