Inaugural APG Intern Day unites, inspires next generation of Army innovators

By DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory Public Affairs OfficeJuly 24, 2026

Inaugural APG Intern Day unites, inspires next generation of Army innovators
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Interns and young professional civilians listen in on the discussions at the first Aberdeen Proving Ground Intern Day held July 15 that fostered collaboration, networking and intellectual curiosity. (U.S. Army Photo by Kevin Lagowski) (Photo Credit: Courtesy) VIEW ORIGINAL
Inaugural APG Intern Day unites, inspires next generation of Army innovators
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Interns pose for a photo at one of the Aberdeen Proving Ground Intern Day sessions which included a kinetic energy demo, a resume and interview workshop, an introduction to AI in the workplace and more. (U.S. Army Photo by Kevin Lagowski) (Photo Credit: Courtesy) VIEW ORIGINAL
Inaugural APG Intern Day unites, inspires next generation of Army innovators
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Interns and young professional civilians check out some of the technology represented at Aberdeen Proving Ground Intern Day where they engaged with new technologies and complex problem-solving scenarios designed to prepare them for the challenges of national security. (U.S. Army Photo by Kevin Lagowski) (Photo Credit: Courtesy) VIEW ORIGINAL

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. -- The first Aberdeen Proving Ground Intern Day was held July 15 with high energy and a clear charge for the next generation of civilian talent: adapt, grow and thrive to keep the Army at the cutting edge.

Led by the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, known as DEVCOM, Army Research Laboratory, the inaugural event brought together interns and young professional civilians from 14 of the installation's tenant organizations to foster collaboration, networking and intellectual curiosity.

The day’s events centered on the theme “Adapting. Growing. Thriving.” Participants engaged with new technologies and complex problem-solving scenarios designed to prepare them for the challenges of national security.

Specific sessions included a kinetic energy demo, a resume and interview workshop, an introduction to data literacy, an acquisition overview, an introduction to AI in the workplace, a session on data visualization and communication, lunch and community building and more.

Thereasa Alvarez, human resource specialist with DEVCOM ARL and APG Intern Day program manager, noted that the large, interconnected community at APG was on full display.

“An event of this scale does not happen without a great team behind it,” Alvarez said. “From our support volunteers managing logistics to the technical speakers mentoring our emerging talent, this cross-installation collaboration is what makes Team APG a powerhouse of innovation.”

The event challenged participants to push past their comfort zones and expand their professional boundaries. Leadership emphasized that this intellectual curiosity is the engine for their future career growth.

“Our ultimate goal was to show these young professionals that they aren't just the workforce of tomorrow—they are the innovators of today,” Alvarez said. “By giving them the tools to collaborate early in their careers, we ensure they leave this event empowered to immediately contribute to the safety and readiness of our nation.”

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DEVCOM ARL is the Army’s sole fundamental research laboratory serving as the nexus of science between the military, academia and industry. Operating under U.S. Army Futures and Concepts Command and the U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command, ARL executes globally recognized research to accelerate delivery of war-winning, disruptive technologies for tomorrow’s Army.

For information, visit the Army Research Laboratory website.