TOBY2028 Strategic Plan Drives Growth at Tobyhanna Army Depot Big changes are happening at Tobyhanna Army Depot – all thanks to the organization’s future-focused strategic plan, TOBY2028. TOBY2028 aligns with the depot’s four strategic focus areas, called lines of effort (LOEs): Invest in Our People, C5ISR Readiness, Shape the Future and Strategic Communications. The endeavor was launched in 2018, as depot leaders envisioned becoming the Department of Defense’s premier worldwide C5ISR readiness provider. According to TOBY2028’s overall lead Heather Fiedler, the plan’s success can be attributed to the participation of depot employees. “TOBY2028 has showcased the talents and passion of Team Tobyhanna, and they have done a great job working to shape our future and deliver on our commitments.” Fiedler is the depot’s organizational development specialist. The foundational LOE under TOBY2028 is Invest in Our People (IiOP), focusing empowerment efforts for the Army’s most important resource: its people. Fielder lauded the success of the IiOP’s Peer2Peer (P2P) Proactive Education Program, which trained employees on how to handle peer-to-peer disclosures such as harassment, suicidal ideations, substance use and mental health issues. The program strives to create grassroots support where trained peers can connect co-workers with the appropriate first responder for intervention. “Because we know that disclosures are often made to peers first, we developed this program to ensure members of Team Tobyhanna always have a trained person to confide in. After less than a year, we’ve received a wealth of positive feedback for the program – and its participants,” Fiedler said. P2P, aligned with the Communication- Electronics Command’s Selflessness-Ownership-Unity-Larger Purpose (SOUL) program, is part of a larger slate of people-focused initiatives outlined by Fielder. Two standouts include a reciprocal shadowing pilot designed to build relationships across organizational silos and a twice-weekly mindfulness group to help reduce employee stress. A pivotal accomplishment under the C5ISR Readiness LOE is the enhanced scheduling process, identified by the Army Materiel Command as a best practice earlier this year. The endeavor, originally piloted at Tobyhanna, provides leadership with real-time reporting tools based upon data entered by production floor personnel. It also heightens visual management to optimize production floor execution. Production floor leadership gave the new process rave reviews. “Enhanced scheduling enables us to more efficiently execute mission requirements by clearly defining and prioritizing workload requirements based on real-time data,” said John Scott, Chief of the Tactical Satellite Systems Branch in the C4ISR Directorate. As subject matter experts on the topic, Tobyhanna hosted 12 government agencies for a summit in July to provide training on the enhanced scheduling process. The summit also allowed depot personnel to directly interact with their counterparts at other organizations, sharing knowledge for collective growth. Strategic communications (STRATCOM) were also improved under TOBY2028, with the introduction of multiple initiatives to better inform depot stakeholders. One such initiative was the development of a recruitment video to attract talent, jointly produced by the IiOP and STRATCOM LOEs. Anne Gebhardt, Recruiting the Future Workforce team lead, says the video will be a big help in publicizing Tobyhanna to prospective employees. “We believe this video will showcase not only the many different careers at Tobyhanna, but also the excellent benefits package and the advancement opportunities here. We also believe current employees sharing why they remain part of Team Tobyhanna is a powerful endorsement.” Another STRATCOM initiative was aimed at ensuring a growing communication platform – social media – was fully accessible to all members of Team Tobyhanna’s diverse stakeholder group. “Our team was excited to develop a plan to guarantee our media products were 508-compliant, ensuring our teammates who are deaf or blind can still engage with our digital platforms and are spun up on the latest news from Team Tobyhanna,” said Ryan Beilman, co-lead of the STRATCOM Effective Communication team. Beilman outlined the plan, which requires all depot social media to include closed captioning for videos or the integration of a sign language interpreter, while images all must be accompanied by a detailed image description. Significant efforts are also underway for the Shape the Future LOE, whose mission is to drive a collaborative approach to innovation to support emerging requirements for the future force. The team’s current focus is the Technology and Capability Review Team (TCRT). This new group will identify sustainable short and long-term workloads and establish a business case analysis to address the investment opportunities. Shape the Future Lead Katlin Edmunds believes the TCRT will be a big success for Tobyhanna. “This new effort will enable us to use data for process-based decisions on strategic capability investments. Simply put, it will help us better identify new workloads for Tobyhanna’s unique skill set.” Fielder says TOBY2028 will endure long past the year 2028. “TOBY2028 is not only our organizational roadmap today; it will remain our guide well into the future.”
