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One of the most important milestones was being a member of the team that won the David Packard Excellence in Acquisi- tion Award in 2013. Te JPO JLTV team was directly responsible for implementing new processes outlined in Better Buy- ing Power (BBP) initiatives and the Hon. Frank Kendall’s
“Improving Milestone
Process Effectiveness” memorandum. Te JLTV team incorporated the BBP initia- tives across integrated program teams from a range of participants: engineering, logistics, test and evaluation, contracting, acquisition and legal. Te team’s efforts were instrumental
in transitioning the
JLTV program from the technology devel- opment phase to the EMD phase. (Editor’s note: The JPO JLTV team also received the 2015 David Packard Excellence in Acqui- sition Award. For more information, see [Honoring the Best], page 156.)
Can you name a particular mentor or mentors who helped you in your career? How did they help you? Have you been a mentor?
LTC Steven Gravlin, who’s now retired, allowed my responsibilities to grow along with me while I was in the inspector general’s office by offering more diverse opportunities and challenges at a new stage in my career. He was an advocate for my development and nominated me to attend Army Management Staff College to obtain the requisite knowledge of the Army management systems and processes in responding to current challenges facing DA and how it all linked with public law, national security and military strategies. He gave me increased responsibilities and greater independence to work inspections, investigations and inquiries and command issues over TACOM’s wide geographic area. LTC Gravlin led by example in his compas- sion and integrity dealing with TACOM’s Soldiers and civilian workforce, and he instilled his values in his staff. He was the
catalyst I needed to ignite my career, and he taught me how to navigate the politics of the organization and accept challenges.
Sandy Milford was truly passionate about his work. He treated everyone with uncon- ditional respect—respect for our opinions, our functional knowledge and our visions of what we wanted to achieve for the program. He was selfless in sharing what he knew, and when he came across something that he didn’t know, he sought out the right people or material to provide an answer or solu- tion. Mostly, he believed in those he worked with and was always willing to step up and accept a challenge. Mr. Milford’s untimely demise last year [Sept. 6, 2014] left a void in not only the JLTV program, but also in the lives of all those he touched. His tact and diplomacy helped build networks, and he dispensed with formalities to facilitate an open, lively dialogue.
I have mentored newly assigned personnel to the JLTV program on source selection planning and milestone documentation reviews.
You started working for TACOM in 1984. When you started, did you think you’d still be here 31 years later? Why do you think you’ve stayed for so long?
I definitely didn’t think that I’d still be here after all these years. I’ve stayed because of all the changes that TACOM has gone through since I started and the opportunities I’ve had as a result. When I started, TACOM dealt mostly with tanks and trucks, and as it evolved into the TACOM Life Cycle Man- agement Command, its mission expanded and there are now a lot of organizations underneath it. It has been exciting to see that change and to have opportunities to grow and work with some amazing people, including Scott Davis, while he was deputy program manager for Future Combat Sys- tems (FCS) Brigade Combat Team program.
I started out in contracting for research and development, and moved to the inspec- tor general’s office as a result of [reduction in force] changes. Tat was an unexpected blessing: It gave me the opportunity to learn about the command structure and work with the big picture of contracting and the program management side to see how senior leaders dealt with challenges that arose— experience that was very important when I was transferred to FCS. FCS was a great experience too, and taught me a great deal about operational requirements, program security and working with integrated pro- cess teams across multiple sites. And I took that experience with me when I transitioned to the JLTV program about five years ago.
What advice would you give to someone who aspires to a career similar to yours?
Get a variety of experiences early on. You’ll be surprised at what you thought you would enjoy and don’t, and what you didn’t expect to like and what you will become passionate about. Ask questions—lots of them. Asking questions shows that you are engaged and that you value input from others.
Learn as much as you can from others, but don’t be afraid to speak up if you have some- thing to contribute. Be confident in your decisions and don’t judge yourself against others. Go the extra mile; you’ll feel more fulfilled, and someone will notice. Accept any task that is assigned to you. Showing dedication to your position shows a lot to your management and will help instill confidence in your supervisor that you can handle any task they give to you. Take ini- tiative to take on more responsibility.
Go to work every day with enthusiasm, work with a sense of urgency, educate your- self and provide results.
—MS. SUSAN L. FOLLETT
ASC.ARMY.MIL
97
BBP 3.0
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