Fifteen Aviation and Missile Command civilian employees graduated Tuesday from the 2026 Upward Leader Investment for Tomorrow program, completing six months of leadership development focused on Army values, professional growth and workplace application.
Known as UpLIFT, the program supports the AMCOM and Army Materiel Command missions by developing civilian leaders who are resilient, adaptable and prepared to contribute across the organization.
Since the program began in April, participants attended monthly classes covering subjects including the seven Army values, servant leadership, critical thinking and ethical leadership.
AMCOM Executive Director Don Nitti recognized the graduates’ work and the relationships they developed during the course.
“These 15 individuals have built unique, strong bonds with people outside of their organizations, that normally would never get the chance to build that relationship with,” Nitti said. “Today, they’re going to remind you how amazing and talented our workforce is.”
The program also gives participants opportunities to strengthen communication and presentation skills. During the graduation event, participants delivered presentations that connected Army values to personal experiences and professional responsibilities.
Nitti said the presentations demonstrated the effort participants invested throughout the program.
“I could tell that a lot of time was put in not only to the presentation, but the rehearsal of delivering it, because everybody did an outstanding job,” he said.
UpLIFT is intended to help civilian employees, particularly those new to the Army, understand how leadership principles and Army values shape daily work, performance and long-term professional development.
“As a new employee, especially if you have never been in the Army, you need to understand your Army values, how they affect your work and your performance,” Nitti said.
The program remains part of AMCOM’s broader effort to build a civilian workforce capable of supporting Soldier readiness and strengthening collaboration across Redstone Arsenal.
2026 UpLIFT graduates:
Joshua Adams, AMCOM G-2
Shantele Arrington, AMCOM Logistics Center
Weston Caldwell, Army Materiel Command G-3
Brianna Calhoun, AMCOM Logistics Center
Blake Douglas, AMCOM Logistics Center
Rozeka Gates, AMCOM Logistics Center
Ashtyn Gibson, AMCOM G-8
Ke’Unna Gillespie, U.S. Army Test, Measurement and Diagnostic Equipment Activity
Caitlin Gullatt, AMCOM Logistics Center
Alexandria Joseph, AMCOM G-8
Jared Lambert, AMCOM G-8
Candice Martin, AMCOM Logistics Center
May Anoai Pitts, AMCOM Logistics Center
Abigail Rodriguez Vargas, AMCOM Logistics Center
Jazmine Wright, AMCOM Logistics Center
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