Tobyhanna Recognizes Employees on National Tradesman Day Charles “CJ” JaniszewskiGerard Reichle Matthew NelsonChristopher Valenza Tobyhanna Army Depot observed National Tradesman Day on September 21 by shining a spotlight on some of its expert tradesmen and saluting all tradesmen who contribute to the organization’s mission. The depot employs artisans in a variety of trades for both mission and base operations. Many of these tradesmen work in the Directorate of Systems Integration and Support (SIS), supporting refinishing and manufacturing operations vital to Tobyhanna’s overall mission supporting the joint warfighter. Charles “CJ” Janiszewski works in SIS’s Machining Branch and is responsible for a variety of tasks, including machine program editing and set-ups. A graduate of Johnson College, he says Tobyhanna Army Depot was always his employer of choice. “As soon as I graduated college, I pursued a career here because I was interested in an important mission like supporting the warfighter. I also heard a lot about the modern facilities here, and they did not disappoint,” adding that he appreciated the opportunity for personal growth thanks to the depot’s vast number of career opportunities. Machining Branch Chief Keith Knecht lauded Janiszewski’s performance and contributions to Team Tobyhanna. “CJ’s positive attitude makes him a great team member. He goes out of his way to help others, regularly offers suggestions to make things better, and is always willing to learn new things. He’s a rare find.” After 14 years as a member of the depot workforce, Sheet Metal Mechanic Christopher Valenza still comes into work with a smile on his face. “It’s amazing to be able to take a simple sheet of metal and transform it into something useful. I appreciate that I get to create something new every day,” he said. A carpenter by trade, Valenza always had an interest in other types of hands-on work, but it wasn’t until he joined Team Tobyhanna that he began working with metal. According to Valenza, legacy employees get the credit for helping him transform his career. “When I started here, I was lucky to have great mentors that provided me with on-the-job training and helped me apply my existing carpentry skills to this similar type of work. All these years later, I’m still using their teachings.” Keith Knecht, currently dual-hatting and acting as chief of the Sheet Metal Fabrication Branch, noted the important role Valenza plays in the cost center. “Chris is our go-to guy in the forming area. He is a creative problem-solver, ensuring we can always address our challenges and meet our customer requirements. He is also excellent at communicating potential issues – an extremely important quality in such a dynamic environment.” Welder Matthew Nelson is one of the Branch’s top employees, according to Welding Branch chief Robert Knecht. “Matthew has a commendable work ethic and is dedicated to our mission. His knowledge and experience make him a true subject matter expert.” Nelson began welding in high school and parlayed his hobby into a profession after earning a degree at the Pennsylvania College of Technology. After several years of working in the private sector, he pursued a career at Tobyhanna. “I was looking for a stable place to continue practicing my trade and Tobyhanna fit the bill. I was also excited about the opportunity to travel the world in support of missions,” Nelson said. He also noted that his depot experience so far had been positive – especially because his co-workers have been so willing to share best practices and knowledge. Looking ahead in his career, he says he’d like to become a certified welding inspector to continue to support his unique trade. “The science of welding continues to impress and interest me.” Robert Knecht says the Welding Branch has more than one superstar. “Gerard Reichle goes above and beyond to produce the best quality product and, without hesitation, is always willing to step up to help – no matter how challenging the task. He is a great asset to our Branch, and the depot overall.” Reichle joined Team Tobyhanna in 2018 after his private sector company was bought out. He says the challenging experience led him to great things. “I can sum it up in four words: I love it here. Although it was disappointing to leave my last job, I love the culture at Tobyhanna.” Like Valenza, Reichle has a background in carpentry, but was drawn to welding after high school. “I appreciate that welding allows me to do something different every day – my work is rarely repetitious.” When the work day ends, Reichle continues to work with his hands, whether it’s a major woodworking project or another item on his “honey do” list. “I like to keep busy.” Those interested in future career opportunities with Team Tobyhanna can apply through USAJobs at www.usajobs.gov.
