USTRANSCOM continues Civilian Exchange Program

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. – If you work at U.S. Transportation Command, or its components, and would like to broaden your professional skills, enhance your leadership abilities and get out of your daily grind, have we got a deal for you.

If this sounds like a recruiting brochure, in a way, it is.

If you are a GS 12 or GS 13 logistician at USTRANSCOM, Air Mobility Command or Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command this could be your chance of a lifetime, or at least a chance to broaden your horizons.

USTRANSCOM has partnered with AMC and SDDC to create a local Civilian Exchange Development program.  It offers a unique opportunity to non-supervisory GS 12/13 logisticians for voluntary one-year rotational assignments throughout the commands.

Barry Smithey, USTRANSCOM Strategy, Policy, Programs and Logistics directorate, is the Civilian Exchange Development program manager. 

“The pilot program was developed in mid-2012,” Smithey said.  “It is for non-supervisory employees in either logistics or transportation series at GS 12 or 13 grade levels.” 

According to Smithey, many highly qualified employees from USTRANSCOM and the components volunteered and seven were chosen for the initial program. 

“FY13 selectees were our test pilots and they did an outstanding job,” Smithey said.  “The program started with seven applicants, two were promoted. This year we had many high grade applicants apply and were only able to accommodate four.

“The surveys we distribute on a quarterly basis attest to the fact this program is broadening their logistical view and are glad to be allowed to learn and expand their knowledge base,” Smithey continued.  “This program not only benefits the individuals but all of our organizations will gain from the cross utilization experience these participants will bring back to their organizations.”

Sue Kennedy from USTRANSCOM, Command Control, Communication and Cyber Systems directorate, is one of the participants in the first program.  She is working at SDDC as a logistics management specialist.

 “The Exchange Program has afforded me the opportunity to be an employee of SDDC,” Kennedy said, “not a USTRANSCOM employee embedded in SDDC working USTRANSCOM issues.

“My transportation career started in AMC before I took an assignment at USTRANSCOM,” Kennedy continued.  “The program allowed me to complete the circle of knowledge by providing me the opportunity to learn SDDC's way of doing business from the inside.”         

Michael Clover, AMC air transportation operation specialist, now working at USTRANSCOM Operations and Planning directorate in the FY 13 program, summed it all up.  “This is a super, once-in-the-lifetime opportunity to learn and grow professionally.”

“I would like to continue to see the high quality of applicants apply in FY15 as we have had in the past,” Smithey added.  “FY13 program was an outstanding success and I am confident FY14 will be as well”. 

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