REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. – The U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville is investing in the next generation of engineers by providing interns with hands-on experience and mentorship that prepares them for their engineering future once they graduate.
Five interns spent over two months working alongside engineers across Huntsville Center’s Engineering Directorate. Through training and site visits, they gained firsthand experience with the design, construction and execution of projects that support military installations in disciplines like electronic security services, access control points and more.
Christian Jarrett, a mechanical engineering student at Auburn University, said his family’s military history inspired him to pursue an opportunity with the Corps of Engineers.
“I grew up hearing great things about the Army. Since my great grandfather served in both World War II and Vietnam, there was always prestige about serving in the military and working for the government,” Jarrett said.
Throughout the internship, Jarrett researched HVAC and plumbing systems to ensure they met building codes and design criteria. One of his favorite experiences was participating in a building walkthrough of Huntsville Center’s Headquarters building on Redstone Arsenal translating academic concepts into practical applications.
“Seeing all of the different systems that we have been learning about working together and how they are implemented into a real design was really eye opening,” he said. “Getting to watch engineers in the field was a great experience.”
Kevin Peet, a mechanical engineering student at The University of Alabama, explained how his interest in USACE began long before college.
“My father has worked for different organizations within USACE and now works at Huntsville Center,” Peet said. “Hearing about the all the different places I could go and all the different things I could do here encouraged me to apply.”
During the summer, Peet learned how engineering codes and standards influence every stage of the design process.
“I learned about all the codes that are needed to ensure systems function correctly,” he stated. “Everything theoretically could work, but until you look at the codes in real-world applications, you don’t know if a system can be utilized.”
He elaborated on how the experience helped him see an overall product instead of segmented parts of a process. “I was able to see the codes and regulations I have learned about throughout the summer in action,” he said. “It was nice to see how everything comes together into one finished product.”
Ian Anzigare, a civil engineering student at The University of Alabama in Huntsville, said he applied to the internship to gain practical experience that would complement his education.
“I learned how much information goes into a geotechnical report, from soil composition to determining whether an area is safe to build on,” Anzigare said. “I also gained experience using AutoCAD, which I have heard is one of the primary tools used in the industry.”
Beyond technical development, Anzigare appreciated Huntsville Center’s workplace culture.
“There were activities like racing RC cars during National Safety Month that brought people together,” he said. “Events where we could step away from our desk and meet other people were appreciated.”
Caden Bailes, an electrical engineering student at Auburn University, said he learned about the internship through a family connection and was interested in experiencing government engineering firsthand.
“My dad works on Redstone Arsenal and has always said great things about working here,” Bailes said. “When I heard about the internship, I decided to apply.”
Throughout the internship, Bailes gained insight into the complete project lifecycle, from design and procurement to installation.
“I had cool experiences that I would have never been able to do if I wasn’t working here,” Bailes said. “I learned a lot about the overall engineering process and how a project goes from design to procurement to installation.”
Wyatt Donaldson, a civil engineering student at Auburn University, said the internship expanded his technical knowledge while preparing him for the future.
“I learned about the equipment that is used for surveying and why it is important for access control points,” Donaldson said. “I also learned about different programs that are used like Civil 3D. Learning all of this makes it easier to come back and work here once I graduate and gives me experience that makes me more competitive.”
Throughout the summer, the students participated in field visits that brought engineering concepts off the textbook page and into real life and across the country. From surveying access control points at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to conducting network testing in Anniston, Alabama, and performing site surveys at Fort Rucker, Alabama, the interns saw how engineering decisions are validated through fieldwork and collaboration.
One site visit was closer to home. Rhonda Fetner, Mechanical Engineering Branch chief alongside senior mechanical engineers Jerry Weber, DJ Fusero and Sandy Wood led the interns through a review of Huntsville Center’s facility design before conducting a site walkthrough. They compared the initial blueprints directly to the building’s final physical installation.
Fetner said providing interns with opportunities to learn directly from experienced engineers is essential to developing the future workforce.
“Our goal is to give interns meaningful experiences that connect what they are learning in their college classes with real-world engineering experience,” Fetner said. “By combining training with hands-on learning, we’re preparing them to become the next generation of engineers supporting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers missions.”