Tech Support Now More Accessible at Tobyhanna Army Depot The solution to common information technology (IT) solutions is now just a stroll away for employees at Tobyhanna Army Depot. The Customer Service Branch (CSB) recently opened its Walk-In IT Service Desk in Building 11. In the new facility, IT technicians will be available to address simple customer issues on the spot, loan IT equipment, and assist users in entering help tickets for situations that require more complex solutions. Matthew Raup, Chief of the CSB, says the addition of the walk-in area will benefit both the customer and CSB staff. “The launch of our new walk-in area is a direct response to feedback from our customers. We strive to be more accessible and responsive to their needs as well as good stewards of the resources required to support the depot’s overall mission,” adding that the new walk-in area expands user options for reporting IT issues. “There are multiple ways for users to reach out to us – allowing each customer to choose the method that is best for them. We encourage our customers to reach out by walking in to our physical location, calling the Service Desk, e-mailing our group mailbox or submitting a Service Ticket themselves using the online ticketing system.” IT staff are looking forward to the new process, according to Jessica Barto. “Our team is excited about the new walk-in area and the opportunity to be more available to help our customers with their technology needs.” Barto is an IT specialist in CSB. The effort is directly aligned with the depot’s long-range strategic plan, TOBY2028, which has four focus areas: Investing in Our People, C5ISR Readiness, Shape the Future and Strategic Communications. TOBY2028 aims to posture the depot for success in the coming years. The CSB Walk-In Service Desk can be found on the first floor of Building 11. It is open daily from 0700-1630, with the exception of a lunch period from 1200-1230 daily and from 1400-1500 on Wednesdays for the CSB weekly staff meeting. Users should note the location is closed on RDO Fridays. For more information, please call X56677. Tobyhanna Army Depot is a recognized leader in providing world-class logistics support for C5ISR systems across the Department of Defense. Tobyhanna’s Corporate Philosophy, dedicated work force and electronics expertise ensure the depot is the Joint C5ISR provider of choice for all branches of the Armed Forces and industry partners. Tobyhanna’s unparalleled capabilities include full-spectrum logistics support for sustainment, overhaul and repair, fabrication and manufacturing, engineering design and development, systems integration, post production software support, technology insertion, modification, foreign military sales and global field support to our joint warfighters. About 3,700 personnel are employed at Tobyhanna, which is located in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania. Tobyhanna Army Depot is part of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command. Headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, the command’s mission is to empower the Soldier with winning C5ISR capabilities.
Training, Certifications Diversifying Workforce Knowledge at Tobyhanna Army Depot Internationally-recognized professional certifications are helping Tobyhanna Army Depot employees take their skill sets to the next level. The depot recently expanded its in-house access to training that prepares employees for the Certified Electronics Technician (CET) professional certification. Managed by the Electronics Technicians Association – International (ETA-I), the various forms of CET are recognized worldwide and validate that an individual has the skills and training to perform electronics work to an industry standard. There are four stacking certifications under the CET umbrella. The Associate Level certification, CETa, confirms that employees with less than two years professional experience/training in electronics meet ETA-I expectations. CETj builds on the entry-level CETa certification and requires additional hands-on experience as well as training in advanced electronics theories such as photonics, optics and telecommunications. Personnel who desire to further their credentials can then pursue the CETsr certification, which requires more than six years of education/experience, an active CETa certification, and high marks on the Journeyman level examination. The final CET designation is the CETma – noting an individual’s mastery in many different fields of the ever-evolving electronics field. The decision to pursue CET training for employees was an easy one, according to George Salitsky, the deputy director of the C4ISR directorate. “Just as our AS 9100/9110 certification puts Tobyhanna on par with the best of private industry, CET credentialed employees give the depot a competitive advantage. Gaining these important certifications shows that Tobyhanna employees are committed to keeping their skills sharp. The certification assures a measurable level of expertise, knowledge and quality against our electronics competitors,” he said. Personnel from the Employee Development Division (EDD) have hosted four iterations of the “Associate CET Review and Exam Prep Course” for depot electronics personnel. The course reviews CET training materials and provides a refresher on electronics basics. It also covers tactical strategies for taking a professional certification exam. By design, students have the opportunity to take the CET exam immediately after completing the course. “Taking the test right away ensures the course materials are fresh in a student’s mind,” said James Ashton, an EDD training administrator from the Resource Management Directorate. “We are focused on setting our students up for success.” Carlos Marques is an electronics mechanic helper in the C4ISR directorate who joined Team Tobyhanna in 2019. He voluntarily pursued the CET certification to expand his skill set. “I’m competitive by nature, and I knew the CET training would help me with my future career goals.” On top of his existing electronics knowledge, Marques’ preparation for the exam included the taking the depot CET prep course as well as several months of intense independent study. “After taking the prep course and the practice exams, I was able to identify the gaps in my knowledge and develop a study plan. The books and digital resources were a huge help. I even used YouTube tutorials to help me master the materials,” adding that he believes the rest of Team Tobyhanna’s electronics personnel are also up to the challenge. “While the exam was difficult, I believe it can be done by focusing on small portions of material at a time.” Patrick Connolly, chief of the Command Post Systems Branch, lauded Marques’ accomplishment and noted the importance of industry-standard accreditations such as CET. “Carlos is an analytical self-starter, and it is no surprise to me that he was able to pass the CET exam. The CET certification helps our workforce expand their knowledge in the vast field of electronics and grow themselves, benefitting both themselves and our mission. Workforce agility is key to ensuring we can support any requirement for the joint warfighter.” The CET initiative is directly aligned with Tobyhanna’s long-range strategic plan, TOBY2028, particularly the Invest in Our People, Shaping the Future and C5ISR Readiness lines of effort. Depot training personnel are currently piloting an expanded CET preparation course. Employees interested in the CET certification should review Employee Bulletin #33 or contact EDD at X56492. Tobyhanna Army Depot is a recognized leader in providing world-class logistics support for C5ISR systems across the Department of Defense. Tobyhanna’s Corporate Philosophy, dedicated work force and electronics expertise ensure the depot is the Joint C5ISR provider of choice for all branches of the Armed Forces and industry partners. Tobyhanna’s unparalleled capabilities include full-spectrum logistics support for sustainment, overhaul and repair, fabrication and manufacturing, engineering design and development, systems integration, post production software support, technology insertion, modification, foreign military sales and global field support to our joint warfighters. About 3,700 personnel are employed at Tobyhanna, which is located in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania. Tobyhanna Army Depot is part of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command. Headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, the command’s mission is to empower the Soldier with winning C5ISR capabilities.
