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News | Feb. 22, 2017

Aviation team member shares importance of leadership, resiliency with Army officers

By Amy T. Clement DLA Aviation Public Affairs

Army Maj. Alex Shimabukuro, DLA Aviation Army Customer Facing Division operations officer, served as the keynote speaker for the U.S. Army Quartermaster School, Aerial Delivery and Field Services Department’s Aerial Delivery Materiel Officers Course (ADMOC) graduation class Feb. 16 at Fort Lee, Virginia.

Shimabukuro, who has been stationed at Fort Lee three times throughout his military career and has served as Army rigger and is Airborne qualified, spoke to the group of eight graduating lieutenants about leadership and their future roles as platoon and company leaders.

“It’s important to be an engaged leader with your soldiers, set the example for others to follow, and build unit cohesiveness and pride,” Shimabukuro said.

He also spoke about resiliency and the fact that being resilient sometimes means asking for help during hard times, even as a leader. “We get tested during crises and other bad times, I certainly have.  Never be afraid to ask for help,” Shimabukuro said.  “I’ve always given 110 percent, but there have been times when I felt like I had gotten ‘sucker-punched.’ Never feel bad to reach out for those who can help or guide you when you need it.” 

Shimabukuro offered his contact information to the ADMOC graduates as an opportunity to serve as a mentor for them, or answer any questions that may arise as they move forward with their Army careers.