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News | Aug. 30, 2018

Employee Spotlight: Maggie Christensen

DLA Aviation Public Affairs

Name: Maggie Christensen

Organization: DLA Aviation - Cherry Point

Years of Service: 33 years total government service, 17 years with DLA

What is your job title, and what do you do, specifically?  I’m a customer support manager. I represent Fleet Readiness Center East, Cherry Point, North Carolina to DLA Enterprise regarding overall weapon system and/or commodity product line support, resolve high-priority logistics, supply and distribution issues. Coordinate with other CSMs at the Navy or Air Force retail sites as needed. I serve as a project manager on weapon systems support for readiness and as a focal point for DLA in identifying logistics problems.

What do you like most about your job?  Being right here with our customer. I used to work in Richmond, but I wanted to be closer to our customers, so I took a lateral move to come to Cherry Point back in July 2008. We get to see the results of team DLA Aviation - Cherry Point efforts. You can’t beat walking past the artisans working in the hangers, knowing that you are doing something to help get that helicopter or aircraft back to the Fleet and to the warfighter.

What kind(s) of training and education helps your work performance in your current role? The time I spent in the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard as a crew chief for the Air Force KC-135 refueling tanker and quality assurance specialist, as well as my previous jobs I’ve held with DLA as a product specialist and customer logistics site specialist, have given me a well-rounded background in my quest to provide the best support to our customers.

What would you say has been your major contributions to your organization this year in your job? Providing deep dive material supportability analysis, in support of component induction schedules for FRC East

If you could speak directly to the warfighters you support, what would you tell them? God bless you. I support and thank you for your service.

What was your first job? Pumping gas at an Exxon service station

What advice would you have given yourself 10 years ago? I would tell myself everything is a learning experience. Love it or hate it, but move on. You only have one life to live, so enjoy it.

Where do you see yourself five years from now? Starting to think about retirement.

What are some of your passions outside of work? Walks on the beach, watching the sun rise, and taking walks with my two chocolate Labrador retrievers. 

What’s the most thrilling/adventurous thing you have ever done?  While I was with the Virginia Air National Guard, I got to go on an incentive ride in an Air Force F-16. The pilot let me take the controls and actually fly the jet! Even got to do a barrel roll. We broke the sound barrier, which seemed weird at the time because there was no noise at all. 

If you had a theme song, what would it be and why?  “I’m Still Standing” by Elton John. For all that I’ve experienced in my life, so far, I’ve picked up the pieces and moved on in my life. 

 

If you could pick a personal motto, what would it be?  She loves good vibes, wild waves, warm sun, kind words, freedom to be herself…flow, hustle, dreams…coffee, caring…and Tacos, by Mark Anthony.

What is your favorite military aircraft and why?? The Air Force KC-135 refueling tanker. I spent 16 of my 21 combined military service years as a crew chief on many different variants of this aircraft. 

If you could start your life over again, what would you do differently?  If I could get a do over, I would learn how to fly. My dad was a pilot for Eastern Airlines and prior to that, he was instructor pilot in the Army Air Corps. Whenever we would catch a hop on a trip, he was the pilot.  No matter the weather, you never knew when we touched down.

What is your proudest accomplishment?  Serving my country for 21 years of combined military service, U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard. I retired in the rank of E-7 or master sergeant.

What five things could you absolutely not live without?  God, my family, my dogs, music and spending time outdoors

What is/are your favorite book(s), television show(s) or movie(s)? Any musical, especially the old black and white ones. I love those. I don’t like it when they try and colorize them. Just not the same.   

What type of music do you most enjoy?  I enjoy most all types of music except hard rock.