Mark Dahilig believes that the strongest careers are built by looking beyond a single lane. Experience and growth are best achieved by embracing a combination of cross-functional training within one’s organization and developmental assignments to broaden perspective, boost confidence and sharpen decision-making—an approach he lives out in his own role supporting the Soldier’s mission from the civilian side.
Kight strives to ensure that Army policy reflects the strategic messaging set forth by the President, Congress, Office of the Secretary of War, Secretary of the Army and ASA(ALT) by developing and executing policy initiatives that address critical acquisition challenges with both national and international scope and impact.
Maj. Douglas Richardson has built his career on the simple but solid belief that focus is the foundation for overcoming any challenge. Through shifting missions and unpredictable conditions, he has learned that resilience isn’t innate—it’s achieved through the willingness to adapt, learn and grow. For Richardson, obstacles are not barriers, but opportunities to become stronger and more capable.
For Ebonie McClintock-Bennett, understanding the ‘why’ behind the work is not optional—it is essential. That perspective provides the context that turns requirements into informed decisions and ensures each action supports a broader mission. With an open mindset and a willingness to adapt, she approaches procurement as both a strategic and evolving discipline, helping the Army sustain the innovation, preparedness and responsiveness required to support the warfighter.
Maj. Kenneth Welch may be new to acquisitions but he’s no stranger to the Army. With 11 years of active-duty experience, he’s learned that a positive attitude can change everything—from how you approach challenges to how others respond to you.
Nicole Vargas believes the best ideas rarely come from one mind alone. By asking thoughtful questions, seeking out diverse perspectives and truly listening to others, she’s found that learning deepens and solutions become stronger.
Aaron Robertson-Majewski approaches each day as a gift, and each opportunity as a chance to grow, viewing challenges not with fear but as pathways to learning and progress.
When tasked with an assignment full of unknowns, and a tight timeframe to deliver, many charge ahead without pausing to ask questions. Sgt. 1st Class China A. Mathews takes a different approach.
Charles Harris draws on a wide range of experience that equip him to handle challenges with confidence in his dual role as general engineer and a contract specialist at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center.
When people come together, share perspectives, and build on each other’s strengths it leads to better ideas, smarter solutions and a clearer path forward.
Danielle Andersen believes challenges aren’t obstacles—they’re opportunities to move forward in a better way.
Success doesn’t happen by chance—it’s built on a foundation. For Marta Hess, that foundation is a framework she calls the “four Ps”: people, process, product and plan.
Learning something new each day keeps the mind sharp, perspectives fresh and the potential for growth alive. Embracing new opportunities—even those that seem uncertain—opens doors to unexpected experiences and skills. Taking risks may feel uncomfortable at first, but it’s often in those moments of challenge that real progress and confidence take root.
Stepping into a new and unfamiliar role can be intimidating, but it’s often the fastest way to grow in your career.
Discipline, focus and adaptability are just a few of the qualities that connect martial arts to everyday life.
Authenticity in the workplace isn’t just a buzzword. It’s a catalyst for genuine connection and stronger communication.
As a systems engineer, Svetislav (Steve) Petrusevic believes that every role is an opportunity to apply what you’ve learned and build on it.
In this edition of Faces of the Force, Staff Sgt. Summer L. McMahon shares that “a flexible mindset opens the door to growth, problem-solving and opportunity.”
In both his career and personal life, Maj. Timothy Hancock carries a simple philosophy: always make the best of every circumstance.
Modeling the leadership qualities you value builds trust and credibility with those in your personal and professional life.
Learn more about David Chin and his career advice to always be open to learning about as many aspects of your work as possible.
COMMAND/ORGANIZATION: Javelin Missile System Product Office, Tactical Aviation and Ground Munitions Project Office, Program Executive Office for Missiles and Space TITLE: Javelin chief engineer YEARS OF SERVICE IN…
COMMAND/ORGANIZATION: Program Executive Office for Missiles and Space, Tactical Aviation and Ground Munitions Project Office TITLE: Finance branch chief YEARS OF SERVICE IN WORKFORCE: 12 years AAW/DAWIA CERTIFICATIONS:…
COMMAND/ORGANIZATION: Joint Program Executive Office for Armaments and Ammunition, Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center TITLE: Budget and pricing system lead ACQUISITION CAREER FIELD: Business-financial management, program management…
COMMAND/ORGANIZATION: Joint Program Executive Office for Armaments and Ammunition, Project Manager Close Combat Systems TITLE: Business management specialist ACQUISITION CAREER FIELD: Business management specialist, contracting YEARS OF SERVICE…
POSITION AND UNIT: Management analyst, Workforce Development Branch, Enterprise Resources Division, Army Contracting Command – Aberdeen Proving Ground YEARS OF SERVICE IN WORKFORCE: 3 DAWIA CERTIFICATIONS: Level I in contracting…
