REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. (January 19, 2016) -- In the evolving business of flight testing, a mentoring relationship forged over 10 years ago during a flight test program at Redstone Test Center (RTC) has come full circle.
Chris Kelly started his U.S. Army career at RTC in 2001. Now, fifteen years later, Kelly is taking over as Assistant Division Chief of RTC's Aviation Flight Test Directorate's (AFTD) Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Program Office -- a role his longtime mentor, Win Miller, filled for 13 years.
Kelly's first day of work on Sept. 11, 2001, served as a solemn indicator of the importance of the workforce he had joined. His next five years were spent at Fort Rucker under Miller's guidance. He went on to attend test pilot school and afterwards headed to Arizona, where he worked five years as lead government engineer (with a focus on Apache programs) before returning to RTC in 2013.
"I grew up in Fort Rucker and stumbled into the Attack Recon division," Kelly said. "Win was the most senior engineer and I got handed off to him."
When Kelly joined RTC, Miller was a GS-13 with over 25 years of experience and flight schools under his belt. Accomplished in more ways than one, Miller begun flight testing on an F-15 Eagle at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. While at Edwards, developmental and operational test forces were combined to increase efficiencies and carry out the mission. After operations were relocated to Fort Rucker, Miller moved on to the Army side of flight testing.
"I had just gotten back from flight school and we were doing a big flight test program," Miller said. "I needed an engineer to help me [and chose Chris]. He was very smart and never made the same mistake twice."
During the course of the program, as Miller passed along his expertise to Kelly, a natural mentor relationship began to form between the two men. Among the many lessons Miller taught, the one he continuously emphasized was the importance of letting young engineers make mistakes so they could learn from them.
"Win instilled in me don't be afraid to make a mistake," Kelly said. "I was there for three months and in those three months, I learned more than in all my time in school."
During Kelly's time in Arizona, the Base Realignment and Closure of 2005 sent Miller from Fort Rucker to Redstone Arsenal. The Aviation Technical Test Center (ATTC) merged with RTC to produce the RTC of today which spans multiple directorates and test capabilities. With this change came a shift in RTC's organizational focus and a change in its mission's definition.
"The change from Fort Rucker to Redstone was more drastic for me," Kelly said. "In Fort Rucker, we weren't working as closely with the customer--we were more autonomous. Now, there is more collaboration with the customers."
Throughout organizational shifts and reassignments, Miller and Kelly maintained a mentor and mentee relationship that proved beneficial to them both. In January, Kelly was promoted from Aircraft Survivability Equipment test lead to his current position as division chief of UAS.
Reflecting on his years as the UAS division chief, Miller said he had always liked working with the younger engineers because of their drive to succeed.
"Doing a job for so long, you can get a little bored and can get into a rut," Miller said. "Teaching young engineers, letting them make mistakes, you learn it better and begin to really understand your craft."
Now in his 20th year with the Army, Miller will continue on to head RTC's Advanced Technology Office. With his new position as the UAS division chief, Kelly will now play a more interactive and strategic and less technical role in the organization. Although Miller will continue to be a leader within RTC, he has decided to pass on his 'mentor's' torch to Kelly.
"Win has been in this role for 13 years; he has a way of doing things and people know what to expect. People don't know what to expect from me," Kelly said. "I will transition more into a mentoring, planning, and budgeting role. I've gone from the mentee to the mentor."
As Kelly steps into his new position, he plans to continue the 'Win-pire' of his mentor, who is best known for the new capabilities he developed for the Attack UAS as well as for setting apart the Attack/Recon Test Division. While Kelly's new positions brings with it increased responsibilities, Miller will be entering a more independent position with far less personnel management.
"I've got to pick up more responsibility and Win has to let go. He has to do the same thing with me," Kelly said. "Win has taken care of the people that work for him and now he has to cut the cord. He can't do the job for them."
Miller expressed his confidence in leaving the job in Kelly's capable hands, who is fondly referred to as the 'Bulldog'--a nickname he earned because of his tenacity and dedication. After nearly 15 years of guidance under Miller, Kelly feels up to the challenge and is excited to serve in his new position.
"Win is the most senior leadership across divisions within RTC's AFTD and it shows. I hope to continue that trend and answer the need for the organization," Kelly said. "I really enjoy the job and honestly, could not picture myself working anywhere else."
Over the years, Miller and Kelly have emphasized the importance of building mentor and mentee relationships and the benefits both parties stand to gain from them.
While young engineers are being given guided crash courses in testing, the senior leaders are not only passing on their technical abilities, but in addition, they are honing their skills as well. Through the continued interaction of personnel, these mentoring relationships are key to building a more secure and capable future for RTC.
"I know, based on what I've gained from my mentor, that I don't know everything. I've had those humbling experiences now," Kelly said. "You don't really know what you learned until someone asks you. I enjoy trying to pass off information, and I look forward to entering the position."
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