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ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. — Cole Chmielewski is an information management specialist with the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command Integrated Logistics Support Center Operations & Communications Branch. Chmielewski said he feels motivated when he sees the finished product of his work.
Chmielewski started working for ILSC last July as a Career Development Employee. He currently works for the Mission Resources Division and works closely with ILSC Executive Director Ms. Nicole Osaghae and Military Deputy Col. Cory Armstead on public affairs matters.
Chmielewski’s duties have ranged from protocol support to town hall preparation, speech writing, documenting command history for the ILSC, and assisting with the ILSC newsletter. The communications team, led by Branch Chief Samantha Reynolds, often meets with ILSC leadership.
“What is great about my job is my day-to-day duties vary drastically,” he said.
Chmielewski’s first project was to update the timeline wall at ILSC Headquarters. He was tasked with researching and identifying a major event each year from 2020 to 2024 and crafting a narrative aligning with their mission.
Chmielewski said ILSC updated the timeline this spring. He said he appreciates seeing the tangible impact of his work and hopes that it will inspire future generations.
“They have entries on that wall dating back to the 80s, so you have to paint that picture for the future 21-year-olds, the people who will be working here in 2040, 2050; it is nice to paint that picture, that narrative,” Chmielewski described.
Recently, Chmielewski has been working on strategic messaging for how ILSC uses artificial intelligence-assisted maintenance. He co-wrote the article “CECOM ILSC transforms in contact to support the Army,” published on the CECOM website this month.
Chmielewski values the working relationships he has established with his Mission Resources Division teammates and the CECOM workforce.
“I realized what I really valued would be working with people I get along with well, which is absolutely the case here. I love my team, and I love having the opportunity to come and interact with my team,” he said.
Journey to APG
Chmielewski holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and a minor in sociology from the University of Florida. His work experience includes working for the regional grocery store chain Publix Super Markets and a law firm.
A native of Florida, Chmielewski said he decided to move to Maryland after he accepted a job offer from CECOM. His parents also moved up north, and his mother works at APG as a contractor for the ILSC Supply Chain Management Directorate, performing human resources-related tasks.
Chmielewski said he has enjoyed adjusting to life in the Mid-Atlantic region and travels frequently to New York City, New Jersey, and Virginia. This winter, Chmielewski saw snow for the first time in Maryland. Additionally, during a trip to NYC to visit childhood friends in January, it started snowing, which he described as “making the experience more special” because he had a chance to see the city without its usual hustle and bustle.
“We were walking around Manhattan, and then we took the train to Brooklyn, but it was just blizzarding outside,” he said. “There were inches of snow that went above your shoes. It was fun just walking around, seeing empty streets and seeing the lights and everything.”
Chmielewski thanked his team lead Danielle Santiago, and colleagues Ursula Hauser and Kevin Lagowski for helping him when he started at CECOM.
“They were huge help, not only to me professionally, but with adjusting to life here as a, at the time, 20-year-old,” he said.
Work-life balance
Chmielewski believes in having a work-life balance. He enjoys watching sports, golfing, duck hunting, making frequent calls to his Florida friends, and playing video games.
Chmielewski’s motto is “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.” He explained that it is important to remain optimistic and kind in the workplace, even during stressful situations.
“I don’t disrespect people because I wouldn’t want that to happen to me,” he said. “I am polite and kind to people because I don’t want to be treated in the opposite way.”
Chmielewski will transfer to Program Executive Office – Intelligence, Electronic Warfare & Sensors later this summer, as part of the CDE program.
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