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Career officer brings perspective to MTMC's moving program

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ALEXANDRIA, Va. (USTCNS) --- Col. Patty Hunt has to be a sponge when it comes to absorbing information.

A flood of information is all part of the daily routine for Hunt in her job as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Passenger and Personal Property at the Military Traffic Management Command. She has a steep learning curve. As a relative newcomer to the household goods business, she has to learn and apply concepts quickly.

But mostly, says Hunt, the success she has had comes from plain old common sense.

A U.S. Air Force officer, Hunt brings 22 years of military transportation experience to her job. She joined MTMC in July 2001 after graduating from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.

Hunt has a big job. The organization she manages is responsible for an average of 500,000 personal property moves, 76,000 privately owned vehicle moves and 126,000 passenger moves annually.

When she tackles the daily challenges, she tries to do the right thing for both Department of Defense and industry. In the process, she stays open to new ideas and ways of doing business.

"I listen to both sides of a story, then go with my gut," said Hunt.

Hunt's earlier assignments included positions in passenger and freight terminals worldwide. In 1992-1995, she served as the transportation squadron commander at Holloman Air Force Base, Alamogordo, N.M., from 1992-1995. There she headed up a 170-person squadron that included a traffic management office responsible for inbound and outbound household goods shipments. The office handled everything from counseling to quality inspections.

"I made it a point to accompany my inspectors to several homes to get a real feel for the quality of service our military members were receiving," she said.

This background assisted her when she took over the program at MTMC.

"I've immersed myself in learning the business from the professionals on my staff and through the great relationship we have with our industry counterparts," said Hunt.

Being a woman in the traditionally male-dominated transportation career field has been a special challenge for Hunt.

"When I first came in the Air Force, transportation was traditionally thought of as a male dominated career. But my dad taught me to 'bloom when you're planted' and good things will come your way," said Hunt. "He was right. I've been very fortunate to be in a Service where opportunities for women in transportation were the same as for men."

Leadership skills and credibility were always more important than gender, she says.

Part of her credibility comes from the unique perspective she brings to her role as MTMC's deputy chief of staff for Passenger and Personal Property.

"I moved five times while living with my parents," said Hunt, "and in the last 22 years, I relocated eight times. I've also been around people who share that same moving experience. So, I've heard the horror stories and I've heard the success stories.

"Fortunately, my 13 moving experiences were positive ones. Each packer, loader, and driver was courteous and respectful and I had little damage to my property."

Hunt has experienced good moves and brings that perspective to the table in her current position. In the time she is here, she wants to make a positive impact on service member moves.

"Moving is such an important quality of life issue," said Hunt, "that we must ensure service members and their families get the best possible service. It's stressful, emotional and often contributes to the decision to stay in or get out of the military.

"Taxpayers make a substantial investment in the nation's men and women in uniform. We must do everything we can to ensure they stay on board."

Hunt believes a quality move is not a gender issue, but rather a matter of doing the right thing.

"It all boils down to customer service," said Hunt. "From the time the member walks in the door for his or her household goods counseling to actually experiencing the move, there is no reason why the entire process can't be a positive experience."

Early 2002 is a pivotal time for the Military Traffic Management Command's and its impact on the Department of Defense's moving program, she said. Four pilot programs have now been completed and lessons learned are being tabulated.

U.S. Transportation Command is currently tabulating the results of the programs.

"We must incorporate the lessons learned," said Hunt.

MTMC will continue to take steps to enhance the existing household goods program.

"We have obtained many lessons learned on how to improve our business processes," said Hunt. "I look forward to working with the military services and our industry partners to set the groundwork for the best possible program.

Hunt is working hard to better the program. However, her time is limited.

She has been named to command an Air Force logistics group beginning sometime this summer.

"My next assignment is a great honor, but I will miss my new 'Army family,'" said Hunt.

(FROM MILITARY TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS)

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