SLOW IS SMOOTH, SMOOTH IS FAST
Meagan Clavel isn’t afraid to try new things. Whether it’s at home or at work, she will never hesitate to roll up her sleeves and do what must be done or take on something new or extra whenever necessary.
MEAGAN CLAVEL
COMMAND/ORGANIZATION: Mission and Installation Contracting Command, Fort Knox
TITLE: Contract specialist YEARS OF SERVICE IN WORKFORCE: 1
EDUCATION: Master of Education in guidance and counseling, curriculum and instruction, University of West Florida; B.A. in psychology from The Baptist College of Florida
While her husband, Joseph, a Kentucky National Guardsmen, was deployed to Africa, she’s had to hold down the fort in his absence as a “pioneer woman”—maintaining their log cabin home and the land it sits on—while working full time and caring for their 4-year-old daughter. Tat may sound simple enough when all is running smooth, but in the fall of 2022, she was faced with some unexpected challenges. A lack of rainfall caused enduring drought conditions across Kentucky, and the Clavels’ well was reduced to dangerously low levels.
With Joseph away, Clavel was tasked with replenishing the cabin’s water supply, and fast, before they were left without running water at their home. “It’s a 7-mile drive to [neighboring] Kentucky Junction to get enough water to fill the cistern,” she explained of the water hauling process with which many in urban areas may not be familiar. A cistern, or holding tank in the ground, is connected to a house like regular plumbing, but the water isn’t replenished from city pipes. When the water level is low, “We have to bring water to the cistern when our well does not supply enough.” It’s not the most convenient process, but it had to be done.
“I hope this great effort on my ‘frontier’ reflects in my work to illustrate my diligence to pursue until completion and attention to detail,” she said. Because when faced with dire circumstances or big decisions, according to Clavel, the action taken shouldn’t be rushed just to get it done faster; impulsive decisions will only slow things down. So, for her, a more focused, systematic approach hastens the process of keeping things running smoothly. And she said she handles chores at home in the same way she would tackle projects at work.
Clavel joined the Army Acquisition Workforce one year ago as a contract specialist with Mission Division 2 at the Mission and Installation Contracting Command (MICC), Fort Knox, Kentucky, where in a short period of time she has learned quite a bit about the contracting process from pre-award to post-award. “I assist the requiring activity with the process of attaining supplies and services. I also draft, evaluate and monitor documents in accordance with procurement laws and regulations,” she said. In addition to negotiating, procuring and processing the administrative actions necessary to acquire contracted resources, Clavel has developed a clear understanding of pricing techniques, market trends and supply sources of goods and services the military needs to operate.
To gain an even greater understanding of her position and responsibilities, she is currently enrolled in Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) CON 1300V
70 Army AL&T Magazine Summer 2023
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