Tobyhanna Employee Services Center Offers Short-Term Counseling, Resources for Workforce When employees at Tobyhanna Army Depot experience a mental health issue, they don’t need to look far for help. The depot’s Employee Services Center (ESC) is available to provide short-term counseling and support for a variety of issues. The ESC mission focuses on prevention, education, training and short-term counseling in the areas of substance abuse, suicide, sexual assault, and employee work/life well-being. All services are confidential and take place on post. Brittany Anderson, the ESC’s Community Support Advocate, is a board-certified clinical counselor who specializes in family situations as well as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). She outlined the distinction between ESC services and the traditional mental health care model. “Our services are not intended for long-term mental health treatment. Instead, we offer members of Team Tobyhanna brief, solution-focused counseling. During sessions, we work with clients to help them balance their stress and create a foundation for their next steps,” she said, adding that clients with issues that require long-term treatment are referred out to therapists and/or services in the community which are tailored to meet employee needs. But ESC support doesn’t stop once a referral is made. “Even after referral, we maintain contact and offer follow-ups to ensure Tobyhanna Army Depot is an environment that supports employees during their times of need. We want to ensure employees know that we’re here as they move on to the next step of their journey,” Anderson said. “At the end of counseling, we hope our clients leave with an improved quality of life and the ability to address their challenge. Team Tobyhanna – if you need help, please reach out. We will never turn anyone away.” The ESC is led by Tobyhanna newcomer Ricardo Horn. Horn is a licensed social worker who earned his Master’s Degree from the Marywood University School of Social Work, where he continues to provide support as an adjunct professor. As the Chief of the ESC, he oversees formal programs such as the Employee Assistance Program, Army Substance Abuse Program, and the Sexual Harassment/Assault Response Program. Horn also joins Anderson in providing mental health care to depot employees – a growing mission for the ESC team, one Horn says he hopes more people utilize in the future. “Despite the prevalence of mental illness in America, the stigma associated with counseling still prevents many people from getting the help they need,” said Horn. “Mental health awareness is important because it brings attention, focusing on the potential for recovery.” He adds, “Seeking help is a sign of courage and should never be viewed as a weakness or personal shortcoming.” According to the World Health Organization, one in four people worldwide is affected by a mental health issue or disorder. The services of the ESC are available to all Department of Defense employees and their immediate family members. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the ESC office at (570) 615-8873. If you or a loved one are in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or the ESC Hotline at (570) 615-5591.
