PRESENTING HIS WORK


Dr. Patrick Taylor, left, worked as a summer hire in the propulsion division at WDI while completing his doctoral work in electrical engineering at Vanderbilt University. Later, the newly minted Dr. Taylor joined the team full time and developed a lab where he could conduct his research in electric propulsion systems for flight. Here, Taylor demonstrates his work to Dr. Andrew Hugine Jr. and Dr. Beverly Edmond, both of Alabama A&M University, during their visit to AMRDEC. (U.S. Army photo by Merv Brokke, AMRDEC Public Affairs)


Mathis had just earned his master’s degree in chemical engineering with an emphasis in environmental engineering, and was glad to get the job. However, his work at the university did not involve pro- pulsion engineering. His thesis was about laboratory work conducted on samples of solid municipal waste.


“Te only thing I really knew how to pro- pel was my car via the gas pedal,” Mathis said. “Making fire come out the back end of a rocket motor was a whole new world.”


One day, Dr. Jay Lilley, chief of propul- sion technology, stopped by Mathis’ desk. “During the course of our conversation,


he said, ‘We’re going to make you a propulsion engineer.’ I don’t remember anything else he said during that talk. All I can recall thinking was, ‘Well, I guess that makes it official,’ ” Mathis said.


GOOD TO GREAT Making good engineers into great ones is at the heart of the work that WDI does. It is as important as supporting Soldiers in the field because, in a sense, it is the same thing. Without having the right people help to grow the skills and expertise of younger people, supporting the Soldier into the future is impossible. As reward- ing as WDI’s day-to-day work can be, it is even more rewarding to see the dedication


and spirit in new engineers who grow and mature and then use their own expertise to serve their nation and help others achieve their engineering goals.


“Academic knowledge without firsthand experience in this business is of limited value. Until you put yourself on the line and test the limits of your abilities, you really can’t understand how much you know or don’t know,” Mathis explained.


GROWING A MENTORING PROGRAM WDI leadership saw a need to empower new employees and give them a unique opportunity in the propulsion field. As a


ASC.ARMY.MIL 37


SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY


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