Meet Maj. Larry Mix: Shaping knowledge

Photo By Command Sgt. Maj. Adam Stone | Maj. Larry Mix, a resident of Farmington, N.M., and an alumnus of Arizona State University, is the knowledge management officer in charge for the 316th Expeditionary Sustainment Command. When he's not deployed, Mix is a mechanical engineer for the Arizona Power Company in northwest New Mexico. "The most memorable event in my career has to have been 9/11. By the end of September 2001, I was in Saudi Arabia as a signal platoon leader helping to build our communications infrastructure in the Middle East," said Mix. (US Army Photo)  

CAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAIT

11.20.2012

Story by Capt. Jeffrey Gruidl 

316th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)

"I’m Maj. Larry Mix, from Farmington, N.M., in the heart of America’s Southwest, and am currently deployed to Kuwait with the 316th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) as the knowledge management officer in charge.

Many people ask, what is knowledge management? My sections job is to help capture and document soldiers individual knowledge, and help its dissemination within the organization to better manage and share information.

I joined the Army in 2000 after graduating from Arizona State University with a degree in mechanical engineering. The most memorable event in my military career has to be 9/11. By the end of September 2001, I was in Saudi Arabia as a signal platoon leader helping to build up our communications infrastructure in the Middle East. Over the next five years I deployed two more times. I deployed to Kuwait with the 40th Signal Battalion and Iraq with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

In 2007, with a new wife and child on the way, I transferred to the Army Reserve. The most important thing that the Army Reserve has given me is the ability to continue to serve and maintain a civilian career. In my civilian occupation I work as a mechanical engineer for the Arizona Public Service Company in New Mexico focusing on predictive maintenance.

Being on Camp Arifjan has given me the opportunity to focus on things outside of just the mission. Being back around active duty life has helped me get focused back on fitness; I have dropped 45 pounds with a cardio-focused exercise routine. Also, my family is from Blue Gap, Ariz., on the Navajo Nation, and I have been asked to speak on a panel Nov. 20, in recognition of Native American Heritage month.

So far, this has been the easiest deployment I have had, Camp Arifjan sure beats being stuck out in the middle of nowhere.

I’d like to say hi to my wife Leona, my son Thomas, and daughter Kailey; I love you and I’ll be home soon."

• Date Taken: 11.20.2012
• Date Posted: 11.20.2012 03:49
• Story ID: 98133
• Location: CAMP ARIFJAN, KW
• Hometown: FARMINGTON, NM, US