Tobyhanna Army Depot Retains Aerospace Standard Quality Certification After External Audit Tobyhanna Army Depot’s quality management system (QMS) will maintain an industry-standard certification after an audit by outside officials last week. Auditors from Orion Registrar visited the depot to conduct a surveillance audit in accordance with the depot’s certification in the Aerospace 9100/9110 Standard (AS). Derived from the ISO 9001 quality system, AS 9100 includes additional quality system requirements demanded by the aerospace and defense industries, which are vital to support the depot’s maintenance efforts on avionics components for military aircraft. Tobyhanna has maintained industry-standard quality certifications since 2003. Only 20,000 companies worldwide hold the AS certification. Surveillance audits are conducted between recertification audit years and required Orion personnel to spend 10 total auditor days investigating Tobyhanna’s adherence to AS. At the conclusion of the audit, Orion recommended the depot keep the AS certification and lauded the depot’s performance, specifically by the workforce. “We are always impressed by Team Tobyhanna; however, several areas and employees stood out as exceptional,” said auditors Eric Barnes and Dan Wyrick. “Special recognition goes out to Steven Ornitz of the Systems Integration and Support (SIS) directorate, the Quality Management Division team, and the TACSAT Systems and Component Branches of the C4ISR directorate.” John Scott, chief of the TACSAT Systems Branch, says he appreciated the praise from Barnes, but couldn’t take the credit for his Branch’s audit success. “When it comes to quality, process discipline is very important to our TACSAT team. They are continuously looking for ways to improve even the most miniscule tasks while at the same time holding each other and their leadership accountable. If anyone deserves the accolades for our audit success, it’s them.” Electronics Mechanic Supervisor William Long agreed. “Our team welcomes the opportunity to be audited with a fresh set of eyes and, because of that willingness to take feedback, we are continuously growing as an organization.” Within their recommendation for recertification, the auditors cited best practices as well as areas for improvement (AFIs), according to Robert Haas, Director of Quality Management. He says the audit-identified AFIs are always welcome. “We appreciate the chance to learn from these AFIs and make Tobyhanna Army Depot’s QMS even stronger,” adding that one AFI noted by the auditors was corrected before the audit was even over. “Orion personnel identified a discrepancy between paperwork and the process in one of our SIS refinishing shops,” he said. “Eugene Haikes, the shop supervisor, immediately addressed the issue and put a preventative action in place. This is a great example of how Team Tobyhanna places quality and AS at the forefront of our processes.” Auditors will return to Tobyhanna for another surveillance audit in late 2022. Maintaining the AS certification and a healthy QMS is directly aligned with Tobyhanna’s long-range strategic plan, TOBY2028. The plan has four strategic focus areas: Investing in Our People, C5ISR Readiness, Shape the Future and Strategic Communications and aims to posture the organization for future success. Tobyhanna Army Depot is a recognized leader in providing world-class logistics support for C5ISR systems across the Department of Defense. Tobyhanna’s Corporate Philosophy, dedicated work force and electronics expertise ensure the depot is the Joint C5ISR provider of choice for all branches of the Armed Forces and industry partners. Tobyhanna’s unparalleled capabilities include full-spectrum logistics support for sustainment, overhaul and repair, fabrication and manufacturing, engineering design and development, systems integration, post production software support, technology insertion, modification, foreign military sales and global field support to our joint warfighters. About 3,700 personnel are employed at Tobyhanna, which is located in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania. Tobyhanna Army Depot is part of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command. Headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, the command’s mission is to empower the Soldier with winning C5ISR capabilities.
Tobyhanna Army Depot Keeps Soldiers Connected Through Partnership with Project Manager Tactical Radios Employees at Tobyhanna Army Depot are playing a big role in the deployment of critical communications equipment for America’s warfighters. The depot and Project Manager Tactical Radios (PM TR) are working together to create radio installation kits (IKs) for the Integrated Tactical Network (ITN) capability fielding. A key priority for the Army, the ITN incorporates the Army’s current tactical network environment (applications, devices, gateways, etc.) with commercial components and transport capabilities to ensure warfighters are always connected, even in the furthest corners of the world. “When battalions deploy, the IKs we create at Tobyhanna will help them set up a ‘communications bubble’ that does not rely on towers. Simply put, our work makes sure the warfighter is never without communication capability,” said Kris Martin, the logistics management specialist for the program. Martin, who works in the Production Management directorate, is just one part of a 17-person team that is dedicated full-time to the ITN IK mission. The team consists of logistics support from the Production Management directorate, engineering support from the Production Engineering directorate and fabrication support from the Systems Integration and Support (SIS) directorate. He says the team is top-notch. “We have phenomenal support from our teammates across the depot, especially the folks in SIS. They do an incredible job responding to the shifting priorities of this program, allowing us to always meet customer requirements.” The fastest-growing segment of the partnership is fabrication work, which has doubled in the past year. Depot employees can fabricate more than 1,000 different items for PM TR, according to Martin. “Our SIS artisans do an amazing job building power and signal cables as well as manufacturing a variety of metal components