Civilian Expeditionary Workforce offers IMCOM employee unique development

By Ms. Amanda S Rodriguez (IMCOM)February 25, 2015

Civilian Expeditionary Workforce offers unique development to IMCOM employee
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Civilian Expeditionary Workforce offers unique development to IMCOM employee
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SAN ANTONIO (Feb. 23, 2015) -- Joining the Civilian Expeditionary Workforce took André Douglas from program manager to deputy commander.

Douglas, a civilian with the U.S. Army Installation Management Command's resource management directorate, applied to CEW to broaden his experience. His tour as the deputy garrison commander of Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, yielded benefits both tangible and intangible.

"Career-wise, it gave me an opportunity to gain 17 months of experience as a deputy commander, making me more competitive for a permanent position CONUS or OCONUS," he said.

As a military retiree, Douglas found himself on familiar ground as he prepared to deploy. After accepting the position in 2013, he attended civilian pre-deployment training at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center, Indiana. There, he went through mobilization processing, which included medical, dental, and financial readiness, as well as safety, security and cultural awareness training.

"For non-veteran civilian employees, the pre-deployment training might seem a little stressful," said Douglas. "It's designed to be as realistic as possible, though civilian deployment is a very different experience. For one thing, we don't carry weapons."

Douglas stepped off the plane at Bagram into a new and more challenging role. He was promoted to a higher pay grade and, as the deputy garrison commander of the largest U.S. installation in Afghanistan, he supported a joint-service population of more than 30,000.

"I have never been a garrison commander before, but someone recognized that I had the potential, the right mix of knowledge and experience to do that job. Potential to lead is what it's all about. Half of the staff were IMCOM civilians, but I also had Air Force, Navy and contract employees. Their technical skill was amazing. I brought leadership, they brought knowledge and perspective. I learned so much from them, it was incredible."

With two children in college and a third to follow, Douglas acknowledged the financial benefits of post differential, hazardous-duty and overtime pay. But he quickly pointed out what he considered the most important reasons to deploy.

"If you want to deploy, it has to be more than just money. You have to do it because you want to serve -- your country, service members, civilians and contractors in combat -- and you want to make a difference," Douglas said.

"They need you and you'll see just how much when you arrive. There's a shortage of DoD civilians there, so people are looking for you, they're happy to see you and you may find yourself taking on other jobs, gaining unforeseen experience because of it, so you've got to go with an open mind and willingness to learn."

Using the authorized 21 leave days every three months and focusing on goal-setting, helped Douglas face the realities of living in a combat zone -- potential danger, austere conditions, isolation from family.

"It's the best thing I've done in my life, but you've got to prepare yourself for it," Douglas said. "You've got to have a goal going into it. You go there not just to do a job, it's about learning your profession, doing whatever it takes to support the service members and fill the gaps. Nowhere else do civilian employees truly understand their value."

While in the dynamic environment of Bagram, Douglas could count on a fast-paced, 12-hour (or more) work day and a seven-day work week. A typical day began with a 4:30 a.m. workout, then breakfast and off to work at 8 a.m., he said.

"Every day is different when you're in that environment," Douglas said, "based on what's happened during the previous 12 hours and the mission . . .[and the] mission changes every day. It's a once in a life time experience to serve with Soldiers, airmen and Marines," Douglas said. "It's a community of people who want to do good things. You live together, eat together, cry together. Over there, you're a true family."

Douglas took about a year and a half after his initial application before accepting a position because, he said, he was looking for specific experience as either a director of human resources or deputy commander.

"When you sign up, it'll be the greatest thing you've done in your life," Douglas said. "It's that meaningful. I would jump at the chance to do it again."

For additional information about the Civilian Expeditionary Workforce, please visit http://www.imcom.army.mil/Organization/G1Personnel/CivilianPersonnel/CivilianExpeditionaryWorkforce.aspx or http://www.cpms.osd.mil/expeditionary/.