ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. - Cindy McFry is a self-proclaimed tomboy. She said she would rather work outdoors than be anywhere near a desk and computer.
But the DLA Distribution Anniston employee must be indoors, at least part of the time, to perform her duties as blocker/bracer leader over a dock crew of 10 men.
"I like being outside, especially in the summertime. Working as a blocker/bracer gives me a closer look at tanks. I've become a lot more familiar with identifying them," said McFry.
McFry's crew is responsible for loading and unloading combat vehicles on and off commercial trucks and rail lines. They work under the depot's 70-ton crane, known affectionately as Clyde the Crane.
Blockers/bracers get to see both the beginning and the end of the depot maintenance process, said McFry. Tanks and Strykers come in as battle damaged or in need of repair and then the same vehicles are shipped off depot in like-new condition.
"It makes you feel good to see the vehicles go to the troops," she said. "I get chill bumps when I hear the national anthem and when I see troops deploying or returning from overseas."
McFry's supervisor, James Rudolph, said she has been a "super asset" to DLA Distribution Anniston. "Cindy believes in a no-nonsense style of getting the job done. It takes someone with a strong mental capacity and physical strength to do this kind of job. As the only female in her crew, she knew she had a challenge in front of her, but her great personality went a long way in overcoming any challenges throughout her career," said Rudolph.
As for leading a male-only crew, "I love it," she said. "We're all here to do our jobs the best we know how. They do their job and do it well."
McFry said if she has to work for a living, she can't see herself doing anything other than working on the blocking/bracing crew. But, she added, she plans to retire this summer after 34 years of federal employment and spend more time with her grandchildren.
She started working at Anniston Army Depot in 1977 as a supply clerk and the only female in her shop. Since then, she has worked here as a packer, heavy mobile equipment repairer and a leader in packaging. When ANAD transferred certain supply and inventory functions to the Department of Defense's DLA in 1992, McFry's position moved too.
"I've seen the workload go up and down over the years. And I've learned a lot from everybody here on how to treat people right," she said.
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