Alfred Babb:  

n started with Needlecraft Corp as a shipping clerk for about a year in the old Crown Cotton Mill. I couldn't move up unless somebody died, so I joined the Army to further my education and boy! What an education! I learned how to be a soldier, how to get in shape, and how to calibrate and repair any type of test, measurement, and diagnostic equipment. I managed calibration laboratories in Augsburg Germany and Korea, performed quality assurance inspections and technical measurement audits worldwide, managed regional and global operations, and was a company First Sergeant in Korea and Redstone Arsenal, AL. I worked in the Fire Support Team Vehicle office as my last assignment, where I learned about system readiness and about how the defense contractor system works. I became a contractor myself in April 2000, and have really enjoyed getting to help improve new missile and aviation systems that are being fielded. I do strategic logistics planning, aviation and air defense trainer and simulator development, and will field a new IFF transponder to the Army helicopter fleet beginning this fall. I realized recently that I do not have a crystal clear 5-yr plan, because I am very pleased doing my current job, which has a 5-year requirement for my services. Completing my Masters Degree this month won't change that, but it gives me more options if something better comes along, or when I get to pursue my dream job, working as a Boy Scout Executive, or a church-related field providing high standards in an outdoors setting for kids/youth.