WORKING THE PROCESS W BENJAMIN LITTLE


COMMAND/ORGANIZATION: Product Manager for Virtual Training Systems, Project Manager for Training Devices, Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation


TITLE: Systems engineer


YEARS OF SERVICE IN WORKFORCE: 9.5


DAWIA CERTIFICATIONS: Level III in systems engineering; Level I in program management


EDUCATION: B.S. in computer engi- neering, University of Central Florida


hen Ben Little is not at his office at the Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (PEO STRI), you can find him in his kitchen or working around his house. Both places provide lessons that he uses in his work as a systems engineer


for the Product Manager for Virtual Training Systems (PM VTS). “In both of these areas, similar to being at work, you have to devise creative solutions to achieve your goal. When I have a home project I want to do or a dish I want to make, I research how to do it, buy supplies and tools and execute the process, with the final result of a completed project or a delicious meal. Similar processes are followed throughout the acquisition of a training device.”


Formerly the Product Manager for Ground Combat Tactical Trainers, PM VTS is assigned to the Project Manager for Training Devices, responsible for provid- ing realistic training environments and equipment. PM VTS develops, fields and provides total acquisition life cycle management for precision gunnery, driver, route clearance, air and watercraft operation, satellite control and maintenance virtual training systems supporting institutional, home station and contingency operations.


Little is responsible for working with customers, stakeholders and contractors to define, develop and deliver training systems that meet cost, schedule and perfor- mance requirements and provide effective training to ensure the combat mission readiness of every Soldier that receives training. “Proper training can save lives, and without adequate training and training devices, warfighters will be ill-prepared for the duties and tasks they will face while deployed,” he said.


“Whenever I tell people about my job, the one thing that always catches their atten- tion is the travel,” noted Little. “Traveling is a frequent occurrence on the job, and I’ve been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to travel to places I’ve always wanted to go—as well as some places that I never thought I’d go—and I have enjoyed them all.” Among the places he’s visited are Germany, South Korea, Hawaii and Alaska, often to deliver or upgrade a training system. “It’s really gratifying to see something we’ve worked on finally in the hands of the users, in different locations and for different types of training. It’s also gratifying to have the opportunity to get their feedback—hearing their comments and questions firsthand is invaluable.”


After working in industry for a few years as a contractor for PEO STRI, Little learned about an internship within the organization and decided to apply. “I saw working for PEO STRI as an opportunity to get closer to the fight and have a greater impact on the training devices we provide our Soldiers—to be involved with the development of training systems from inception to delivery to the warfighter,” he said. But he noted that his first acquisition position, engineering intern, came with a steep learning curve. “For someone who was recently out of college and wasn’t prior service, much of being an engineering intern was learning the processes and


44


Army AL&T Magazine


January-March 2019


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