for the IKs.” In addition to the work performed on-site, depot personnel also travel around the world to field the IKs – an endeavor that technical personnel say is key to mission success. “IK fieldings help our team gain a cradle-to-grave understanding of this workload,” said Blake Small, an electronics technician assigned to the program. “It also allows us to identify potential improvements we can incorporate into our processes for the next fielding. We are committed to always growing.” The depot also hosts two other PMs for interoperability testing – allowing for a validation and verification of components prior to the fielding. According to PM TR Fielding and Operations Chief Nelson Cespedes, the endeavor is vital to Warfighter success. “The interoperability testing helps us ensure the IKs and other equipment perform as expected. By identifying issues proactively, we can ensure our Soldiers have the highest quality equipment that gives them the support they need on the battlefield.” Tobyhanna previously collaborated with PM TR on a highly-successful program focused on integrating Manpack radios for Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB) units. The depot served as the central logistics hub, streamlining the process overall and reducing travel time for key personnel. Timothy Ivory, Chief of PM TR’s Integrated Product Support Branch, says the continued relationship was a no-brainer. “Our experience with Tobyhanna has been fantastic. The team here understands our dynamic, enduring requirements and always finds a way to give us what we need,” adding that the SIS team who builds cabling has provided mission-saving support more than once. Ivory says he expects to be working with Team Tobyhanna long after the ITN kitting project ends in 2032. “We don’t see ourselves going anywhere else – the investment in Team Tobyhanna has certainly been worth it.” The continued partnership between Tobyhanna and PM TR is directly aligned with the depot’s long-range strategic plan, TOBY2028 – specifically the C5ISR Readiness and Shape the Future lines of effort. PM TR is part of the Program Executive Office for Command, Control and Communications-Tactical (PEO C3T), which works closely with the Army Futures Command’s Network Cross Functional Team to improve and grow the Army’s tactical network for current and future Soldiers. Tobyhanna Army Depot is a recognized leader in providing world-class logistics support for command, control, communications, computers, cyber, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C5ISR) systems across the Department of Defense. Tobyhanna’s Corporate Philosophy, dedicated work force and electronics expertise ensure the depot is the Joint C5ISR provider of choice for all branches of the Armed Forces and industry partners. Tobyhanna’s unparalleled capabilities include full-spectrum logistics support for sustainment, overhaul and repair, fabrication and manufacturing, engineering design and development, systems integration, post production software support, technology insertion, modification, foreign military sales and global field support to our joint warfighters. About 3,700 personnel are employed at Tobyhanna, which is located in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania. Tobyhanna Army Depot is part of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command. Headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, the command’s mission is to empower the Soldier with winning C5ISR capabilities.
Tobyhanna Army Depot Recognizes Interns on National Intern Day Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) observed National Intern Day on July 29 by shining a spotlight on depot employees who joined Team Tobyhanna through internship programs. The Pathways Program provides streamlined Federal employment opportunities for students near graduation and recent graduates. Current students can participate in the Internship Program for temporary summer jobs while recent graduates can apply for permanent jobs at Tobyhanna. Scott Corti, an Information Technology (IT) trainee in the Production Engineering Directorate, joined Team Tobyhanna last October after a neighbor encouraged him to seek federal employment. “I always wanted to serve in the military, and I have a medical condition that kept me from enlisting. After hearing about how great Tobyhanna is, I applied to serve as a civilian,” adding that the depot’s location was also a benefit for him. “Because my family is very important to me, I wanted to remain in Northeastern Pennsylvania. My position at Tobyhanna allows me to do that and also have a true purpose in my work.” As an IT trainee, Corti works with senior IT specialists to ensure the security of military information systems. He says the position is a perfect match for his outside of work pursuits. “My grandfather bought me a computer when I was four years old and they’ve [computers] have been my hobby ever since. It was really exciting to be able to translate my interest into a profession.” Corti will graduate with his Bachelor’s Degree from Wilkes University this fall and looks forward to a long career with the depot. “I enjoy government service and believe I can make a difference as part of Team Tobyhanna.” Hannah Gaul, a logistics management specialist in the Production Management Directorate, also finds gratification in her role in the Sustainment Planning Division (SPD). “The positive culture and mission focus here are my favorite things about being a part of Team Tobyhanna,” she said. “I know what we do matters.” As a student at the University of Scranton, Gaul gravitated towards marketing and operations management – fields that aligned with her interest in customer service. The Pathways program allowed her to intern at Tobyhanna during her senior year of college. She says the experience prepared her well for a full-time position in SPD. “Being enrolled in college courses while simultaneously interning at Tobyhanna allowed me to connect my learning experiences in the classroom directly to the workplace,” adding that she was grateful the University’s career development office shared depot career opportunities with students. Business development is a main focus for SPD, with Gaul focusing on the development of public-private partnerships (P3s). P3s allow