U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) personnel are widely recognized for their willingness to volunteer their time.
Sean Franklin of YPG’s Technology and Investments Directorate was recently one of 13 Department of War civilians supporting Customs and Border Protection as part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Volunteer Force.
An Eagle Scout and nearly decade-long member of the YPG workforce, Franklin grew up in Yuma in a military family. He has performed more than 2,000 hours of community service in Yuma County and was intrigued by the solicitation of support from Department of War personnel last summer.
“As a lifelong border town resident, I really thought it would be interesting to help support the immigration issues our country is facing. I thought the convenience of my location would be very helpful to them as well: I thought maybe it could be field support operations and networking.”
As it turned out, he was instead sent to the Customs and Border Protection headquarters in Washington, DC.
“Of the civilian volunteers, only 13 were selected for CBP support throughout the country. Of those 13, only seven of us were sent to headquarters in Washington, DC.”
Franklin’s primary role was helping CBP’s Movement Coordination Cell compile data on apprehensions and deportations as they occurred. The work pace was frenetic and sometimes required up to eight consecutive days on duty.
“It was faster paced than anything I’ve ever worked before. It was very chaotic and fluid, but also very rewarding to see the impact that was being made.”
The call for volunteers has been reiterated in recent months, and prospective volunteers can apply at https://www.usajobs.gov/job/846915600.
“Don’t look at it so much as a developmental detail assignment where you’re going to obtain a whole bunch of new skillsets and trainings to bolster your career path, look at it more as an opportunity to serve in a different aspect that you may not have had the opportunity to do before,” Franklin said.
Franklin found the experience rewarding and would consider serving again.
“I’m just glad I was able to do something a little bit outside my comfort zone and norm of what I’m used to here. I could definitely see doing it again if solicited for another deployment request.”