REDSTONE ARSENAL, Alabama - Children of U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command team members got an opportunity to see a different side of their parents they may not get to witness at home.
USASMDC/ARSTRAT employees at its Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, and Colorado Springs, Colorado, headquarters participated in the command's "Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day" April 25.
"The key significance of today is that it gives an opportunity for children to see where their parents work," said Col. Joseph McCallion Jr., SMDC chief of staff. "We all know that the majority of professionals at SMDC spend a lot of their time here and the children sometimes don't have a concept of where they work. So it is great to take a day and have an opportunity for them come here and see the office and things they are working on. This gives them a sense of what mom or dad does in order to help defend the nation and contribute to the Army and our mission."
Those in attendance watched a video about SMDC and what its workforce does around the world, learned summer safety tips, viewed demonstrations set up by the SMDC Simulation Center and Concepts Analysis Laboratory, or CAL, as well as participating in team building activities at an obstacle course.
"It is really cool to see what he does every day," said William Starr, son of Lt. Col. Will Starr, SMDC Commanders Action Group director. "I have been here before and it is great to learn how he serves the nation."
After visiting the demonstrations, parents were able to show the children to their personal work areas and offices and further explained what they do on a daily basis.
"I had a blast, today has been very interesting," said Ceana Compton, daughter of Jeff Compton, a general engineer in the SMDC Air and Missile Defense Directorate's Test Execution Support Division. "I came here when I was little and wanted to come back. I have grown up knowing what he does and it is great to be able to see what he does in person.
"I think it is important for children to be able to see what their parents do and know the sacrifice they make," she added. "It has helped me be a little more considerate and thankful."
In Colorado one leader said it was important to be able to bringing his daughter to work so she could see all the possibilities as a future leader, whether it is in the Army or doing something else.
His daughter then talked about how it was to come and see where her dad works.
"It was awesome," said Brianna Riley, daughter of Lt. Col. William Riley, SMDC deputy G33. "I loved going into the Army tank and truck, eating cake and watching the K-9 demonstration. It was a really good day because of these three things. It made my day the best day ever."
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