ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill.--Fourteen Joint Munitions Command employees recently attended the National Organization of Blacks in Government Training Institute in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
The BIG organization states its mission is to enable all present and future black employees in local, state, and federal governments to have the ability to maximize their career opportunities and provide a mechanism for inclusion, growth, and advocacy.
This year's BIG conference, titled "Commit to Excellence: Think, Believe, and Achieve BIG!", offered four, two-hour training sessions a day, with professional and personal topics ranging from diversity and inclusion in the workplace, networking, and leadership, to personal ethics, financial independence, and retirement.
"Attending the BIG conference afforded me an opportunity to interact and network with black professionals from various federal, local and state government workplaces," said Alisha Tucker, an inventory management specialist at JMC. "I was introduced to people in the highest levels of office who motivated me to take a hard look at my own career, and inspired me to research opportunities that could expand my resume, broaden my experiences, and allow me to become a more well-rounded employee."
"The most beneficial sessions for me were 'Effective Communication and Leadership', presented by a current government employee, and 'Playing the Career Game', presented by two retired Senior Executive Service employees," said Aimee Bland, a product quality manager at JMC. "The strongest message I took from the 'Career Game' session was effective leaders let people grow and then let them go, meaning good managers help subordinates grow in their careers, but also allow them to branch off into other areas."
"This was a great opportunity and experience for me," said Mellissa Hearn, an inventory management specialist at JMC. "In a training session called 'Body Language and Political Savviness', I learned so much that I can use both inside and outside of work."
As part of the conference, JMC employees represented the command at a booth where they furnished information about JMC's mission. They also networked with other conference attendees and talked about the types of internships and careers available at JMC, provided information about living in the Quad Cities, where JMC is headquartered, and shared their experiences about working for the federal government.
"As an added bonus, this conference provided us with the cost-saving opportunity to attend a wide variety of trainings in one week, versus having to travel to many trainings throughout a year," said Bland.
Upon their return to work, the JMC attendees resoundingly promoted the conference.
"I wholeheartedly recommend the Blacks in Government organization and its conference, where all people are welcome to join and attend," said Tucker.
"I would definitely love to attend future events given by the Blacks in Government Training Institute," added Hearn.
Joint Munitions Command produces small-, medium- and large-caliber ammunition items for the Department of Defense. The primary mission of JMC is to manage the production, storage, issue, and demilitarization of conventional ammunition for all U.S. Military Services. JMC is the sustainment and logistics integrator for life-cycle management of ammunition and provides a global presence of technical support to U.S. combat units wherever they are stationed or deployed.
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