A trip to Fort Riley

THE PENTAGON, DC, UNITED STATES

09.03.2015

Courtesy Story

U.S. Army Career Program 26

By Melissa Iman

**Editors Note** Mrs. Iman is a 17 year Air Force veteran. In 1997, she joined the U.S. Air Force as an Intelligence Analyst. Mrs. Iman has her MA in Intelligence and Military Studies. She was hired as a CP26 intern in October 2014 and is an Air Force Reserve member.

On May 20, 2015, the U.S. Army Force Management Support Agency (USAFMSA) team from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas traveled to Fort Riley, Kansas for a professional development day. The Infantry/Armor Branch Chief, Rob Varney, says he organized the trip for “USAFMSA Document Integrators (DI) to gain an appreciation for the end result of their documentation efforts. The plan was for DI’s to see and handle some of the equipment they document, observe unit-level training, and interact with the crews and Soldiers to gain an appreciation of what is involved with operating and maintaining the equipment within the confines of a one-day trip."

A trip like this benefits all the members of USAFMSA, but especially the interns that may not previously possess the knowledge of how the war-fighters function with their various systems and equipment. CP26 interns come from all backgrounds. With a 17-year history of Air Force Intelligence, I was able to see USAFMSA’s mission in a totally new light. The minute I climbed into the M-109A6 Paladin howitzer my view totally changed. This learning experience will enable me to support the Fires/SOF branch more efficiently.

Mr. Mike Lamb, one of my key mentors explains, "while it is vital for interns to see the equipment hands on, the ability to see the equipment in its environment and how it is employed enables you to provide better analysis and therefore, become a better documenter.”

“It was a very delightful experience to go out into the field to interact with Soldiers and learn their duty functions and to have an upfront look at the equipment that you are personally documenting. It is a totally different environment from previously being in their position to now being the documenter affecting their mission requirements,” says Ms. Cathelina Nicholas, another CP26 intern at USAFMSA, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

• Date Taken: 09.03.2015
• Date Posted: 09.04.2015 10:48
• Story ID: 175282
• Location: THE PENTAGON, DC, US
• Hometown: FORT LEAVENWORTH, KS, US
• Hometown: FORT RILEY, KS, US