Fort Belvoir, Virginia –
Children of all ages got the chance to visit their parents’ workplace and learn about the agencies that comprise the McNamara Headquarters Complex during the annual Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day event April 25.
Defense Logistics Agency Senior Enlisted Leader Navy Command Master Chief Shaun Brahmsteadt welcomed attendees and the day’s activities began with a brief history lesson about DLA, followed by a presentation on the Department of Defense Summer Reading Program. Subject matter experts from DLA’s Equal Employment Opportunity Office, Environmental Management Office, Research and Development Office, and Human Resources Office explained their organizations’ functions.
The Defense Technical Information Center hosted a teambuilding exercise, tasking groups with creating a free-standing structure using strands of uncooked spaghetti, yarn and a marshmallow. Teams had top their creations with the marshmallow and had just 30 minutes to complete the project.
David Bullock, energy resource manager with DLA Installation Support, treated participants to a building tour, making note of the HQC building’s layout, design and energy efficient features. After the group toured the complex’s mail room, Bullock took them outside to explain how rainwater is funneled into the complex’s man-made pond and sustains small fish and turtles.
Parents and children were also encouraged to visit various information tables and displays in the HQC Cafeteria during lunch. Several children received complimentary tree saplings from DLA’s environmental management staff.
The program concluded with an interactive “Redman” self-defense demonstration by the HQC police and a presentation about when and how to use 9-1-1 emergency services. All registered children received certificates for participating.