MCALESTER, Okla. - Twelve students graduated on June 16 from the Army's oldest career program, the U.S. Army Defense Ammunition Center's (DAC) Quality Assurance Specialist (Ammunition Surveillance) (QASAS) career program.
Students who came from across the United States completed 12 months of extensive technical training in ammunition logistics, explosives safety, surveillance, and hazardous materials as well as critical thinking, problem solving and leadership curriculum. The interns have recently been assigned to six different locations to complete a one-year On-the-Job Training (OJT).
According to Gary Carney, DAC Director, "the interns will be assuming positions in the ammunition community that are an essential part of the Department of Defense."
The job functions of a QASAS include establishing an ammunition surveillance program to determine the condition of the ammunition stockpile, establishing procedures that assure functionally reliable ammunition is safe for storage, handling and use, performing inspections on Class V materials to include conventional munitions, missiles and rockets, and chemical surety material and performing explosives safety surveys and inspections on explosives operations and facilities.
Addressing the students at the graduation ceremony was Jyuji Hewitt, Deputy to JMC commanding general and Functional Chief Representative for the QASAS career program.
Hewitt's address was very unique, in that he actively involved the graduating intern class. He provided answers to questions dealing with the QASAS program and requested that the interns provide the questions. In his words "I played jeopardy with the interns."
Hewitt also addressed the importance of self-service and stressed to the graduates to "love your country, love the Army - go wherever the Army needs you to go."
As part of the QASAS career program, mandatory mobility is required. Hewitt encouraged the graduates "to continue to grow each time you move; grow in technical expertise, health and leadership. Work into an ammo expert," said Hewitt.
In addition to the benefits to our military, the career programs at DAC also have a significant impact on the local economy. Currently there are 58 interns in the McAlester area with a new class of 27 starting in June. DAC provides ammunition-related training annually to more than 40,000 military, civilian and international students enrolled in a variety of educational arrangements, including on-site, off-site, and web-based training.
Social Sharing