Richmond, Virginia –
Name: Stephen Robinson
Organization: DLA Intelligence
Years of Service: Four years with DLA, five years as a contractor, 20 years serving in the U.S. Army
What is your job title, and what do you do, specifically? Security specialist. I am the Operations Security or OPSEC, Information Security or INFOSEC and Industrial Security or INDSEC program manager for DLA Aviation.
My primary responsibility as the OPSEC PM is to ensure that our critical information is protected from adversaries who would like to cause harm to the U.S. by piecing together bits of information to understand our mission, requirements and our support to overseas contingency missions.
My primary responsibility as the INFOSEC PM is to provide guidance in dealing with classified information. INFOSEC pertains to the protection of classified and controlled unclassified information (CUI) from unauthorized disclosure.
As the INDSEC PM, I ensure the safeguarding of classified information in the hands of industrial organizations, educational institutions, and all organizations and facilities used by prime and subcontractors.
What do you like most about your job? The interaction with other employees.
What is your fondest memory of working for DLA Aviation? Since I have not been with DLA Aviation for a long period of time, I would have to say my fondest memory so far is the warm welcome that I have received from the people that I have met.
If you could speak directly to the warfighters you support, what would you tell them? Protect unclassified information … sounds crazy, but our adversaries will use it to figure out our current and future support to contingency operations.
What was your first job? My first job was at Ukrops as a bagger.
Where do you see yourself five years from now? I see myself right here in five years. I truly enjoy this job, the environment and the work location! It took me over 25 years to get back to Richmond … I am not leaving anytime soon!
What are some of your passions outside of work? I enjoy spending time with my family, weekends on the boat and hunting during the winter months.
What’s the most thrilling/adventurous thing you have ever done? Jumping out of airplanes. I spent the majority of my military career at Fort Bragg, North Carolina supporting the 82d Airborne Division and 7th Special Forces Group.
If you could pick a personal motto, what would it be? This is going to sound crazy! Beach, Boats, Bars – whenever I am frustrated at work or at home, I think of the great relaxing weekends that I have spent at the beach…brings me back to reality, telling me it’s not that bad, and to keep working through the issue at hand.
What is your favorite military aircraft? Why? C-17 … great plane to jump out of! Lots of room!
If you could start your life over again, what would you do differently? The only thing I would have done differently would have been to push myself harder in school. I never knew how important a piece of paper would be in today’s world.
Have you had a mentor that helped you grow in your career? If so who, and how did they help? Sergeant Walter J. Harris was my first team leader in the military and he taught me what “right” looked like.