RICHMOND, Va –
Employee spotlight regularly features outstanding non-supervisory personnel from throughout the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation and other DLA employees on Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. Organizational directors may submit names of employees they wish to feature in this column to DLA Aviation Public Affairs. For more information, call (804) 279-3139.
Name: Alexander Child
Organization: DLA Aviation at Ogden
Years of Service: 5 years
What is your job title, and what do you do, specifically? I’m an inventory management specialist. I provide DLA tailored customer support to the industrial customer on a wide range of issues involving both DLA and non-DLA managed material and ensure the timely processing of our customers’ orders and their access to product, account and order information.
What do you like most about your job? What I like most about my job is the support of my military family. I have served in the military for a total of 13-years, the first five as active-duty Army and the past eight in the Air Force reserves. I have firsthand knowledge of how important it is for all equipment to be functioning at peak efficiency and I love being part of the team that drives the core of making that happen.
If you could speak directly to the warfighters you support, what would you tell them? I would tell them to hang in there my brothers and sisters. I know exactly what you are giving up and risking by serving your country. No matter the reasons that you signed on that dotted line, you give up so much on a daily basis. Just know that there are so many people standing behind and supporting you in everything that you do.
What aspect(s) of your current job gives you the most personal satisfaction and why? One of the aspects of my job that gives me the most personal satisfaction is seeing an end-item asset go from being completely torn apart to being fixed and fully operational again. Knowing that the hard work our team put into this is one of the best feelings of accomplishment ever.
What was your first job? I started my illustrious working career at the ripe old age of 16, working as a janitor at the high school I attended here in Ogden. My duties included vacuuming, moping, mowing the lawn and taking out garbage that I previously had thrown away earlier in the day.
What advice would you have given yourself 10 years ago? This is something that I have thought about quite a bit. I think I would tell myself to stay on active duty in the Army. If I had stayed active -duty, I would be almost two thirds of the way to a full military retirement.
Where do you see yourself five years from now? This is a two-part answer. In my work life, I see myself moving up within DLA Aviation, supporting, mentoring and growing with as many people as I can along the way. In my personal life, I can see myself welcoming my children into the high school graduates club and encouraging them to join the military or to go on and get a higher education.
What are some of your passions outside of work? I would have to say my biggest passion outside of work is my family. Outside of them, I enjoy playing video games, camping, helping out others and crafts. I love to make things with my hands and show the world what I can do, everything from home renovation to building new beds for my kids. I have hope that someday my kids can use what I made for them as blueprints of what they can do for their kids.
What is your proudest accomplishment? I would have to say that my proudest accomplishment is my children. I love them and they are constantly making me a proud father in almost every aspect of their lives. They are constantly surprising me with just how smart they are. I cannot wait to see what they will accomplish in life and I am hopeful they will surpass me in every way.