ABEREEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. — For Vallen Rice, working at the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command is more than just a career — it is a family legacy. As a supervisory logistics management specialist and branch chief within the CECOM Integrated Logistics Support Center’s Security Assistance Management Directorate, Rice plays a vital role in delivering critical communications and electronics capabilities to international partners.
Her journey with CECOM is a "full circle" story that spans generations, beginning with her parents and continuing today through her own leadership in foreign military sales.
A legacy of support
Originally from Monmouth County, New Jersey, Rice’s connection to CECOM began at home. Both of her parents were logistics management specialists, and her father served as a chemical officer in the Army and an Army Civilian. When the Base Realignment and Closure process relocated CECOM to APG, her family moved with it.
"I knew about CECOM and APG from my parents, and that is what got me interested in working here," Rice said. "Just seeing the work they did, they really enjoyed it, and it was meaningful to them."
After graduating from Bel Air High School, Rice pursued her Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from York College of Pennsylvania, followed by a Master of Science in Negotiations and Conflict Management from the University of Baltimore.
In the summer of 2018, she joined CECOM through the Pathways Program, officially embarking on her own civilian career. Today, her husband also works at APG for the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, extending that APG connection even further.
Navigating global security and foreign military sales
In December 2024, Rice took on her current role as the supervisory logistics management specialist and branch chief for the Chief, Maneuvers, Non-Standard, & COCOM (CENTCOM/INDOPACOM/SOUTHCOM) C2/CC2 (MNC) Branch.
Following a reorganization earlier this year, her branch now falls under the Portfolio Acquisition Executive structure, shaping how her team operates.
Her branch is responsible for equipping foreign partners with essential communications under foreign military sales. Rather than being strictly focused on geographical combatant commands, or COCOMs, as in the past, her team now develops non-standard requirements and equips partner nations with enablers for key combat systems, such as tanks, Bradley fighting vehicles, and Strykers.
A prime example of her branch's impact is the Jordan Border Security Program.
"We basically help the Jordanians procure equipment to set up surveillance along their border shared with Israel, including raid towers and communications-electronics equipment," Rice explained.
On any given day, Rice leads a team of 32 personnel, including matrixed DEVCOM engineers and contractors. Her team is responsible for drafting letters of offer and acceptance, or as she describes them, an “Amazon shopping list from the country." Her team is also in charge of collaborating with engineers to verify requirements, developing FMS cases, managing contracting and financial packages, and coordinating international shipments.
"Every time you turn on the news, there is something happening in CENTCOM, INDOPACOM, SOUTHCOM, or somewhere in the world," Rice said. "We have to be able to respond and be ready to equip our partner nations."
Career highlights: from action officer to team leader
Before stepping into her supervisory role, Rice was on the front lines of some of CECOM’s most critical operational missions.
During the conflict in Ukraine, Rice served as the presidential drawdown action officer and operations point of contact for CECOM ILSC SAMD. In this high-stakes role, she provided daily and weekly updates to the CECOM commanding general, the commanding general's deputy, and the CECOM ILSC dDirector. Her outstanding performance earned her a coin from Ms. Marion Whicker, then executive deputy to the commanding general of the U.S. Army Materiel Command.
“It is just good to feel part of something bigger than yourself," Rice reflected. "Being an action officer was one of the highlights of my career, but now I can lead others to be the best action officers and get out there and really make a difference."
Her exceptional contributions have been recognized throughout her career. For example, Rice was nominated as the CECOM Employee of the Quarter (Mid-Level) in FY21 for managing 10 active FMS cases totaling over $120 million. She also received a Civilian Service Achievement Medal in 2021 for expediting an urgent equipment delivery to France from 120 days down to 30, and another in July 2024 for developing a standard operating procedure that streamlined transportation plan requirements for the annual simple key loader buy.
Leadership and the art of de-escalation
Rice’s leadership style has evolved from a collaborative, servant-leadership approach to a mature, highly tailored method that easily adapts to organizational shifts. She credits the Practical Introduction to Supervising Employees, or PRISE, Cohort VI program with providing her the formal supervisory training needed to expand her managerial "toolkit.”
"You can be a leader at any level; you don’t necessarily need to have 'supervisor' in your title to lead other people," Rice said. "People are watching you whether you take note of that or not, so having that early exposure to leadership skills is helpful for anyone."
In addition to her formal training, Rice brings a unique skillset to her supervisory role. Since 2017, she has volunteered 10 to 12 hours a month as a mediator for the Harford County Community Mediation Program, assisting county residents with issues like custody arrangements or neighborhood disputes. Rice draws on her background in conflict resolution daily to keep her team focused and collaborative.
"I use my master's degree on a daily and hourly basis," she said. "Some people go from zero to one hundred, and you have to bring them back down and get everybody on the same page. Mediation empowers people to make their own choices."
Looking ahead and giving advice for the future
As technology evolves, Rice sees artificial intelligence playing a significant role in shaping the future of military logistics. "AI is something I have to get smart on ... technology has really grown," she said. "AI will help us make decisions and provide us with tools to make our business better."
For those new to the field of logistics, Rice offers simple yet powerful advice: stay curious, embrace ambiguity, and find a mentor.
"Just be open and curious and take note of everything going on around you. Find that battle buddy — someone who has been there a long time who can show you the ropes," Rice advised. "And get a mentor. They don't have to be in the same field. They can help you with your resume, communication skills, or public speaking. Don't be shy; plenty of people love mentoring."
Outside of her challenging career, Rice enjoys slow weekends at home, traveling, and spending time outdoors with her husband during the summer.
When Monday comes, her motivation remains clear: supporting her team and the warfighter.
“Being a leader is being present," Rice said. "Supporting that good teaming environment is what motivates me to come in every day."
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