Its 55 Years And Counting For AMCOM Leader Who Loves Numbers

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- All his life, Mark Barkley has been fascinated with numbers.

Now, the mathematical tables have turned and the numbers that Barkley represents are climbing to fascinating heights.

This Aviation and Missile Command Resource Management deputy director for finance and analysis recently celebrated 55 years of service as a government civilian, making him one of AMCOM's longest serving employees.

"I like work and being here at AMCOM," Barkley said. "I learn something each day. I find that work motivates you and keeps your mind engaged."

Barkley was recognized recently for his longevity by Maj. Gen. Jim Richardson, who presented him with a service award during a ceremony packed with well-wishers in the command group lobby of AMCOM headquarters.

"We are truly blessed to have you," Richardson told Barkley during the ceremony.

"We had to come up with an award for 55 years. They don't make these. Just think about all he has seen and done over the last 55 years of his civilian work. His selfless service goes all the way back to the days of the Cuban missile crisis. It's unbelievable that you've dedicated your entire life to this nation. Because of all your experience, you are teaching me."

"Just being here, sir, is worth it to me," Barkley replied. "It's worth it being able to do something in support of Soldiers."

Although 55 years may seem like a long time, it pales in comparison to the length of time his father was on the job in their hometown of Pell City, Ala.

"My father worked until he was 99. He started out as a fireman for the railroad. He was the one who fed the fire to make the steam in the steam engine," he said. "He did other jobs with the railroad and his last job was mostly just in a supportive role.

"My dad taught me to be the best I could be at whatever job I took. He would say you have to do your best because what you do represents you."

Barkley's entire government career hasn't been at AMCOM. He completed two years of college before enlisting in the Army, where he served in the Korean War and in Japan as an aviation and anti-aircraft supply logistician.

"The first unit I was in, I was the only black man," he recalled. "The next unit, I was one of two black men. I was eager to write my U.S. representative and senators to tell them about the problems I faced as a black man in the Army.

"But things started falling into place and I didn't feel like I had to write those letters so much. The military, in general, was straight forward in getting integration to work and I started developing friendships. After a while, you just forget about race and I saw that if I did my work, I could move up."

After two years of active duty, Barkley was assigned to the Reserves and went back to college, earning his bachelor's degree in mathematics from Alabama State University.

taught high school math for three years, earned a graduate degree, and worked for the Air Force and then for the U.S. Defense Mapping Agency, both in St. Louis, Mo. He then worked for the Aviation Systems Command in St. Louis, a move that took him back to the Army as a civilian.

"After that, I stayed with the Army working in systems and cost analysis, or resource management," Barkley recalled. "I was part of the merger of the Aviation and Troop Support Command with the Missile Command, moving to Redstone Arsenal with the establishment of the Aviation and Missile Command in 1997. It was a good move because both my dad and mother-in-law were sick and needed my wife and me closer to them in Alabama."

Barkley was 61 when he moved to Redstone with AMCOM. His work in Army finance and budgeting changed with technology during his career, going from electric typewriters to word processing machines to today's laptop computers.

"I love challenges and I like learning things as I go," he said. "That's what keeps me going -- knowing I can learn something new every day. Technology made the work easier, as long as you know how to use it."

His 18 years in Resource Management at AMCOM have gone by quickly, he said, because the work has been rewarding and he's enjoyed working with his co-workers. Again, he has seen that hard work brings rewards, recognition and promotion.

"I really enjoy the people. We have a mixture of young folks and mature folks, and trying to get them to share and work together is an interesting challenge," he said. "And, I especially like working with numbers. I started out working with spread sheets manually. It is so much easier now with computers."

Barkley shares his knowledge and experience with other employees through mentoring, coaching and teaching. He works closely with those employees he supervises to ensure they are doing their best work.

"In every situation, I tell them to be calm and don't rush to judgment. You should always listen to what people have to say. But don't act on everything people tell you because you'll find somewhere along the way that you didn't get the full picture," he said.

"I also advise to be willing to work as a team player, to be honest with one another and to be kind to people regardless of how they act towards you because you control your life. They don't control your life unless you let them."

Two AMCOM generals stand out as among the best during Barkley's career -- one is Maj. Gen. Julian Sullivan, who "was strict but I didn't mind that," and Maj. Gen. Jim Richardson, "who has a great personality and who really tries to treat people right."

He also counsels the 27 nieces and nephews that he and wife Arrie Ann share between their two families. One of those nephews is retired basketball star Charles Barkley, whose accolades include playing on the U.S. Olympic "Dream Team" in 1992.

"We've always told them that 'If you can't make it where you are then come home.' I've learned over the years that spending time with them keeps them out of trouble," he said. "And, I tell them that, as young adults, they have three things to choose between -- go to college, go to trade school or go to the military. Don't worry about what others have and what others do. You do what you think is right."

Barkley enjoys attending church at First Baptist in Blue Springs and participating in a local charitable organization known as 100 Black Men of Huntsville.

"I know the good Lord will take care of me and my family and all those who have faith in him. And, I'm going to do my best to make that happen by helping others and showing them kindness," he said.