ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. -- Four months of learning and hard work came to an end April 19 for 15 Minority College Relations Program interns after each out-briefed a general officer on their accomplishments within the Army Sustainment Command and Joint Munitions Command.
Brig. Gen Kevin G. O'Connell, commanding general, Joint Munitions and Lethality Life Cycle Management Command/Joint Munitions Command, RIA, watched the interns conduct their out-briefings in the ASC commanding general's conference room.
Assisting O'Connell were Col. Scott Lofreddo, chief of staff, ASC, and Susan McKinnis, chief, Installation Contracting Division, Army Contracting Command.
The internships began Jan. 7.
The ASC/JMC MCRP mission is to develop collaborative programs within the commands, allowing minority institutions to participate in the programs and enhance the future readiness of each through these partnerships. The vision statement calls for expanding mutually beneficial partnering opportunities between the Army and minority educational institutions.
The internships allow college students, or those who recently graduated, an opportunity to work side-by-side Army civilian employees, contractors and Soldiers.
Interns in order of their out-briefings were:
O Charles Johnson, North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, ASC Equal Employment Opportunity Office
O Jessica Deharo, The University of Texas at El Paso, ASC Office of Counsel, Congressional Affairs
O Jasmine Vinson, Alabama A&M University, JMC Enterprise Integration Office
O Sandy Favela, The University of Texas at El Paso, ASC Resource Management
O Olivia Avila, The University of Texas at El Paso, JMC Munitions & Logistics Readiness Center, ERP Systems Analysis and Reporting Division
O William Sanders, The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, JMC Commodity Management Directorate -- Production Support and Maintenance Division
O Akima Huggins, Alabama A&M University, ASC Human Resources
O Matthew Hizon, The University of Texas at El Paso, JMC Industrial Preparedness Division
O Yuan White, Alabama A & M University, ASC Financial Operations Division
O Jasmine Phillips, Prairie View A & M University, ASC Public Affairs Office
O Shaquita Banks, The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, JMC Equal Employment Opportunity Office
O Elizabeth Ruiz, The University of Texas at El Paso, JMC Worldwide Ammunition Reporting System Team
O Eric Ramirez, The University of Texas at El Paso, ASC Engineering Division
Briefing the day before were interns:
O Beth-April King, Alabama A & M University, Government Contact Administration
O James Mason, The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, JMC -- Quality Directorate
Aside from explaining what work they completed, which in some cases included major projects, the interns also told of the lessons learned during their internship.
Lessons included "driving in the snow," "time management and following a work plan to obtain solid results," learning the "cost of validation techniques," "participating and contributing to a team," "how to handle a colder climate," "too many acronyms" "importance of humility" and "living more independently," to name a few.
After one briefing, O'Connell said one acronym worth remembering was "J-O-B" which drew laughter from attendees and interns.
"Good luck with all your endeavors," O'Connell said after the intern out-briefings.
"My hat's off to the MCRP and those who mentored and helped the interns," he said. "America's future is very bright. Just an outstanding presentation."
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