POSITION AND UNIT: Human Resources Specialist, U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center, Human Resources Management Division
TOTAL YEARS OF CIVILIAN SERVICE: 16
TOTAL YEARS OF MILITARY SERVICE: 3 active duty; 16 years U.S. Army Reserve
AWARDS: Civilian: Commander’s Award for Civilian Service; Distinguished Service Award
Military: Bronze Star Medal/Meritorious Service Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal (3); National Defense Service Medal (2); Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; Joint Meritorious Unit Award (2); Armed Forces Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Global War On Terrorism Service Medal (2); Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon (2); Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device (2); Overseas Service Ribbon; NATO Medal (3); Afghanistan Army Superior Unit Award (2)
EDUCATION: B.S. in computer science, University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth; B.A. in human resources, University of Maryland University College
Perea reaps the benefits of hard work
By Susan L. Follett
Boston native Ulysses “Uly” Perea doesn’t have the accent that most people from his part of the country are known for. “It gets stronger as I get closer to home,” he said. But spend some time learning about his background and his work, and you’ll likely describe him like the locals would: “wicked smaht” and “a real hahd workah.”
Perea is a human resource specialist for the U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center’s Human Resources Management Division, or G1, developing and evaluating HR management policies and programs for program executive offices (PEOs).
“I’ve worked with Uly for three years and what stands out is his outstanding work ethic and his sincere commitment to helping people,” said Michael Beans, Perea’s division chief. “Uly always makes a specific effort to go the extra mile to ensure that people are taken care of, and his type of work ethic is infectious.”
Perea is also a sergeant first class in the Army Reserve, serving as Force Management Noncommissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) for the U.S. Army Reserve Legal Command (USARLC) in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
And like most reservists, Perea is familiar with the dual commitments of work and Army service. For him, staying busy is the key to juggling them. “The biggest challenge I face is coming back from a deployment and getting adjusted to the work hours. When I’m deployed, I normally work 12 to 18 hours a day. But when I get back to the normal life, it’s just eight-hour work days and I feel like I need more to do,” he said. “I try to take on more projects so I can feel challenged, and that helps. If I stay busy, I don’t focus on time—I focus on getting the job done.”
Ulysses “Uly” Perea is a human resources specialist for the U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center’s Human Resources Management Division, and a sergeant first class in the U.S. Army Reserve.
What do you do in the Army? Why is it important?
In my civilian capacity I serve as the senior HR advisor and consultant on Department of Army (DA) civilian issues, regulations, policies, awards and programs in the areas of human capital, manpower, staffing, classification, development, training, employee relations and Equal Employment Opportunity regulations. For the Army Reserve, I’m the NCOIC serving as the subject matter expert and Force Program analyst and the military HR specialist for the USARLC.
Both roles are very important because they provide administrative and advisory support to our Soldiers, civilians and family members. Personally, at the end of the day, I am filled with satisfaction because I helped our military and civilian workforce.
What has your experience been like?
I’ve worked in many organizations around the world and deployed four times in my career: to Bosnia in 1996 and 1998, when I was on active duty; and to Afghanistan in 2004-2006 and 2014-2015 with the Army Reserve.
Being a DA civilian working for the acquisition community, I’ve been able to see the systems and programs that are developed by the PEOs. But not many people who use those products understand why they were developed or where they came from. When I deployed to Afghanistan and went through processing at the Combat Readiness Center, I had to go through the Rapid Fielding Initiative to obtain my uniforms and equipment. During that process, I knew it was part of what PEO Soldier does. When I was in Afghanistan, I saw big, white zeppelins hovering overhead and I knew that they were part of JLENS [the Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor System] that was managed by PEO Missiles and Space. It’s just great to be part of the team, in and out of the uniform. There’s no better experience than working with DOD, joint commands and the DA.
Why did you join the Army? What is your greatest satisfaction in being part of the Army?
I joined the Army in 1996: I was young and needed an adventure—but most importantly, I needed a job. I was on active duty for three years and joined the Reserve afterwards.
For me, the greatest satisfaction of being part of the Army is the reward you get for the hard work you put in. I started as a DA civilian through a veteran’s recruitment appointment as a GS-4 in 1999. I work hard and try to help people whenever I can, and I always put the mission and people first. People who know me well say that one of my greatest attributes is that I’m selfless, which is one of the seven Army values. I’ve moved up the ranks quickly: today, in my civilian career, I’m a GS-13 equivalent.
What advice do you have for someone who’s just starting out?
I joined the Army after my second year of college. Nevertheless, if I could do it all over again, I would stay in college until I obtained my degree. Earning a degree while you’re working gets more difficult as you move up in your career and schedules get more hectic. If you’re in the Reserve, you have the issue of deployment to deal with as well: some people who deploy have time to work on their degree but others don’t, and not all posts have the internet capabilities that you need. So it can be challenging. But if that path isn’t for you, I would recommend joining the Reserve or National Guard and serving while you work as a civilian.
Please describe your deployment experience. What stands out to you the most?
In February, I returned from serving as a deployed senior HR specialist for NATO Special Operation Component Command–Afghanistan/Special Operations Command–Afghanistan (NSOCC-A/SOJTF-A. I assisted the division chief, overseeing four branches: strength management, awards and actions, individual augmentation and personnel readiness management. Working with NSOCC-A/SOJTF-A was the best experience of my career. The hours and days were long and there were moments I knew my life was at risk every time we left the compound, but knowing we had each other’s backs, it was worth it. I had the opportunity to work with the joint special operations community and the foreign national military, considered the elite professionals in the armed forces. Not too many people can say that, and I was very fortunate.
What stood out the most was the length of my deployment: it was supposed to last six months, but the leadership extended my tour: they knew I could get the job done. I received the Bronze Star medal as a result of my work. Knowing I am making a difference makes it all worthwhile for me.
Working with Perea, left, during a 13-month deployment for the NATO Special Operation Component Command–Afghanistan/Special Operations Command–Afghanistan were German Army Staff Sgt. Voigt Oberfeldwebel, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Rikki Amaya and U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Luis Marin. (Photo by Sgt. Vincent Ciamaichelo)
- “Faces of the Force” is an online series highlighting members of the Army Acquisition Workforce through the power of individual stories. Profiles are produced by the U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center Communication and Support Branch, working closely with public affairs officers to feature Soldiers and Civilians currently serving in a variety of AL&T disciplines. For more information, or to nominate someone, please contact 703-805-1006.
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