COMMAND/ORGANIZATION: Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2 – Intercept (IFPC Inc 2-I) Product Office; Cruise Missile Defense Systems Project Office; Program Executive Office for Missiles and Space
TITLE: IFPC Inc 2-I Test Lead Engineer
YEARS OF SERVICE IN WORKFORCE: 6.5
DAWIA CERTIFICATIONS: Level III in engineering and test and evaluation; Level I in program management
EDUCATION: B.S. in computer science, Athens State University
AWARDS: Hon. Dr. Claude Bolton Jr. Engineering and Systems Integration and Professional of the Year; Outstanding Acquisition Performance Recognition from the Hon. Frank Kendall, undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics; Honorable Order of Saint Barbara; “You Made It Happen” Recognition from PEO MS
T&E EFFORTS CEMENT BATTLEFIELD SUCCESS
By Ms. Susan L. Follett
Thanks to the efforts of Jeannie Sommer and her team at the Program Executive Office for Missiles and Space, Soldiers can be sure that missile defense systems work the way they’re supposed to. Sommer is the test and engineering (T&E) team lead and the chief developmental tester for the Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2-Intercept (IFPC Inc 2-I) within the Cruise Missile Defense Systems (CMDS) Project Office, which manages the Army’s short- and medium-range air defense systems.
IFPC Inc 2-I is a mobile, ground-based system designed to acquire, track, engage and defeat unmanned aircraft systems and cruise missiles, as well as rockets, artillery and mortars. The system can be transported by common mobile platforms and uses the Army Integrated Air and Missile Defense (AIAMD) open systems architecture.
“I am responsible for the evaluation of systems under relevant conditions, measuring performance based on requirements,” said Sommer. “It’s very important to ensure that systems not only work properly, but that they work in the manner and under the conditions the warfighter intended. I get a great deal of satisfaction in knowing that my work ensures that systems are effective before they are fielded to the warfighter and that I’ve used taxpayer dollars wisely in doing so.”
Late last year, Sommer received the Hon. Dr. Claude Bolton Jr. Engineering and Systems Integration Professional of the Year Award from the assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology (ASA(ALT)). Bolton, who died in 2015, served as ASA(ALT) from 2002 to 2008, and the award was established in 2016 to honor his service, character and sacrifice. Sommer was recognized for her work on an engineering demonstration that showcased the IFPC Inc 2-I capability and demonstrated its readiness to begin engineering and manufacturing development.
The demonstration involved the integration of the multi-mission launcher, the AIAMD battle command system and the Sentinel and PATRIOT radars, culminating in the firing of four different interceptors in a fully networked environment. Sommer established a test program that saved more than $30 million through the efficient use of test assets and range time, and her coordination and planning efforts generated additional efficiencies by synchronizing test activities with the AIAMD and Sentinel Product Offices.
“I was very surprised and humbled by the recognition,” said Sommer. “There are many talented, hard-working engineers in the acquisition workforce, and to be recognized was quite an honor. I also reflected on the team behind my success and was very thankful for the amazing things they accomplish on a day-to-day basis. I’m blessed to be a part of such an amazing organization.”
Sommer began her career as a software developer with the Missiles and Space Intelligence Center within the Defense Intelligence Agency. That work sparked her interest in system development, and in 2005 she accepted an acquisition position in T&E with the Joint Tactical Ground Station Product Office. She transitioned to the AIAMD Project Office in 2009, and joined the CMDS Project Office four years later.
While with the AIAMD Project Office, Sommer served as a DA systems coordinator (DASC)—“a pivotal moment in my career,” she said. That assignment broadened her thinking and changed the approach she takes when developing acquisition strategies and execution plans. “Prior to this assignment, I primarily focused on providing quality products to the warfighter. I now have a better understanding of how a program’s budget should be managed and how important it is to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently as well as developing quality products,” she explained. “A materiel developer has two customers: the warfighter and the taxpayer. As I develop test strategies, I keep both customers in mind, ensuring that I provide the best product to the warfighter while using taxpayer dollars wisely.”
In addition to T&E managerial and oversight duties, Sommer also serves as chair of the T&E Working Integrated Product Team and is responsible for bringing together stakeholders to develop, manage and execute the T&E strategy in the Test and Evaluation Master Plan. Stakeholders include the user community from the Fires Center of Excellence (FCOE), the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC) and Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD).
“FCOE creates capabilities through developing requirements, ATEC conducts an independent operational assessment of the system and OSD evaluates whether the system has been adequately tested, confirming operational effectiveness and suitability of the system in combat use,” she explained. It’s not without its challenges, she noted. “Some of the challenges stem from different interpretations of the requirements and how we plan to test and evaluate the system’s performance based on those requirements. I manage the expectations of the three organizations, developing a test strategy that addresses all stakeholders’ concerns within the budget and schedule constraints of the program.”
While serving as a test engineer at AIAMD, Sommer had the good fortune to work with senior leaders who played pivotal roles in her career development. “Jaime Zapata, AIAMD test planning lead, had a significant impact on my career. He always provided an honest assessment of my abilities, letting me know where my strengths and weaknesses were, and provided opportunities for me to grow,” Sommer explained. “Col.(P) Rob Rasch, AIAMD program manager, also played a large part in furthering my career by believing in my abilities and providing me career-broadening opportunities and increasing my level of responsibilities.” Sommer continued, “My current supervisor,” CMDS T&E Director Dan Jones, “continues to provide guidance and opportunities to further enhance my career development.”
She’s now in a position to mentor others, and she advises them to find a mentor early in one’s career trajectory. “Find someone with the qualities you would like to develop in yourself and learn from them. Be willing to change through tough conversations and constructive criticism.” She also recommends obtaining Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act certifications in multiple career fields and exploring career development opportunities across functional areas to become well-rounded. And, she noted, “it’s crucial to take leadership and communication classes for personal and professional development.”
This article is scheduled to be published in the April – June 2017 issue of Army AL&T Magazine.
“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 serving in various AL&T disciplines. For more information, or to nominate someone, please contact 703-664-5635.
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