Richmond, Virginia –
There is a cliché that says “a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single footstep.” Air Force Tech Sgt. Lashaundra Myers’ journey so far has left her with 14 years of overseas service, a life goal accomplished, and the honor of being awarded the Defense Logistics Agency Non-Commissioned Officer of the 1st Quarter of 2017.
With only six months on the job as a materials planner, Myers exceeded expectations by increasing effectiveness from 53 to 94.3 percent by overseeing the stock level accuracy for 60 national item identification numbers.
Her work accomplishments may have singled her out for the honor of NCO of the Quarter, but it was her personal experiences that shaped her into the exemplary NCO that she is.
“I spent all of my time in service overseas,” said Myers. “This is my first stateside assignment. I was in Germany twice, Korea twice, Guam, and England.”
Traveling has been a life-changing experience for Myers that gave her a deeper understanding of the world and different walks of life.
“It gives you a different perspective and different appreciation for your family and the time you spend with them, but also an appreciation for different cultures and different people. It definitely broadens your perspective and how you view the world,” she said.
While stationed in Germany, she took the opportunity to develop her leadership skills and joined Toastmasters. An organization that, according to the Toastmasters’ website, is dedicated to providing “a supportive and positive learning experience in which members are empowered to develop communication and leadership skills, resulting in greater self-confidence and personal growth.”
“I became a member when I was in Germany,” said Myers. “It’s an overlooked organization, especially in the profession we are in. We are always talking to people, briefing people and doing something. You would think more people would be involved.”
As a future leader, Myers benefited from the organization greatly to develop herself and gain essential leadership skills.
“It allows you to gain experience in leadership, networking and things of that nature,” said Myers. “The speeches are vast in nature, so they can be an introduction speech, a narrative, or an adventurous speech. They are designed to push your limits, ultimately, at the end of the day it’s to build your confidence to speak professionally.”
As a young airman, Myers didn’t know what the Air Force Logistics Career Broadening Program was, but she knew she wanted to attend it.
“When I was a brand new airman, I was doing my career development courses and there was this program in there,” said Myers. “It was called the Career Broadening Program and you had to be a technical or master sergeant with less than 15 years in service, and I said to myself ‘I want to do this!”’
Years later while deployed with the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, and just recently making technical sergeant, Myers applied to the program and before returning home she found out that her life goal was accomplished. She was selected for tour at DLA Aviation in Richmond, Virginia, as a logistics career broadener.
“We always deal with DLA in the field,” said Myers. “I was excited to come to DLA, I joked with my friends that I would find out all of the secrets. To be here for supply, to be able to tie it all together is really exciting and it’s a great opportunity the many won’t be able to have.”
While enjoying the opportunity that her experiences have awarded her, Myers said she has a lot more time left on her journey with DLA to grow from the leadership that distinguished her as the DLA NCO of the Quarter.
“I appreciate the knowledge that is here within our leadership,” said Myers. “Their expertise is encouraging and creates an environment where you want to become an expert too. To be under their mentorship and guidance is an amazing opportunity.”