POSITION AND UNIT: Chief of Platform Integration, Program Executive Office for Combat Support and Combat Service Support YEARS OF SERVICE IN WORKFORCE: 8 YEARS OF MILITARY SERVICE: 18 DAWIA CERTIFICATIONS:…
POSITION AND UNIT: Operations officer, Project Manager Combat Ammunition Systems, Program Executive Office for Ammunition YEARS OF SERVICE IN WORKFORCE: 5 DAWIA CERTIFICATIONS: Level II, program management; Level I, business…
POSITION AND UNIT: Contracting Officer/Team leader, Army Contracting Command – Aberdeen Proving Ground YEARS OF SERVICE IN WORKFORCE: 13 DAWIA CERTIFICATIONS:Level III in contracting; Level I in program management EDUCATION:…
Position and Unit: Product Director, Army Human Resource Systems, Program Executive Office Enterprise Information Systems Total Years of Service: 15 Awards: Commander’s Award for Civilian Service (2); Achievement Medal for…
POSITION AND UNIT: Aerospace Engineer, Concept Design and Assessment Tech Area, Aviation Development Directorate, Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center YEARS OF SERVICE: 5 (2 in Army acquisition;…
POSITION: Contracting Officer UNIT: 918th Contracting Battalion, Mission and Installation Contracting Command–Fort Carson TOTAL YEARS OF SERVICE: 32 (21 active duty and 11 civilian) AWARDS: Achievement Medal for Civilian Service;…
POSITION: GPC Agency/Organization Program Coordinator UNIT: ACC-APG/Tenant Contracting Division TOTAL YEARS OF ARMY SERVICE: 26 (20 years on active duty, 6 years as a civilian) AWARDS: Commander’s Award for Civilian…
POSITION: Pentagon Liaison, Program Executive Office for Ammunition TOTAL YEARS OF SERVICE: 31 (3 years in the Marine Corps; 28 years as an Army civilian) AWARDS: Army Meritorious Civilian Service Award, Army Commander’s…
POSITION: Deputy Director, Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground. UNIT: Army Contracting Command TOTAL YEARS OF ARMY SERVICE: 29 AWARDS: Superior Civilian Service Award; Commander’s Award for Civilian Service; Army…
POSITION: Civilian Deputy Director UNIT: Army Contracting Command-Rock Island TOTAL YEARS OF ARMY SERVICE: 30 AWARDS: Commander’s Award for Civilian Service; Superior Civilian Service Award (2); Secretary of the Army…
POSITION: Contracting Officer/Team Lead UNIT: Mission and Installation Contracting Command–Fort Bliss/919th Contingency Contracting Battalion TOTAL YEARS OF ARMY SERVICE: 9 AWARDS: Commander’s Award for Civilian Service EDUCATION: MBA and B.A….
POSITION: Supervisory Contract Specialist/Director UNIT: Mission and Installation Contracting Command TOTAL YEARS OF ARMY SERVICE: 36 AWARDS: Secretary of the Army Excellence in Contracting AbilityOne Award (2); Commander’s Award for…
POSITION: Contingency Contracting Officer UNIT: Mission and Installation Contracting Command, 900th Contingency Contracting Battalion, 419th Contracting Support Brigade TOTAL YEARS OF ARMY SERVICE: 22 AWARDS: Meritorious Service Medal (4); Joint…
POSITION: Branch Chief, Contract Pricing UNIT: Army Contracting Command TOTAL YEARS OF ARMY SERVICE: 5 AWARDS: DA Achievement Medal for Civilian Service EDUCATION: J.D., University of Baltimore; B.S. in business…
POSITION: Battalion Sergeant Major UNIT: 922nd Contingency Contracting Battalion TOTAL YEARS OF ARMY SERVICE: 18 years AWARDS: Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Commendation Medal (2…
TITLE: Contracting Officer UNIT: Army Contracting Command TOTAL YEARS OF ARMY SERVICE: 9 AWARDS: Official Commendation, Department of the Army (2); Commander’s Award for Civilian Service; Star Note, Program Executive…
POSITION: Chief, Training and Readiness, G-3 UNIT: Mission and Installation Contracting Command TOTAL YEARS OF ARMY SERVICE: 16 AWARDS: Air Force Women-Owned Small Business Outreach Excellence Award; Randolph Air Force…
POSITION: Chief, Southern Regional Contracting Office UNIT: Healthcare Acquisition Activity, MEDCOM TOTAL YEARS OF ARMY SERVICE: 23 AWARDS: Bronze Star (2), Meritorious Service Medal (3), Army Commendation Medal (6), Army…
POSITION: Director, Utility Helicopter Contracts UNIT: U.S. Army Contracting Command TOTAL YEARS OF ARMY SERVICE: 25 AWARDS: Superior Civilian Service Award, 2013; Secretary of the Army, Excellence in Contracting, Team…
POSITION: Contracting Officer UNIT: Southern Regional Contracting Office, Brooke Army Medical Center TOTAL YEARS OF SERVICE: 16 years, Army; 10 years, Air Force EDUCATION: B.B.A in finance, University of Texas…
POSITION: Chief, UAS Operations, Unmanned Aircraft Systems Project Office UNIT: Program Executive Office (PEO) Aviation, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. TOTAL YEARS OF SERVICE: 22 years. AWARDS: Department of the Army Commanders…
POSITION: Chief Systems Engineer, Systems Engineering and Technical Integration Division UNIT: Program Manager Maneuver Ammunition Systems, Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey TOTAL YEARS OF SERVICE: 29 years AWARDS: Commander’s Award for…
POSITION: Training With Industry Fellow COMPANY: Cisco Systems, Inc., Herndon, Virginia TOTAL YEARS OF SERVICE: 23 AWARDS: (2) Bronze Star Medals EDUCATION: MBA and M. Ed. Troy University, Troy, Alabama;…
Faces of the Force: Lt. Col. Mark Talbot POSITION: Product Manager, Indirect Fire Protection Capability, Increment 2-Intercept UNIT: Cruise Missile Defense Systems Project Office, Program Executive Office Missiles and…
Faces of the Force: Daniel Woolley POSITION: Chief Architect, Project Manager Mission Command UNIT: Program Executive Office for Command, Control and Communications-Tactical, Aberdeen, Maryland TOTAL YEARS OF SERVICE:…
Soldier uses radio frequency technology to track Army shipments worldwide By Teresa Mikulsky Purcell FOTF: What do you do in the Army? LEONARD: I recently returned from Afghanistan,…
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