WORKFORCE
advocate,” Samms said. “I love to share this, especially with women early in their careers, to make sure they understand the difference. We need people to advocate for us, so we need to build that network.”
Samms believes the key to success is find- ing a career that you are passionate about, then developing a plan to achieve your goals, while still maintaining authenticity.
PURSUIT OF STEM
Charneta Samms encourages female students to study STEM sciences. (Photo courtesy of DEVCOM)
geographic locations, backgrounds and educational experiences to create a more diverse culture. The Future of Work Concept also serves as part of the natural progression of DEVCOM’s competency- based talent management strategy, which includes a shift from reactively filling vacancies, to proactively building the talent needed to execute the mission now and in the future. It also enables the command to be more competitive in the global race for top STEM talent.
Samms is a strong advocate for mentoring and sponsoring peers, a key component to proactively building the workforce. She notes that there is a distinct differ- ence between a mentor and a sponsor—a mentor knows strengths and weaknesses, whereas a sponsor only knows strengths.
“A mentor will discuss your challenges and problems, and they will know the kinks in your armor, whereas a sponsor will know what you are capable of and be your
She discovered the concept of authenticity when she attended the Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), Maryland, Senior Lead- ership Cohort. Established in 2009, the cohort is for GS-14 to GS-15 or equiva- lent employees to develop higher levels of leadership skills and knowledge. Te cohort program begins each year in April and ends in February of the following year, and includes 26 sessions that are three-to- four days long with one-on-one executive coaching for each participant and team coaching for a community-based project.
“I learned about being your authentic self when I attended the APG leadership cohort. Whenever I am struggling, I stop and ask myself, ‘Am I being my authentic self in this moment?’ If I’m not, then that is probably why I am struggling,” Samms said. “If I am being the best version of myself, then there isn’t anything I can’t accomplish.”
Samms was recently installed as a Fellow Emeritus in the ARL Fellows, an honor- ary organization that consists of a select group of ARL’s most prominent current and former leaders who serve as senior advisors and leaders for the organization.
She is also a lifetime member of the National Society of Black Engineers, where she has served in various leadership roles. Samms has won numerous awards and was featured in the US Black Engi- neer & Information Technology magazine
winter 2011 feature, ‘Spotlight on Histor- ically Black Colleges and Universities’ Distinguished Alumni.
When Samms is not working, she may be perfecting her shooting skills at a firing range. She is a certified firearms instructor who teaches the principles of safe firearm ownership and marksmanship, and she competes in multigun competitions, in which competitors use varieties of two or three weapons.
“I’ve always had an interest in firearms, especially with my role at ARL work- ing with Soldiers and understanding the systems they use. Many times I am the only woman at the range or in a training class. It is such a fun, empowering activ- ity that could potentially save your life. Why aren’t there more women engaged?” Samms said.
To change that landscape, Samms plans to continue teaching women how to use firearms safely and effectively as a means to gain more self-confidence. At the same time, she is changing the landscape at DEVCOM in her new role as CTO.
“I am hoping we can shape and grow a more diverse command leadership. Tere won’t be a ton of us to start, but there will never be a ton of us if we don’t work together to move forward,” Samms said.
ARGIE SARANTINOS is a public affairs specialist for Patricio Enterprises providing contract support to DEVCOM. She holds an M.S. in professional writing and a B.A. in mass communications from Towson University. She has 17 years of public affairs experience supporting DOD. A frequent contributor to Army AL&T, her most recent article “Quick Pivot” appeared in the Winter 2021 issue.
https://asc.ar my.mil
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