Julie Schumacher, deputy to the commander, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command, leads a small group mentor session during the "Fly Like an Eagle" mentoring event at the command's operational headquarters at Peter...
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command leadership hosted a workforce mentoring event Aug. 19 at the command's operational headquarters here.
Julie Schumacher, deputy to the commander, USASMDC/ARSTRAT, who led the charge for pulling this event together, provided opening remarks.
"Our purpose for today is to gain shared perspectives on leadership and career advancement, to inspire thoughts and actions toward professional development and to start fostering a culture of mentoring across the command," she said. "My hope is that you'll walk away with a few good nuggets that you can use to help you in your current position or in your future career planning.
"As with many things in our lives, we have to take the lead for our career development. Nobody is going to do it for us. You have to be proactive; seek out information, people to talk to and opportunities; and you have to get into the driver seat for your own career," she added.
An executive leadership panel that included Lt. Gen. David Mann, commanding general; Brig. Gen. Greg Bowen, deputy commanding general for operations; James Johnson, director, Future Warfare Center; Tom Webber, director, Space and Strategic Systems Directorate, Technical Center; Richard DeFatta, acting director, Technical Center; and Steve Pierce, chief technology officer, offered a question and answer session for both civilian and military members of the workforce.
After the panel, mentors rotated between small groups where they discussed leadership and career issues and answered questions from the personnel in attendance.
One employee who participated in the small group sessions thought the event was a great opportunity.
"Getting career advice firsthand from our own leadership is priceless information," said Tisha Crespin, Protocol Office. "I am looking forward to more of these great workforce development events."
Tomi McMoore of the G-4 said the session was motivating, and he would like to see more of these events in the future.
"As a brand new DA civilian with less than two months on the job, the advice of the seasoned, experienced professionals -- volunteer mentors -- fueled my motivation to strive to do what they have achieved in their time," McMoore said. "Their message of seeking professional development training opportunities and positions and applying maximum potential at job performance was key to positive progress. More importantly, they emphasized how harmonious people relations coupled with ideal job performance is critical in building one's solid professional reputation, which is beneficial for someone seeking to continually progress.
"Personnel and leadership change out," he said. "It would be advantageous to hear the perspective of the new folks as they rotate through duty positions. Also, it is a great venue for networking opportunities with others throughout the command."
Following the small group sessions there were opportunities for one-on-one sessions for employees seeking additional career guidance.
Phyllis Baez, 1st Space Brigade's executive assistant, found her one-on-one session with Lisa Gilbert of the Technical Center to be the most beneficial part of the event for her.
"Mrs. Gilbert provided great advice that I will incorporate into my career goals," said Baez. "I'm definitely looking forward to future contact with her."
As for the overall event, Baez said, "Today's mentoring session benefited me the most by giving me that spark I needed to re-energize myself. Also, the advice received by the panel members was heartfelt as well as inspirational. They reminded us all to always keep a good balance of our personal and professional lives. Our career's matter, but so do our families."
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