REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- To create continuity across the organization, the U.S. Army Materiel Command hosted more than 30 former interns at its headquarters and Anniston Army Depot Oct. 28-29.
The first AMC Intern Summit brought together former interns across the command's installations, depots and arsenals to learn more about AMC and create the way ahead for future interns. The event created command-wide networks and laid the ground work for AMC's 1,000 intern initiative.
The group had the chance to hear from the Commanding General of AMC, Gen. Dennis Via, the Executive Deputy to the Commanding General, Lisha Adams, and other AMC leadership.
"The most important part of a building is the foundation; then as each layer of brick goes on top, it strengthens the building so it can withstand the storms of life," said Via. "We're building the next generation of AMC leaders from the ground up, and we need to hear from you to strengthen the intern program for tomorrow."
Via shared leadership insights with the participants, encouraging them to maintain a positive attitude, set their own standards, have discipline and be accountable to their actions.
"You need to set your own standards and be the absolute best at what you do," said Via.
Adams, an intern herself, shared advice from her 32-year career from the bottom to the top of AMC, emphasizing the importance of growth.
"You should seek new experiences daily," said Adams. "Grow is an acronym. G stands for get the facts and information you need. R is relationships; you need to develop and sustain relationships. O is open your mind; do something different. W is walk towards wisdom."
Participants in the summit shared their experiences and participated in a case study that will serve as a recommendation for AMC's future internship programs to ensure that interns across the command have the same experiences.
"I had a great experience as an intern so I wanted to be involved with this to help shape the program so they can become our future senior leaders," said Kristen Kelly, a management analyst at the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command's Software Engineering Center.
On the second day, the group, along with AMC's summer hires, traveled to Anniston to learn about the importance of the Army's Organic Industrial Base first-hand. The group toured the Combat Vehicle Assembly/Disassembly and the Small Arms facility, where they got the chance to fire a M2 .50 Caliber Machine Gun.
"It's all so impressive," said Thomas Yanochoko an electronics mechanic at Tobyhanna Army Depot. "You come out here and you get a whole new respect for everything that AMC does. It is way bigger than I thought."
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