New hires attend boot camp

By Mr. Scott Wakefield (TACOM)November 1, 2019

Whicker addresses Intern Boot Camp
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MF&T field trip for boot camp
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Checking out CROWS during boot camp
3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Two new interns for the Integrated Logistics Support Center had the opportunity to check out equipment in the Materiel Fielding and Training section on Detroit Arsenal Oct. 30. Here they are checking out the Common Remotely Operated Weapon System, C... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Soldier briefs interns at boot camp
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Weapons brief during boot camp
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The U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command's Integrated Logistics Support Center held an Intern Boot Camp to onboard new hires and interns Oct. 30.

The day-long boot camp allowed participants an opportunity to hear from their leadership and subject matter experts to learn more about who can assist them with getting settled into their new roles.

The ILSC Director, Marion Whicker, gave an in-depth overview of the organization, because she wanted to make sure that each new hire in the briefing understood what the organization did, and where they fit into the big picture.

Ashlee Gorshe was one of the participants of the boot camp. "I learned a lot more about what the organization actually does," she said, "[I learned] where we fit in with our part of the organization as individuals, which I enjoyed a lot."

Participants also had the opportunity to hear from TACOM's Command Sergeant Major, Ian Griffin.

He emphasized that as new workers for TACOM, they needed to be proficient at identifying problems, but to "remember the end state and be able to solve the problem instead of using historical reasoning as to why the problem can't be solved," he said.

"Don't forget why we're here," Griffin said, "We're here because of that young 18-year old private."

Gorshe comes from an Army family and has been with the Pathways Recent Graduate Program for about three months at the ILSC. "I wanted to be able to do something that impacted soldiers in a positive way," she said.

The ILSC Workforce Development Analyst, Enid Rivera, runs the boot camp. She says that they used to conduct the boot camp for a full week. However, due to feedback from previous groups and decreasing availability of briefers, they decided to shorten it to a day and only cover basic information the new hires needed to know to prevent information overload.

This is only the second time the boot camp has been limited to a day, and they are still testing the format.

"Due to the feedback we've received, we wanted to make sure they are getting the information they need," Rivera said, "We can always modify and more information to it, if needed."

Rivera also noted that the ILSC leadership is very passionate about the boot camp program, and it's been lauded by Army Materiel Command as "best practice."

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TACOM's Integrated Logistics Support Center executes repair parts planning and supply chain management for more than 3,500 weapon systems. These systems form the core of America's ground combat capability. When the force needs critical components delivered, whether at home or abroad, it depends on TACOM.

The Detroit Arsenal, home to TACOM headquarters, is the only active-duty U.S. Army installation in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. Detroit Arsenal and its Michigan-based workforce of more than 6000 people contribute billions of dollars in economic impact to the region's economy each year.

TACOM's workforce includes highly skilled and uniquely qualified professionals, from engineers and industrial artisans to senior logisticians and business analysts. The largely civilian workforce is critical to supporting Army readiness around the world.