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MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE BARSTOW, Calif. - Two base employees
from Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Calif., have been
traveling across the country, writing numerous reports, and working
in unfamiliar environments; all a part of a rigorous leadership
training program.
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Joann Williams (right), fire prevention specialist on Marine
Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Calif., works with Cheryle Magorno
(left), graphics designer on base, at the public affairs office
here, Sept 30, 2013. Williams has been working at the public affairs
office as an assignment for the New Leadership Program she is
participating in. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Samuel Ranney)
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Joann Williams, fire prevention inspector on base, and
Anthony Plummer, maintenance mechanic here, applied and were
selected to participate in the Graduate School USA Center
for Leadership and Management's New Leader Program.
The program is designed to develop future public leaders,
through assessment, experimental learning and individual
development opportunities, stated Greg Collins, Graduate
School USA representative.
Participants are selected
based on their leadership potential and their motivation to
participate and complete the program requirements, added
Collins.
Participants of the program are required to
have a personal development plan, take assessment tests,
three one-week training sessions from various leaders, write
book reports, shadow a leader for a set number of days, work
as a team leader, take charge of meetings and more,
explained Williams.
The program also involves a
30-day career development assignment. This requires
participants to work outside of their regular duty stations.
Williams and Plummer both picked different jobs here based
on individual interests.
“I chose to work at the
public affairs shop (here),” said Williams. “My regular job
requires me to interact with tenants very often. I thought
public affairs would give me the skills to interact with
people more efficiently.”
The Barstow native
explained she applied for the program for self-development.
“It will give me the tools to become a better
leader. Skills that I will be able to apply in my everyday
job and utilize in the future if I am ever put in a
supervisor position,” Williams added.
Williams
further explained how insightful working in a different
section has been.
“The public affairs office has
given me the opportunity to use creative freedom. I worked
with the base photographer, correspondents, and the graphic
designer,” she said. “It has been much different than
working as an inspector.”
Plummer, who has been
working with the Human Resources Office on base, and
Williams agree that the program is a great networking tool.
“The networking is especially beneficial if there is
a different field you want to get into ... this could be your
first step in that door,” Williams added.
“The
program allows you to meet and interact with different
leaders all over the country,” Plummer added.
When
he received the e-mail about a program to develop leadership
qualities it immediately sparked an interest, explained
Plummer. He went through the process of applying and getting
his supervisor's approval, and then he was accepted.
Plummer, like Williams, also applied for personal
development and to make himself a better leader as a
government employee supporting the war fighter.
“This was an opportunity for me to develop future skills,”
Plummer added, “When I am put in a leadership position I
will have the skills to do so efficiently and to make sound
decisions.”
Plummer chose HRO for his 30-day career
development to better his communication skills and to gain a
broader perspective of how things work on base. Their
mission is to fill billets throughout the base, he
explained.
“I've had to completely step outside
myself,” he said. “I went from jeans and a T-shirt working
maintenance to a suit and tie at HRO. It's a lot of
communication, written and verbal, and work needed to be
done in set time-frames.”
Plummer and Williams both
recommend this program to anyone looking for a challenge and
to better themselves.
“When I go back to my normal
job, I will be more proficient and have skills to become a
leader if needed. You never know when you will be needed to
step up ... this program gets you ready for that,” Plummer
concluded.
By USMC Pfc. Samuel Ranney
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2013
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