DETROIT ARSENAL, Mich. -- The highest ranking officer in the Army Materiel Command asked eight Army interns to help bring new talent to the organization's workforce.
"You are our future," Gen. Dennis L. Via, AMC's commanding general, told a group of eight Army interns at a lunch meeting that was part of his April 14 visit to U.S. Army TACOM LIfe Cycle Management Command at Detroit Arsenal.
Via discussed AMC's 1,000 Intern Initiative, designed to ignite a passion for federal service by providing 1,000 internship or outreach opportunities throughout AMC each year for the next five years. The command's workforce is 96 percent civilian, which makes the program so important, he said.
"Help us by communicating with your peers about this opportunity," Via urged the group. He also explained how the command plans to build and strengthen enduring program as it reaches out to educators and career counselors around the country.
Via shared his personal experiences as he engaged in a lively discussion with the interns from across the TACOM Life Cycle before introducing the command's top civilian. He showcased Executive Deputy to the Commanding General John B. Nerger as a successful example of the intern program.
"Mr. Nerger started his career as an intern and look where he is today," Via said. "He is the senior civilian of the command and the equivalent of a three star general."
Via and Nerger gave the interns professional development advice, tips and techniques to progress and expand their careers. Those recommendations urged interns to work hard, look for tough jobs, stay flexible, competitive and be the expert at what they do.
Intern Teresa Nelson works with the TACOM LCMC Integrated Logistics Support Center. Nelson said the message regarding expertise resonated with her. "Your work is a reflection of who you are," she said.
Via also encouraged the interns to get out of their comfort zones and take advantage of career opportunities.
"Every person is an important part of the organization," Via said. "Our bottom line is our Soldiers and getting our Soldiers home safely to their families."
The interns who attended the lunch meeting were Robert Bergen of the Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC); Emily Zumbrunnen, also of TARDEC; Mark Pittel, of the TACOM LCMC G8, Resource Management; Nicole Young, of the Army Contracting Command -- Warren (ACC-Warren); Antonio Smith, also of ACC-Warren; Anthony Koski, of the TACOM LCMC Materiel Systems Organization (MSC); Jenalyn Pollock, of the TACOM LCMC Integrated Logistics Support Center (ILSC); and Teresa Nelson, also of ILSC.
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