Army spouse, Army mom, Army civilian, Army Strong

Photo By Cory Hancock | Michele Davis stands in front of the Career Program 26 logo at the Pentagon. (Photo by Shawn Dillahunt, CP26 Proponency Office)  

THE PENTAGON, DC, UNITED STATES

12.23.2014

Story by Cory Hancock 

U.S. Army Career Program 26

WASHINGTON - Dedication and service to the United States Army is normally recognized by medals and the rank a Soldier wears. However this is not the style of Michele Davis.

Michele is not only an Army spouse and Army mother but she is also an Army civilian who helps to guide the careers of the future leaders in the Army’s manpower and force management career program.

Michele speaks fondly of her upbringing as a military brat. She was born on Camp Lejeune and grew up in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Her father, a Marine, was often deployed. This left her mother to raise her family and she credits her mother for much for her success.

“My mom was the backbone of our family. Back then we didn’t have social media to keep in touch like we do now. My mom was there to make sure we didn’t miss a beat when dad was gone, this example helped me when I became an Army spouse,” remembered Michele.

“The entire Army is a family. Uniformed, civilian and the leadership all come together to support one another. I enjoy this sense of community, it was something that the Marine Corps did not have when I was growing up,” recounted Michele.

In 2003, Michele moved to Germany when her husband deployed to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. During this deployment she kept herself busy by volunteering for the installation’s Family Readiness Group.

“Phone calls were hard to come by when he first deployed, but all of it was second nature because of my upbringing,” said Michele. “If it’s keeping a wife who misses her husband company or a wife who needs someone to go with her in the middle of the night because of a miscarriage, you do what you have to do to support your Army family.”

It is not always easy balancing her roles, especially since her husband, an active duty Soldier, is currently in the midst of a two year deployment to Korea and Kuwait, and her son Alex is in his first year at the United States Military Academy at West Point. After seeing her husband through six deployments, Michele has still managed to keep a sense of normalcy. She notes that being both a mom and a dad is tough. But she is not just tough, she is Army Strong.

“I have to prioritize. Family comes first, this includes my Army family. Six deployments is hard, yes, but I don’t have time to make excuses. It was tough seeing Alex leave for college, but sending him up to West Point made it easier for me because I knew he would be looked after by the Army family. Knowing that makes it a lot easier on me,” said Michele.

As an Army civilian, Michele works on grooming the future leaders of manpower and force management and of the Army. The mentorship she provides is invaluable to those who she helps, and it is something that she finds extremely rewarding.

“When I look across the Army the Soldiers out there are someone’s son or daughter. They choose a life of service, so the least I can do is to work as hard as I can to ensure this Army is the strongest it can be. These men and women volunteer to serve their country and I feel it’s my duty to support them,” added Michele.

Work at the Pentagon can seem miles away from the front lines and those who work on the generating force side of the military are often overlooked.

“These are the people who are the foundation of that Army. It’s often an overlooked job, but it is one of the most critical to build and keep our Army strong. I really enjoy watching people we mentor become successful. Seeing our interns become careerists and our careerists become leaders, especially when they didn’t think it was possible,” said Michele. “Mentorship is important. It makes a difference. You never know what difference it will make to someone. To see them accomplish what they are capable of makes it all worth it. Soldiers are on 24/7, and I make sure I am there to support them. I want to make sure they know that I’m always available.”

Michele works for the Army’s G-1. According to the G-1 website, they develop, manage and execute all manpower and personnel plans, programs and policies, across all Army components, for the entire Army team. Despite the complex environment in the Pentagon, the G-1 leadership recognizes how important it is to take care of people, something that is often lost at the headquarters level.

“My leadership understands the value people have and what they bring to the Army. My job is made easier because the leadership understands my passion and allows me to do what I enjoy, which is helping people. I’m very lucky because I wouldn’t be able to do what I do without their support.”

Although recognition and awards is not the style of Michele Davis, she is worthy of them. She not only lives by the Army values but also epitomizes what it means to be Army Strong, although she would never mention that.

“The military is my family business, and I’m proud to call this great Army my family.”

• Date Taken: 12.23.2014
• Date Posted: 12.23.2014 12:28
• Story ID: 150997
• Location: THE PENTAGON, DC, US
• Hometown: CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US
• Hometown: JACKSONVILLE, NC, US
• Hometown: WOODBRIDGE, VA, US