Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Nicholas J. De La Pena | Debra Schmitz, material handling specialist, lets out a scream after being startled by...... read more read more
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FORT MCCOY, Wis. – Debra Schmitz, a material handling specialist, is the first person most visitors see upon entering the Training Aid Support Center on Fort McCoy, Wisconsin. The Wisconsin native with the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security, has assisted units with their equipment requests needed to successfully train their troops for over 30 years and does it with a smile.
Schmitz said she builds relationships with various service members from all branches that train at the base and tries to boost morale for any group that enters her workspace.
“I love the people and … if I can make somebody happier when I see them, I do,” Schmitz said.
Often times when customers come in for support and seem unhappy, she’ll joke around or play a little prank on them to boost their mood, Schmitz said.
“We have a Nerf gun here … the (customer) was so mad, so I reached down, grabbed the gun and, pow!”
Tilting her head back, Schmitz erupted in laughter with the memory, but said TASC customers usually leave smiling.
“She is a very optimistic person,” said Jason Allen, material handling specialist. “She can lighten the mood around here pretty easily joking around, and still bring a smile to everybody’s face that walks through the door,” Allen added.
Allen has worked with Schmitz for two years. He said with her experience, she brings a lot of knowledge to the table, allowing units to have more effective training.
“They (customers) always comment how this … is one of their favorite TASCs to go to in all the country,” Allen said. He continued that the warehouse is clean and organized and customers often remark at how friendly the staff is due to Schmitz’s jovial disposition.
He further explained that customers cannot make reservations and sometimes come in with requests that they may not actually need. In those circumstances, having Schmitz’s experience becomes vital, Allen said. “We do a needs-based analysis to make sure that the customer is getting the best possible training.”
Schmitz said TASC works with the units, even if their paperwork is not always perfect.
“We usually will tell people yes, instead of telling them no,” Schmitz said.
Schmitz said she’s happy, hard-working and enjoys her job but knows the she won’t be with TASC forever.
After more than 30 years, Schmitz’s eyes are now set on retirement in the coming years. She plans to work with one of her daughter’s organization assists elderly veterans with their daily needs. Until then, she’ll continue to support troops with training equipment and provide smiles free of charge.
Story was originally published on Fort McCoy base guide website, (22 July, 2019) and can be found here (https://mybaseguide.com/News/184-60693/fort_mccoy_tasc_offers_training_support_with_a_smile).
| Date Taken: | 07.20.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 07.22.2019 10:46 |
| Story ID: | 332284 |
| Location: | FORT MCCOY, WISCONSIN, US |
| Web Views: | 110 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, TASC offers training support with a smile, by SFC Nicholas J. De La Pena, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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