Photo By Lance Cpl. Jack Chen | Angeleana Torres, a purchasing agent with Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic, Marine Forces...... read more read more
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CAMP ELMORE, Va.—Angeleana Torres is a purchasing agent with Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic (FMFLANT), Marine Forces Command (MARFORCOM), Marine Forces Northern Command (MARFOR NORTHCOM), Headquarters and Service Battalion (HQSVCBN). Raised by a single parent and two siblings, Torres was far from pampered as a child. She matured fast compared to others her age and eventually developed a sense of independence. Watching her father struggle to look after the family compelled her into assisting with the family's finances. Once she began college, she started paying her student loans working as a locksmith supply salesperson. Her goal in obtaining a degree is to eventually get a successful job, however life doesn't always work out as planned.
“After finishing high school I departed for college. I needed to pay for my student loans so I had to continuously work.” Torres stated, “The opportunity for a good job wasn’t always a guarantee even with a degree.”
During college Torres decided to enlist into the United States Army in order to relieve some of her debt and financially provide for her husband and child. After taking the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test, she found a shortcoming in herself. As a native of Humacao, Puerto Rico, Spanish was her first language and her English language comprehension suffered greatly. However, she didn’t let one deficiency drag her down and continued to improve herself in order to conquer her weakness. After studying reading materials with her recruiter and friends she decided to retake the ASVAB test and achieved astonishing results.
“It took me eight months; reading newspapers, magazines and listening to people having conversations in order to improve my English comprehension ability.” Torres continued, “...but I was determined to join the U.S. Army and after several months, I did it! I passed.”
Torres’s commitment to learning English prevailed as she left for U.S. Army Basic Combat Training (BCT) in January, 2005 and graduated from BCT with a petroleum supply specialist military occupational specialty (MOS). Her MOS supplies soldiers with fuel to maintain mission readiness and manage the use of various petroleum-based products. After five years of dedicated service with the army, her contract came to an end in October, 2009. Her enlistment had given her a sense of nationalism, however she enjoyed working alongside military personnel and contributing to an organization greater than herself.
Torres stated, “Even though I am not in the military, if I am with the government I can still give my service to the nation.”
After her end of active service from the U.S. Army she searched for another way to support her family financially. Her devotion for the country directed her towards serving the military as a purchasing agent for FMFLANT, MARFORCOM, MARFOR NORTHCOM, HQSVCBN. This unique opportunity provided her with a steady income and allowed her to continue serving the United States.
“I really enjoy being a part of this organization. I came to this with little understanding of what it does and received substantial help from my supervisor.” Torres continued, “I am able to grow and learn more about this job every day.”
Torres’s job is to handle customers requesting services or supplies, research vendors and formulate a contract to acquire the services. Purchasing agents are professionals and the backbone of the unit at procuring supplies with the best price and quality. She has sought reading material and classes to improve her skills at being a purchasing agent and her devotion to her work shows as she takes the initiative to complete additional tasks.
Torres said, “No one told me to close those contracts. I just saw that they were open and started finding information that is required to close them, finding the providers and customers to verify that the goods were being delivered and received.”
Torres's next goal in her career is to become a contract specialist and eventually a contract officer. A contract specialist is an assistant for the contract officer, reviewing and writing up contracts, for the contract officer to negotiate, modify, or terminate the contracts. She enjoys being a Department of Defense contractor, her time working as a purchasing agent has prepared her the necessary experience she needs to go further into her career as she assists customers. She is grateful to her supervisor and everyone that has assisted her in her journey and helped her achieve a better career.
“I’m enjoying my career, being able to assist a customer, and being able to help them along the way to acquire their needs.” Torres stated, “I’m always positive, I never miss work, I'm not going to wait to be told to accomplish something.”
| Date Taken: | 03.30.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 03.30.2022 12:27 |
| Story ID: | 417446 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 67 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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