COMMAND/ORGANIZATION: Office of the Project Manager for Close Combat Systems, Program Executive Office for Ammunition
POSITION AND OFFICIAL TITLE: Project management officer, project officer
YEARS OF SERVICE IN WORKFORCE: 25
DAWIA CERTIFICATIONS: Level III in program management and engineering
EDUCATION: M.S. in engineering management and B.S. in mechanical engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology
AWARDS: Commander’s Award for Civilian Service
Helping to provide nonlethal capabilities
By Susan L. Follett
Project Management Officer Mireille Pincay-Rodrigues, assigned to the Project Manager for Close Combat Systems (PM CCS) within the Program Executive Office for Ammunition at Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey, is the project lead for the M104 Nonlethal Bursting Hand Grenade, a critical capability for the joint warfighter. Thanks to her efforts, the program achieved two key milestones in 2016: type classification standard and full materiel release. She’s a recognized expert in nonlethal munitions and systems, and has played a critical role in the development, production and fielding of many nonlethal capabilities currently used by the Army and other services.
Her 25-year career began with a phone call and some curiosity. Before coming to acquisition, she was working for a small company that designed and built molds for plastic injection molding applications. “When I was at that position, I received a call inviting me to interview for the position at Picatinny. I wanted to know what the public sector could offer so I came in for an interview, and from there I learned that the work here is of the upmost importance as it directly supports the warfighter,” she said. “I also learned that there were many opportunities for professional and personal growth, and so the decision to pursue a career in the public sector was an easy one.”
She’s had a lot of different roles in her 25 years, and noted that each team, project and position has been memorable in its own way. “As such, it is challenging to pick a particular individual, item or event that stands out. From all of it, I’ve learned to apply a more holistic approach to my work, and the foundation for my acquisition and technical knowledge is a result of those interactions and experiences.”
She added, “When I started my career, I did not have a picture of where I would be in 25 years as it seemed so far away. I stayed because I realized that I made a difference and had the opportunity to work on different programs that provide a new or improved capability to the warfighter.”
What do you do in your position and why is it important to the Army or the warfighter?
As a project officer, I am responsible for ensuring the availability of materiel for the warfighter to support their mission. It is a cooperative effort with the individuals who make up the item support team through which the materiel readiness and availability is ultimately accomplished. The greatest satisfaction comes from knowing that there is an additional capability that I was instrumental in providing to the warfighter and that he or she can use it with confidence in its performance.
How did you become part of the Army Acquisition Workforce, and why?
At the beginning of my career, I was the technical lead for small caliber ammunition items. As I gained experience, I wanted the opportunity to apply what I learned about ammunition program execution and learn about other aspects of acquisition, specifically the budget development cycle and requirements. An opportunity presented itself at PM CCS, and I took advantage of it.
What do you see as the most important points in your career with the Army Acquisition Workforce, and why?
I can think of a number of experiences that have shaped my career. Early on, I participated in a structured mentoring program in which I visited and interviewed various individuals and also had the opportunity to shadow them. As a result, I learned about the types of programs I was assigned and developing strategies for, finalizing designs that ultimately led to production and fielding. The Defense Acquisition University offers a range of online and resident courses that are relevant to all acquisition professionals. I have taken many courses that have contributed to my overall knowledge base. In the near future, I will be pursuing a developmental assignment at Army headquarters to further enrich my experience and knowledge base.
Can you name a particular mentor or mentors who helped you in your career? How did they help you?
There are a couple of individuals who have given me advice in my career; they’ve all retired by now. They gave me advice for approaching programmatic issues and self-management skills. The most valuable advice, however, pertained to the ability to relate to others. In today’s global work environment, it is crucial to have this skill. Building rapport with team members and fostering a cooperative environment facilitates movement in the right direction to accomplish a given goal.
What advice would you give to someone who aspires to a career similar to yours?
Establish personal and professional goals and develop plans to achieve them. Training and certifications are key components of achieving those goals, as is leadership development. Additionally, developmental assignments are a valuable way of expanding your knowledge and experience.
“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 703-644-5635.
