Civilian Spotlight: Getting to know Melvin Kelley

By Ms. Carrie E David (SMDC/ARSTRAT)December 2, 2009

Kelley
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Kelley horseshoes
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Melvin Kelley focuses before throwing a horseshoe during the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command's organization day in September. Kelley serves as the Equal Employment Opportunity officer for the command. Horsesh... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Name: Melvin Kelley, Equal Employment Opportunity Officer, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala.

Age: You can guess, but I'm not saying

Hometown: Paint Rock, Ala.

Years of federal service: 36 years of federal civilian service; 31 years in the military (much of the time is concurrent)

Education: Bachelor of Science in biology and physical science, Tennessee State University; Master of Science in urban planning from Alabama A&M University; additional graduate-level coursework in physics, University of Michigan, and biology, North Carolina A&T University

Marital status: Never been married

Children: None

Activities/hobbies: Baseball, volleyball, basketball, horseshoes

Favorite movie: "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" and old westerns

Favorite TV show: CNN news coverage/shows

Favorite band: Temptations and the music from the Grand Ol' Opry

Favorite thing about working for the Army: Working for the Army disciplines you to become organized i.e., think and plan before acting. To accomplish a mission, you're going to have to plan and get organized, you also have to learn to analyze and observe. To function in the Army's EEO arena, one has to observe all human actions/reactions, analyze situations and use deductive reasoning. If these are omitted, the train usually leaves you at the station.

What made you want to work for the Army: Back in the 1970s when I started, working for the government gave a person more public respect. It opened doors and other avenues for public and civic service opportunities that could really make a difference. For many who didn't work for the government, those opportunities just weren't there.