FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- Some people thrive on change. Whether it's a new career, job title or move to a different locale, these individuals see change as an opportunity rather than a challenge.
When Pat Crotty, a supervisory human resources specialist at Fort Drum's Civilian Personnel Advisory Center, took his first federal position, the idea of moving frequently was something he did not anticipate or -- at least at first -- desire.
"I grew up in Erie, Pa., and I loved the area," Crotty said. "My idea had always been to return to the area, find a job and stay there."
After more than 44 years of serving within five government agencies in more than a dozen different roles both stateside and overseas, Crotty will retire at the end of the month. While he is ready to trade in a desk and his signature cardigan sweaters for open spaces and fly fishing attire, Crotty said that he appreciates the amazing opportunities that life has brought his way.
In the summer of 1972, straight out of college, Crotty began working as a personnel management specialist for the Food and Drug Administration in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C.
"I had the advantage, from a historical standpoint, of being in Washington just as Watergate was beginning to bubble up," he said. "Occasionally, I would go into the District of Columbia, which was where one of our bureaus was located, where I was helping to prepare testimony for the commissioner of the FDA."
Crotty attended several court hearings, where the commissioner testified. He said that being able to see the judicial system in action was fascinating.
"I was there for all of the turmoil with Nixon, wondering whether there was going to be an impeachment," he said. "Then I was there for the resignation and all of that. I became really absorbed. … Washington was all about policy and politics, and I have always been about interacting with people in a more personal way. "
When a job as a labor and employee relations specialist with the Army Corps of Engineers in Pittsburgh opened, Crotty welcomed the chance to move closer to home and work in a position where he had a direct impact on Civilians.
"I enjoyed going out and talking to the lock and dam operators, the park rangers -- that was even more enjoyable than being in the office doing labor and employee relations."
It was also Crotty's first time witnessing a "mission," he said.
"In other federal agencies, you've got jobs and goals, but a mission is something completely different," Crotty said. "I think it was important for me not just to know the policy and procedures, but to be out talking with the supervisors, the Employees and the union representatives accomplishing the mission."
Crotty said that from the start of his career with the Army Corps of Engineers, he knew that some Employees moved frequently, but he didn't believe he would be one of them. However, after two years in Pittsburgh, he found himself packing his bags to take a new position in Vicksburg, Miss.
"Life just kind of happens sometimes," he said. "I saw the opportunities for growth as well as a chance to see different parts of the country, and I went for it."
Crotty's first overseas duty assignment came about after hearing a co-worker rave about his own time spent in Germany. He took a position with the Department of the Army and moved to Frankfurt. There, Crotty said he got his first glimpse into the life of Soldiers and their Families -- an experience that forever changed him.
"When I got to Europe, it was 1982, and we were still in the Cold War," he said. "The Berlin Wall was still up, and it was obvious right away that things were very different there. I was seeing two- and three-star generals wearing (battle dress uniforms) for the first times and I realized -- these people are very close to the front lines."
Living in Germany, Crotty felt much more a part of the military community. He and his family shopped at the commissary and post exchange, lived in military housing areas and were treated at military hospitals.
As an assistant civilian personnel officer, Crotty attended garrison staff meetings, where he listened to stories of the stresses placed on Families as their Soldiers deployed to the front lines. He said it made him think about the important role Civilian Employees played in supporting these Families.
"That was my introduction to the real impact on the Army Family, and that really stuck with me. It gave me a sense of what the Army was doing in the world, and it gave me a sense of pride that I was -- in a relatively small way -- supporting that effort. It made me think about how I could provide better support for our garrison Employees, who could -- in turn -- make sure our military Families were taken care of," he said.
Crotty returned to the United States and after a few assignments with the COE and the DA, he was offered a position at Fort Carson, Colo. -- a duty station he had wanted to move to for some time.
"I fell in love with the mountains," he said. "For most of the time I was there, I lived in a little place up in the Ute Pass and I would drive down into the flatlands every day to go to work."
An avid skier, Crotty spent a great deal of time on the slopes of "Ski Cooper."
"In the clubhouse, there was a room with skis and photos of the 10th Mountain Division when they trained there during the second World War," he said. "I had no idea that I was skiing at what had been Camp Hale. That was a connection I couldn't have guessed would ever happen later in my life when I came to Fort Drum."
While he was stationed at Fort Carson, Crotty experienced something he said he never thought was possible -- a terrorist attack on American soil.
