Linda Black

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - An executive administrative assistant with the CECOM G3/5/ Operations said she derives job satisfaction from supporting Soldiers.

Linda Blake, a contractor, handles all the executive administrative tasks including calendar oversight, Defense Travel System travel arrangements, and coordination and scheduling of appointments with senior leadership.

She is also tasked with coordinating education courses and confirmation of attendance and tracking timekeeping and approvals through the Automated Time Attendance Production System. Additionally, she provides administrative support to CECOM G9 /Strategic Communications, and G2/ Security, as needed.

“This job is a way of giving back to my country, I am patriotic so I felt it was an honor, really to work for the military,” she said. “My little portion of what I can give, I feel proud of that.”

According to Blake, her years of experience have helped her prepare for this role. She has also served as an administrative assistant for IBM, University of Delaware, Raytheon and the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory. She describes being an administrative assistant as “part of her life.”

“I got a lot of experience in this role,” she said. “I don’t want to say it comes easily because there is always something new to learn and something different going on. I think the most important thing for me is knowing how organized and detailed I can be and how that is helpful to the people that I support.”

Blake said she enjoys keeping everything organized and running smoothly. She aims to bring positivity to her job, she said.

“I am proud of that, that I can be the go-to person; that I can be the person that even a high-level executive can come to me with something and I can get it done or I can make sure it gets done,” she said.  “I appreciate that faith and I try to keep on top of things.”

Outside of work, Blake said she cherishes spending time with her family and is a proud grandmother or “Gigi” to her two-year-old grandson Eric.

“When they see something for the first time, their eyes get big, they just get excited,” she said. “And they have unlimited love for you, it’s just wonderful. It’s refreshing.”