WORKFORCE
ANDERSON’S TAKEAWAYS:
1. Hands on experience is invaluable – Reading how to do this job helps, but physically doing it is extremely beneficial because there are so many variables with each procurement.
2. Slow is smooth, smooth is fast – Take your time while working through an acquisition so you don’t have to modify it multiple times on the back end.
AN ARMY FUTURE
Anderson reenlisted in Alaska on top of Flattop Mountain in 2019, where he was given the Oath of Enlistment by Air Force 2nd Lt. Lauren Mitchell. (Photo courtesy of 673d Contracting Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska)
3. Everyone interprets differently – A good thing in our field, because having multiple aspects on how something is viewed or understood assists with creating good contracts and providing the warfighter the supplies and services they need to complete their mission.
“Everywhere I’ve been, there’s not an exact ‘how to’ manual. It’s not like a mechanic job where you can look in a technical manual and read exact steps on how to fix something or break it down,” he said. Tat’s why, for him, the opportunity for mentorship is the most important part of the acquisition career field. “When I came into this field, I was put on a team with another brand- new acquisition Soldier and given some work. It was new for the civilians we worked with to have us there and some never served, so many were unaware how to mentor or work with us military members,” Anderson said. So, he created a living document he frequently updates with websites and helpful information. “I give it to all our newly accessed acquisition Soldiers,” he said. “Tis career field is something you learn over time and not overnight, but if I can provide a good starting point, it’ll hopefully spark the learning intake a little faster for our new members.”
His advice to junior acquisition personnel: Be patient. “It took a few years for me to fully grasp the overall acquisition process,” he said. “Providing exercise support and having a real-world, fast- paced environment is where things clicked for me and the whole acquisition process began to come together, and I understood it more. I also learned a lot once I arrived at my current duty station, Kunsan Air Base, because at the time I was the most experienced acquisition Soldier in the office and the team seemed to gravi- tate to me for assistance, when needed. It forced me to get in the FAR [Federal Acquisition Regulations] and research things more extensively before providing my guidance.”
Anderson has supported exercises including the U.S. and Malay- sian army exercise Keris Strike 2022, and the first ever contracting detachment exercise evaluation last April. “Te exercise support was an amazing experience, but the team evaluation allowed me to teach, train and mentor our newly accessed contracting offi- cers and NCOs,” said Anderson of the contracting evaluation developmental experience.
Te most important lesson Anderson has learned through his military career is: “Time is precious. On and off the job. No one is guaranteed tomorrow. Te work will always be here.”
“I had a platoon sergeant in my prior MOS when I was a mechanic who would always tell us, ‘Do what you have to do, so you can do what you want to do,’ ” he said. “His name was Johntay Mitch- ell, he’s now a first sergeant, but his one statement has stuck with me for almost 10 years now. Both of my kids have heard it more than a couple times, too,” said Anderson speaking of his son Braylen, 13, and daughter, Aubrey, 8. “It explains so much in one small phrase. Te faster you complete your responsibili- ties the faster you can relax and enjoy your own personal time however you choose to.”
—HOLLY DECARLO-WHITE
https://
asc.ar my.mil
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