Civilian Spotlight: Getting to know Erik Shaw

By Rachel Griffith (USASMDC/ARSTRAT)March 23, 2011

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Name: Erik Shaw, unit administrator, 3rd Space Company, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Shaw is also a staff sergeant in the Army Reserves attached to the 3rd Space Company)

Age: 31

Hometown: Pittsburgh, Penn.

Years of federal service: 10 years (seven months as a civilian with the command)

Education: Associate degree in computer network administration

Marital status: Married

Children: One girl

Activities/hobbies: Aviation studies, military history, veteran advocacy

Favorite movie: N/A

Favorite TV show: Anything on the History channel

Favorite band: U2 and Metallica

Favorite thing about working for the Army: Helping our Soldiers

What made you want to work for the Army: I wanted to continue to help and advise Army Reserve Soldiers on how to navigate a complex system and create an environment of success at the 3rd Space Company.

Because of Shaw's time as a Soldier, he wanted to answer some Army specific questions:

Rank: Staff sergeant

Favorite thing about the Army: Every day is a new day and the challenges are complex, but the feeling of accomplishment of the mission is like nothing else in the civilian world.

What I've learned being a Soldier: That nothing is out of the question, and anything can and will happen.

What inspires you to be a Soldier: Veterans of the past who have made the ultimate sacrifice. The brotherhood with World War II, Korea and Vietnam vets is a special thing that I am proud to be a part of as a combat veteran myself. I just want to make those guys and my family proud.