Thousands of dedicated Pantex citizens like Allen Hassler work every day to support the Pantex mission. Take three minutes to learn about who he is, what he does, and why he is proud to be a Pantexan.
When Electronics Technician Allen Hassler says he works on radios, he’s not talking about your run-of-the-mill walkie talkies or something you would listen to music on; he’s talking about two-way radios that help protect the nation.
“I am responsible for the lifecycle management and operational readiness of approximately 2,700 radios supporting Pantex site operations,” Hassler said. “My duties include installing, programming, providing preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairing two-way radio and wireless communication systems in both mobile platforms and fixed infrastructure across the plant. Our role is to maintain communications integrity, minimize downtime, and support the broader national security mission without interruption.”
As a curious and analytical child, Hassler grew to be an even more curious and analytical adult. While riding the bus as a child, he occupied his time by taking apart and fixing things. This leaned heavily into adulthood and his career as a signal support systems specialist in the U.S. Army where he protected his fellow soldiers from things like IEDs or radio explosives through his maintenance of communications channels. When he returned home after 14 years of service, he worked a few jobs that he liked, but didn’t quite fill his need to be a part of something bigger.
“I’ve spent nearly my entire professional life in the defense industry, and I’ve seen firsthand — both domestically and internationally — just how critical this mission really is,” Hassler said. “The work done at Pantex isn’t abstract to me; I understand its impact and importance. Pantex has given me the opportunity to continue serving in a mission I believe in, while also growing professionally in a field I know well. Being part of something that significant gives me a real sense of purpose and pride.”
Not only does Hassler believe in the Pantex mission, but he also believes in the people that he works side-by-side with. He believes they are highly capable and the way they work together is why they are so successful.
“Teamwork is important because no single person carries the mission alone. In a high-consequence environment, gaps between people become risks. Strong teamwork closes those gaps. At the end of the day, teamwork isn’t about being agreeable — it’s about being accountable to one another so the mission succeeds safely and consistently. You need a unique personality to thrive in this role. We are all very like-minded and have unique eccentricities and we complement each other’s flaws. I don’t want a perfect team; I want a team that knows how to work together.”
How do you and your team contribute to mission success?
In simple terms, “No comms, no bombs.” Reliable communication is foundational to everything we do. My team ensures that the systems supporting operations across the plant and nation are secure, operational, and ready at all times. Without dependable communications, coordination slows, risks increase, and mission execution suffers.
What do you think makes Pantex so special?
Pantex sits at the intersection of national security, technical precision, and absolute accountability. The work done here directly supports the safety, reliability, and effectiveness of the nation’s nuclear deterrent. There’s no room for shortcuts, ego, or complacency. Standards are high because they have to be. We work in a place where precision isn’t optional, teamwork isn’t a buzzword, and the mission isn’t theoretical. That combination is rare.
What is the best advice you have received from a fellow Pantexan?
Don’t tackle the problem alone if you don’t have to. There is always someone willing to step in and help out.