"I was at a physical therapy appointment when I first heard about the 9/11 attack," he said. "I drove to work and the traffic was completely backed up. On Sept. 10, there may have been someone at the gate, but they weren't even checking ID cards. Now we had a helicopter hovering over the gate and (military) working dogs all over the place. They were conducting 100-percent vehicle checks."
Crotty said he and other staff members spent the day listening to the radio, not fully believing what was happening.
"We were told that Air Force One was in the air and might be coming to (nearby) Peterson Air Force Base, then possibly taking the president to the (North American Aerospace Defense Command) bunker at Cheyenne Mountain."
In the weeks that followed, Crotty said he was prouder than ever as he watched DA Civilians and military officials work together to prepare the 4th Infantry Division for deployment to Iraq.
"The Soldiers were anxious to get into battle, and the workforce really came together to make that happen as quickly and seamlessly as possible," he said.
In the early 2000s, Crotty had an opportunity to return to Germany, and he jumped at the chance. While stationed there, Crotty experienced some health issues, and he was treated at the military hospital in Landstuhl -- often the first stop for wounded military personnel coming from the battlefield.
"Buses would pull up and crowds of medical workers would come out of the building," he recalled. "They would meet up with the medical technicians from the flights and begin moving these wounded warriors inside to be treated. It was an extremely sobering experience and one I will never forget."
Crotty returned to the United States with a new passion -- helping veterans secure jobs within the federal government. When he came to Fort Drum in 2010 as a labor and employee relations specialist, Crotty was very forthcoming about this passion, and soon became the post's veterans employment coordinator.
"The value of having our veterans -- our warriors -- working within the garrison workforce cannot be emphasized enough," he said. "They come to us with a wealth of knowledge and experience and their level of commitment to supporting the Soldiers and their Families is unmatched, because they have been there."
During his six-year career at Fort Drum, Crotty has taken on new roles and responsibilities, culminating with the acting director for CPAC, where he was responsible for operational over-
sight and human resource services of DA Civilians within the garrison, U.S. Army Medical Department Activity, U.S. Army Dental Activity, Network Enterprise Center, Mission Installation Contracting Command and other tenant organizations.
As his job responsibilities changed, his passion -- supporting warriors, veterans and their Families -- remained in the forefront of his mind.
"As acting director, I had a lot of visibility as to what was happening within a lot of different organizations on the installation," he said. "I gained a much clearer view of things, and I was able to work side-by-side with directors to make sure we were doing everything possible to provide the resources -- the people -- that these organizations needed in order to care for our Soldiers and Families."
Crotty said that he remained very hands-on, despite the increased demands of the position.
"It was extremely important to me to continue working closely with our Civilian Employees," he said. "The key is to know what your customers are going through -- how their missions are changing -- and to help take care of the workforce. You can't do that sitting behind a desk."
This hands-on approach to problem solving has inspired those around him said Denise Wallace, Civilian Personnel Advisory Center director.
"Pat has a passion for educating others, and this is evident by the time and attention he took in developing his Employees," she said. "He won't just give them the answer. He has them research it and develop courses of action based upon their knowledge, experience and research."
Kathleen Newman, a supervisory human resources specialist at CPAC, said that Crotty's mentorship and strong leadership have set a high standard for the agency.
"We have learned a great deal from Mr. Crotty," she said. "His knowledge and wisdom have guided us to be better individuals and professional human resource specialists."
Wallace said that as Crotty prepares to retire on Nov. 30, he will leave behind a lasting impact not just within CPAC, but on the entire installation.
"Pat is one of the most loyal and dedicated government Employees I have met in my nearly 30-year career," she said. "He routinely puts the needs of his Employees and those that we service before his own. Pat always has the mission -- and ultimately the well-being of our warfighters and their Families -- at the forefront of the work we do."
Looking back, Crotty said it was all a matter of taking advantage of every opportunity that came his way.
"For me it has always been about getting involved and doing everything I could to support the Soldiers and their Families," he said. "It gives me a great sense of pride to know that I could -- in some small way -- give back to those who give so much for us."
Crotty said he is eager to begin his next adventure -- moving back to his home state, where he and his wife Cathy look forward to spending time with their two daughters and four grandchildren -- but he said he will always consider himself a part of the Army team.
"We are so deeply engaged in supporting the Soldiers and their Families -- that's not something I'm ever going to forget," he said. "Letting them know how much they are appreciated has always been important to me, and I will continue to do that the rest of my life."
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