the Department of Defense to leverage unique capabilities available in the private sector to support operational readiness in the most effective and efficient fashion. In the future, Hannah hopes to gain her Project Management Professional certification and expand her ability to support production management requirements across the depot. Chris Urban and Anthony Bojnowski are both interns in the Systems Integration and Support (SIS) Directorate, supporting refinishing operations on a variety of military assets. While working in a similar capacity, they are in different stages of their intern experience. Urban, a senior Corporate Communications major at Penn State’s Scranton campus, expects to graduate in the spring. Although he’s been working in a field different from his planned career, he says the experience has been extremely valuable. “Before my internship, I didn’t even know Tobyhanna existed. Working here as an intern has helped me understand how the business works on the shop floor and, since I plan to work here after graduation, I believe that will benefit me no matter what position I end up in.” Bojnowski agreed. “Everything I am learning here is truly beneficial and I know I will use it later in life.” Still a high school student, Bojnowski entered the Pathways Program to expand his industrial skill set. A student at the Wilkes-Barre Area Career and Technical Center, he plans to work as a licensed electrician in the future. Both interns lauded the internship program and, specifically, the SIS leadership for facilitating such an incredible experience for students. “The team and leadership here is great,” Urban said. Students interested in future internship opportunities with Team Tobyhanna can apply through USAJobs at www.usajobs.gov. For more information, students can visit the Office of Personnel Management website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/students-recent-graduates/
Tobyhanna Army Depot Recognizes Contributions of Veteran Workforce Tobyhanna Army Depot observed National Hire A Veteran Day on July 25 by highlighting Veterans across the workforce. The observance, created in 2017, serves as a call to action for employers to augment their workforce with veterans, who bring a unique blend of skills and practical experience to the workplace. Nearly a quarter of the depot’s workforce has prior military experience. Air Force veteran Gretchen Bentler serves as the depot’s Employment Readiness and Financial Readiness program manager. In her role, she provides guidance to active duty, retired and reserve/guard Soldiers, and other service members on finding employment and maintaining good financial health. She says she understands all too well how hard it is to adjust to civilian life. “After serving for 10 years, I had a hard time ‘finding myself’ and feeling like I was making a valuable contribution to society.” While attending Johnson College and studying electronics technology, she joined Team Tobyhanna as a materials handler in the Production Management directorate. While the position served many of her career goals, something was missing. After a year at the depot, Gretchen transferred to the Veterans Administration. “My passion was always helping others, and I missed interacting one-on-one with service members,” she said. In 2011, Bentler shifted her educational pursuits by returning to school and completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Counseling and Human Services and her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Scranton. Returning to Tobyhanna in her current position in 2016, where she strives to help America’s heroes ensure they have purpose in the next phases of their lives. Looking ahead in her career, Bentler hopes to continue to make a difference in the lives of others. “I am lucky to have a true passion for what I do. I hope to carry that into the future for a purposeful, fulfilling next chapter.” Eligible service members can learn about the GI bill, take workshops on using USA Jobs and even participate in mock interviews through Tobyhanna’s Employment Readiness program. After retiring from the Army after 32 years, former depot Sergeant Major Kelvin Spencer did not intend to become a permanent Northeastern Pennsylvania resident. He knew he wanted to continue serving Soldiers and their families, but, like Bentler, was unsure where the “right place” was for him. “When a position opened up at the depot, it was very enticing to remain here as part of Team Tobyhanna – an organization and community I already had a strong commitment to. In addition, I was thrilled that I may be able to use skills I gained over the years,” adding that he supervised communications and electronics equipment repairers in the Army. Since re-joining the depot team in 2012, Spencer has served as a leader in the Systems Integration and Support Directorate, where he says he continues to honor the values he learned as a Soldier. “As a leader, I still live by the Non-Commissioned Officer’s (NCO) Creed and focus on the two responsibilities of an NCO – the accomplishment of our mission, and the welfare of my team. Nothing is more important to me,” adding that he strives to capitalize on the skills of depot veterans wherever he can. Spencer also serves as the President of the Tobyhanna Chapter of the Association of the United States Army, where he takes delight in helping make Northeastern Pennsylvania a better place. The former Sergeant Major has a clear message for service members considering employment with Team Tobyhanna. “This is a welcoming place for you. Your experience, knowledge and skills can be used to help the Soldiers who come after you when they need it most.” The Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) Veterans Council supports northeastern Pennsylvania’s veteran community both on and off the installation. Officially chartered in October 1997, the organization’s mission is to promote connection and comrade rie for those who have served, and provide support and information for those who seek it. In tandem with the Army Community Services office, the council is available to provide veterans with updates on current changes to military benefits, and assist veterans with transitional issues, unused benefits, and general support by directing them to