"Bring Your Child to Work" Day makes big impact at USASMDC/ARSTRAT

By Giselle Bodin, USASMDC/ARSTRATApril 29, 2009

BYCTW Day - flight demo
1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Charlie Wilcox, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command Simulation Center, explains a flight demonstration to Christopher Whitney, 6, during Bring Your Child to Work Day on April 23. Christopher is the son of Col. Wi... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
BYCTW Day - Cunningham
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BYCTW Day - laptop
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BYCTW Day - Darby
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BYCTW Day - map
5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Alexis Ramos, 10, maps the address to her school to demonstrate satellite technology during the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command's Bring Your Child to Work Day on April 23. Alexis is the daughter of Julio Ramo... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Team Redstone hosted the annual Bring Your Child to Work Day on Thursday, April 23, 2009, with static displays and individual organizational activities throughout the arsenal. An opening ceremony began at the parade field at 8 a.m. and was followed by demonstrations and static displays. The U.S Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command (USASMDC/ARSTRAT) had several employees and their children who participated.

Demonstrations were shown from 9 a.m. Aca,!" 12 p.m. regarding fire truck and safety equipment, military working dogs, environmental services, e-cybermissions, and the AmericaAca,!a,,cs Army video game. Static displays included a variety of military vehicles, such as Avenger, HMMV-TOW, SLAMRAAM (Surfaced-Launched Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile), as well as emergency services vehicles.

In the afternoon, employees were encouraged to take their children to their own workplaces. At USASMDC/ARSTRAT, more than 20 children from ages 5 to 18 attended afternoon activities. Children and their parents received a welcome from Chief of Staff Col. Kendal Cunningham and proceeded to watch a video developed by the Future Warfare Center on Army space power.

Cunningham pointed out many futuristic elements of the video to the children and suggested that one day they could work on such developments. Aca,!A"In 15 or 20 years, we would love to see each of you be part of this command too,Aca,!A? Cunningham said. He commented on the great work that their parents do, which many of the children also seemed to notice.

Aca,!A"My parentsAca,!a,,c jobs are harder than I knew,Aca,!A? said Alysha Carter, age 12 and a seventh grader from Monrovia Middle. Alysha, the daughter of Saundra Carter from the Small Business office and George Carter of the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Life Cycle Management Command (AMCOM), said her favorite part of the experience was some of the simulations. Aca,!A"It was cool to shoot the helicopters!Aca,!A? she said.

Cade Hutchins, the youngest attendee at age 5, paid great attention to the dayAca,!a,,cs events and even took notes when Cunningham spoke. The son of Maj. Kengi Hutchins and a student at Madison Crossroads, Cade said he wanted to Aca,!A"work with DaddyAca,!A? when he grew up.

Alexis Ramos, age 10, from Lynn Fanning Elementary, discovered where her school was by searching Google Earth in the Simulation Center. Julio Ramos, AlexisAca,!a,,c father and a systems analyst at the Sim Center, said, Aca,!A"kids are really in tune with these things Aca,!" itAca,!a,,cs second nature for themAca,!A? when discussing how they will be ready to use new technology to pursue future developments.

Children also got to experience the Avenger Table Top Trainer demonstration at USASMDC/ARSTRAT. Aca,!A"It was so fun to use, but it was difficult too Aca,!A| it definitely would make a job interesting,Aca,!A? commented Darby Nash, age 12, daughter of Mike Nash from the Small Business office and a student at Riverton. The senior Nash said that his daughter was excited about everything she learned.

Aca,!A"She thought all of the futuristic elements of the command were cool. She wanted to be an engineer before, but now she really wants to be one,Aca,!A? said Mike Nash.

She wasnAca,!a,,ct the only one Aca,!" 17-year-old Rachel Stewart, a Huntsville High student and daughter of Chris Stewart of HELSTFAca,!a,,cs systems engineering division, said the dayAca,!a,,cs activities confirmed her interest in becoming an environmental or civil engineer.

Aca,!A"ItAca,!a,,cs helpful to talk to people who work in the field I am interested in and to see them doing their jobs,Aca,!A? Rachel said. Aca,!A"I hope to co-op here and stay in Huntsville after graduation. It is important to learn about the work and not just the degree. This [day] is a great chance for that. Aca,!A?