MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU AIR BASE, Romania -- From the garrison Provost Marshal who leads a team of military police from the Montana National Guard to a recreation specialist providing a “taste of home” for thousands of deployed service members, the women of Army Support Activity – Black Sea are stars in the Army's post in Romania and Bulgaria.
We interviewed just a few them asking them what they do and what drives them toward mission and personal success.
Stephanie Brown, Recreation Specialist, FMWR
1. What do you do in support of the Army Support Activity mission and how long have you worked here?
I work for Morale, Welfare and Recreation. We provide recreation, leisure activities and programs for the community. I have worked at MKAB for just over two years and have 35 years of federal service.
2. What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of the job is being able to interact directly with our service members and providing them with a taste of home. I also like being able to provide service members opportunities to visit areas of our host nation of Romania.
3. What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced in your career, and how did you overcome them?
The biggest challenge I have faced, and unfortunately still face, in my career was not having my experience, knowledge and education valued by others. I overcame them and still try to overcome them by being professional, sharing my experience and knowledge in a tactful manner. It doesn't always work but I keep trying.
4. Who has influenced you in your career, and how did that shape you?
The people who have influenced me in my career are other women, in particular women who were supervisors or in leadership positions. I learned the good, the bad and the ugly of being a supervisor/leader from those women.
5. What advice would you give a women looking to join the military or an organization like the Army Support Activity Black Sea?
I would advise a woman wanting to work with or join the military to educate yourself, formally and informally listen to the experiences of others, it can teach what to do and what not to do. You should always try to set a positive example; don't tell people do anything you wouldn't do or haven't done and always be willing to learn.
Neeli Southwick, Anti-Terrorism Officer, 3/5/7
1. What do you do in support of the Army Support Activity mission and how long have you worked here?
I am the Antiterrorism and Force Protection Program manager for ASA-BS. I have worked here for 18 months.
2. What is your favorite part of your job?
I enjoy collaborating with multiple offices, agencies and NATO allies.
3. What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced in your career, and how did you overcome them?
Many of the issues I deal with are complex, involving many actors with varying capabilities, and impact the preparedness and safety of our community members. Communication and relationship building are extremely important to ensuring plans and processes get established and executed.
4. Who has influenced you in your career, and how did that shape you?
I owe my knowledge and much of my success to my first office I worked for at Fort Campbell. Without their support, I wouldn't have the foundational knowledge I've needed to progress in my career.
5. What advice would you give a women looking to join the military or an organization like the ASA Black Sea?
Always look for opportunities to expand your network and your breadth of experience.
Andreea Oaie, Environmental Specialist, DPW
1. What do you do in support of the Army Support Activity mission, and how long have you worked here?
I’ve worked as an environmental engineer for ASA-BS for almost seven months, but I’ve been working at Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base for almost eight years.
2. What is your favorite part of your job?
I enjoy working in a multicultural environment as I get the chance to meet new people and learn about their culture. At the same time, I like facing new challenges, because, in my opinion, this way you can evolve and become a better version of yourself.
3. What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced in your career, and how did you overcome them?
When I applied for this job, I was afraid of working in a new environment because, even if I said that I have been working at MKAB for eight years, I would still have new colleagues and other responsibilities. But getting out of my comfort zone turned out to be one of my best decisions.
4. Who has influenced you in your career, and how did that shape you?
There are a few women that have influenced me in my career, some positively, some negatively. I learned how to be stronger, how to make my voice heard. I also learned to listen and to be more patient.
5. What advice would you give a women looking to join the military or an organization like the ASA Black Sea?
Be kind to others, you aren’t always aware of what they are going through. Believe in yourself, you can do anything. Don’t let others underestimate you just because you’re a woman.
Capt. Silver Beaty, Provost Marshal, DES
1. What do you do in support of the Army Support Activity mission and how long have you worked here?
I am the MKAB and NSTA Provost Marshal as well as the commander of the 143rd Military Police Detachment out of Lewistown, Montana. I oversee all of the law enforcement activities at both locations. I arrived in November 2021.
2. What is your favorite part of your job?
The best part of this position is working with my team of incredible Soldiers and NCOs, while simultaneously working with all of our NATO partners. It's been an amazing experience that challenges me every day, especially being a woman in this position. Each day brings about new changes that keep me on my toes, and the things I've learned over here in this position will stay with me throughout my entire career.
3. What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced in your career, and how did you overcome them?
Being a woman in the field of law enforcement on top of being an Army officer has always brought about challenges, but the most challenging thing I've faced is balancing my military career with my family life. I have a wonderful husband and three young children back home, so being away from them right now has easily been the most difficult thing I've faced in my 13 years in uniform. We are very intentional about communicating at least once per day, and my husband's support has helped me stay focused on the mission here.
4. Who has influenced you in your career, and how did that shape you?
I’ve had several influences in my career, but one of the most important to me is Maj. Lindsey Gerheim, my friend and mentor. She has taught me humility, grace and the power of assertiveness as a woman in uniform. She introduced me to the concept of servant leadership years ago, and that has shaped who I am as a leader in the organization. Her ability to teach and coach me from my days as a second sieutenant to now is priceless. She has been one of my biggest cheerleaders, and remains the type of leader and woman that I look up to for guidance.
5. What advice would you give a women looking to join the military or an organization like the ASA Black Sea?
My biggest piece of advice is to never make yourself smaller in order to make others feel bigger. Be assertive. Be strong. We belong in this organization, and we have so much to offer. Women are an integral part of the Army Support Activity - Black Sea, as well as the Army as a whole. The more presence we have, the more respected we become, but we have to earn that respect by being the best we can be.
Nancy Smith, Human Resources Specialist, DHR
1. What do you do in support of the Army Support Activity mission and how long have you worked here?
I am in charge of the DEERs/ID Card section of DHR. I have been here since the middle of October 2021
2. What is your favorite part of your job?
The favorite part of the job is getting to interact with all the different nationalities of Soldiers, civilians, local nationals and contractors
3. What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced in your career, and how did you overcome them?
The biggest challenge I had when I first started out in 2009 was dealing with different people who did not have the same mindset as I had. I had just gotten out of the military and was still used to interacting with Soldiers and not the different personalities of the civilian workforce. I happened to be taking college classes during this time, which helped me to understand different personalities, and how to work with then. It changed my perspective and attitude.
4. Who has influenced you in your career, and how did that shape you?
The person who has influenced me the most was Mr. Michael Webb the Director of Human Resources at Fort Carson. He exemplified customer service but also made sure every employee knew he was available to discuss any issue or concern they have. One of the things he does is make time each week to personally walk through each of the DHR sections and talk to each employee. This is something I hope to utilize when I become a supervisor to more than one employee.
5. What advice would you give a women looking to join the military or an organization like the ASA Black Sea?
This is the same thing I told my daughter when she contemplated joining the military. The point of basic training is to break you down so they can build you back up into a Soldier who has the skills and understanding to follow orders. The military is not here to baby you or worry about hurting your feelings, sometime you have to suck it up and drive on. Sometimes the mission is more important than the individual.
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