available resources. Longtime member and the council’s current president, Adam Chase strives to invest his time and attention to the causes and concerns of the active and veteran personnel of all the uniformed services through the works of the group. “We pride ourselves in the ability to direct or refer those needing assistance or help to any number of resources in our community,” said Chase, who is himself a U.S. Army veteran with 21 years of service. “Our members consist of a diverse group of veterans with a vast knowledge base.” Though much of the support the council provides happens away from the spotlight, the organization steps forward several times throughout the year to honor and show support for the community of service men and women on and off the depot, through planned observances, ceremonies and events. The Veterans Council’s keystone events bring appreciation and awareness to important veteran commemorations – Memorial Day, the Armed Forces birthdays, POW-MIA Remembrance Day, and Veterans Day. The group extends the invitation to the many veteran employees at TYAD to take an active role in these events. But one is not required to have served in the armed services to join the council and support these endeavors – all Team Tobyhanna employees are welcome to join the Tobyhanna Army Depot Veteran’s Council – whether a veteran, or a non-veteran with veteran causes at heart. “Any current or former member of the armed forces, non-veterans receiving benefits, military dependents, or depot employees who share a common interest are welcome to attend and actively participate in Veteran Council activities, and can be a member of the organization,” said Mike Cook, council Vice President and Tobyhanna employee. “Criteria for membership includes attending a council meeting and expressing a desire to become involved.” The Tobyhanna Army Depot Veterans Council meets the first Thursday of every month at Noon in the Lexington Conference room. Employees can get involved by contacting any one of the council officers: Adam Chase, President; Mike Cook, Vice President; or Tom Salek, Sergeant at Arms. Tobyhanna Army Depot is a recognized leader in providing world-class logistics support for command, control, communications, computers, cyber, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C5ISR) systems across the Department of Defense. Tobyhanna’s Corporate Philosophy, dedicated work force and electronics expertise ensure the depot is the Joint C5ISR provider of choice for all branches of the Armed Forces and industry partners. Tobyhanna’s unparalleled capabilities include full-spectrum logistics support for sustainment, overhaul and repair, fabrication and manufacturing, engineering design and development, systems integration, post production software support, technology insertion, modification, foreign military sales and global field support to our joint warfighters. About 3,700 personnel are employed at Tobyhanna, which is located in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania. Tobyhanna Army Depot is part of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command. Headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, the command’s mission is to empower the Soldier with winning C5ISR capabilities.
New leadership at Tobyhanna Army Depot There are two new leaders at Tobyhanna Army Depot. Col. John W. McDonald relinquished command of Tobyhanna Army Depot to Col. Daniel Horn during a change of command ceremony on June 28. Sgt. Maj. Shantae Gordon also relinquished responsibility as the depot’s senior enlisted officer, welcoming Sgt. Maj. Michael J. Wiles to the Tobyhanna family. The ceremony, which culminated with a passing of Tobyhanna’s flag, was presided over by Maj. Gen. Mitchell Kilgo, Commanding General of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command. Depot employees, representatives of state and local government, and family members witnessed the event. Col. McDonald’s next assignment is with the Joint Staff Operations Directorate at the Pentagon. In his parting remarks, he promised to never forget his time at Tobyhanna Army Depot. “My assignment here at Tobyhanna has been, without a doubt, the best and most broadening I have experienced in my career. I will take and share the Tobyhanna legacy with anyone who will listen.” Horn is the depot’s 34th commander, joining Team Tobyhanna fresh off an assignment as the military deputy of the Defense Logistics Agency, U.S. Central Command and U.S. Special Operations Command forward. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington. Horn also has Master of Science degrees in Supply Chain Management from Kansas University, and Strategic Studies from Army War College. As commander, Horn will lead 3,700 employees responsible for supporting global readiness for Command, Control, Communications, Computer, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) systems across the Department of Defense. Wiles is the depot’s 21st sergeant major. His most recent assignment was as the chief mechanical operations sergeant major for the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia. He has served in staff and leadership positions at stateside and overseas military installations including the Republic of South Korea; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Fort Hood, Texas, and Fort Lee, Virginia. As sergeant major, Wiles serves as the voice of the warfighters who use equipment repaired by the depot. He advises the commander on all matters relating to Soldiers, the civilian workforce and their family members. In his first address as depot commander, Col. Horn expressed his excitement at joining Team Tobyhanna. “When I learned that commanding Tobyhanna Army Depot was my next assignment, I was elated that I’d be leading such a skilled and dedicated workforce. You have a reputation for strategic planning and innovation,” adding that he holds the mission of Tobyhanna close to his heart. “As Army Civilians, you have what many other people do not: a sacred purpose behind your work. What you do matters. You matter. Like any job, there will be good days and frustrating days. But when you get home at night, I hope you’ll remember that your work helps our warfighters keep America safe. And I hope you’ll be as proud of that as I am.”
