Admittedly, the Joint Munitions Command’s Laren Robison doesn’t like to be in the spotlight.
But Robison, who for the past 13 years has been employed as a production mechanic at the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant in McAlester, Oklahoma, currently has one shining on him, as he has been named one of the Army Materiel Command’s Employee of the Quarter for the first quarter, Fiscal Year 2023.
The AMC Employee of the Quarter program recognizes those whose contributions have made a direct positive impact on AMC’s mission goals during each respective quarter. It also is a way to recognize outstanding work performance.
Robison is a humble human being, and he is one of nine Civilian employees and two Military personnel who will have their name added to plaque on a wall in the north hallway at AMC’s headquarters in Huntsville, Alabama.
“I was kind of surprised when my bosses told me about it,” Robison said of the honor.
MCAAP, one of JMC’s subordinate ammunition plants, is a government-owned, government operated facility. MCAAP provides the timely delivery of quality products and services in support of our Nation’s defense and security interests. There are six production, maintenance, and renovation areas at MCAAP, and Robison has played a key part in helping ensure things run smoothly.
In the last few years, Robison made countless contributions to the rebuilding of two production explosive mix facilities, which were heavily damaged by fires in 2020 and 2021. His expert-level knowledge, leadership abilities, and diligence to duty resulted in the installation of $8 million worth of equipment in just under 10 months.
Robison was responsible for operational training for both former and new members of MCAAP’s workforce on newly purchased specialized equipment located in the plant’s mix facilities. He also trains MCAAP’s other production mechanics on the requirements of the shear mixer pre-checks and routine repairs, as well as an approved preventive maintenance plan for the new automated production equipment.
Time and time again, Robison has gone above and beyond, according to Jason Tucker, who is Robison’s supervisor and a mechanical engineering technician at MCAAP.
“Laren has championed an initiative to execute a preventative maintenance plan through the Logistics Modernization Program, which will extend the life expectancy of the equipment,” Tucker said. “He has displayed a selfless devotion to MCAAP’s mission. His diligence to duty is one of the main reasons that the two production lines were restored in such a timely manner. Laren is the go-to guy on most, if not all, of MCAAP’s technical questions regarding production equipment.
“He is highly energetic, displays a positive attitude, and is always willing to tackle high-risk or high-stress challenges. He copes well with high-stress situations, remaining focused on finding a solution and a path forward,” Tucker added. “Laren is gifted with the ability to think outside the box when searching for solutions to complex problems. He is extremely effective at efficiently identifying the most comprehensive solution to the most difficult of challenges. Laren is an outstanding leader, a gifted communicator, and his attention to detail is legendary. He is well-respected by his peers, as well as by MCAAP staff.”
Robison is just doing what he’s done throughout his life, and he enjoys the chance to work on various types of equipment and projects.
“The way I was raised was to show up and do what you’re supposed to do and go home at the end of the day,” Robison said. “With the job I have, you get to work on a lot of different things, and the things we work on down here you know it’s for a purpose. It’s helping our country and helping our Warfighters.”
Robison has always had a passion for fixing things that don’t work properly.
“I grew up farming and ranching; and, we worked on our own stuff all the time,” he said.
When Robison isn’t on the timeclock, he raises show pigs, hunts, fishes, and spends time with his grandkids.
Social Sharing