Pantex Blog
Pantex Citizen: Jordan Gladman
Jordan Gladman leads firearms training during a live-range exercise.
When Jordan Gladman steps onto the Pantex site, he is not just clocking in; he is stepping into a role that plays a critical part of our nation's security. As a Security Operations and Training officer at Pantex, Gladman serves as a Special Response Team captain and lead instructor for the Tactical Response Force Academy, where he is responsible for preparing newly hired security police officers (SPOs) for one of the most important jobs in the country — protecting the nation's nuclear deterrent.
“The team of lieutenants I work with daily are some of the most knowledgeable and highly trained officers on the Protective Force. All are considered subject matter experts in their respective fields, which makes their program one of the most respected in the complex,” Gladman said. “Without their experience, what we have accomplished with this program, would not be possible.”
His instruction covers critical areas like firearms, close quarter battle, active threat response, intermediate force combatives, emergency medical response, as well as case law and other topics. His leadership ensures that every new officer is not only technically and tactically proficient but also mentally prepared to respond to high–risk and high–stress situations.
That same dedication to readiness and safety does not end when he leaves the site. Recently, he was selected as an instructor for the Texas Tactical Police Officers Association (TTPOA), the largest SWAT association in the United States, that represents the best in law enforcement.
Gladman continued, “Being selected as an instructor for the TTPOA is a tremendous honor. It's a responsibility I take seriously because the skills we teach can quite literally save lives.”
This is a reflection on his national reputation as a trusted expert in tactical training, and highlights the level of respect he has earned across the country for his skills, professionalism, and dedication to developing those who serve on the front lines.
“I believe preparedness is a service to our community,” Gladman said. “Whether I'm teaching new SPOs at Pantex or working with law enforcement across the country, my goal is always the same: give people the skills and mindset they need to protect and respond with confidence under pressure.”
Gladman also owns Critical Advantage Training & Consulting, LLC, a company based out of Amarillo, offering a broad range of firearms and tactical training from large–scale law enforcement contracts to individual concealed carry classes designed for armed citizens who want to be confident and capable.
Gladman's roles all reflect a deep passion for service that goes far beyond job titles.
“I see my role at Pantex and Critical Advantage as part of the same mission – preparing good people to stand ready when it matters most,” said Gladman. “Whether it's protecting the nuclear facility or helping a community police department strengthen its tactical response, it
all comes down to the same core values: readiness, responsibility, and service.”
Gladman continued, “I believe in giving people the skills to problem solve at the speed of life.”
His commitment to training, leadership, and community outreach is a powerful example of how Pantex citizens make an impact both on and off the site. Through his work, Gladman demonstrates what it takes to be a true Pantex citizen.
Listen to Gladman's episode of the Citizens of Pantex podcast here.
If you are interested in volunteering opportunities or representing Pantex in the community, please reach out to Public Affairs at Public_Affairs@pantex.doe.gov.
Pantex Proud: Lindsey Irving
Thousands of dedicated Pantex citizens like Lindsey Irving work every day to support the Pantex mission. Take three minutes to learn about who she is, what she does, and why she is proud to be a Pantexan.
Pantex Service Desk Manager Lindsey Irving learned that if she wanted to be happy and prideful, she shouldn’t change, she should just be herself.
Irving’s grandmother and mother, two extremely independent, spirited women, taught her never to give in to other people’s expectations. With this mindset, Irving set out into the college-to-career world, fearlessly authentic, free to explore options.
“Picking a major and choosing a career path, was extremely stressful because I love to learn about pretty much anything and have so many interests,” Irving said. “My first degree was actually in Medical Technology. I often joke I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up! I landed in IT out of pure chance, but it has been very rewarding.”
Irving left the medical field to work in special education for several years. From there, she migrated into the technology department, helping teachers integrate tech into their classrooms. While serving as IT Support Manager at River Road Independent School District, a similar position opened at Pantex, and she took her talents down Highway 60. Being part of the service desk team is one of Irving’s favorite aspects of her work environment, and it is also one of her proudest.
“Many people experiencing PC-related issues call the service desk first,” Irving said. “So, my team is on the front lines when it comes to providing support to our fellow Pantexans. We do our best to keep them up and running and to continue their daily tasks and, in turn, carry out the mission.”
On an individual level, Irving has some advice to all Pantexans, and she provides a glimpse of how she puts her guidance into action.
“Recognize the value you contribute to the mission, take pride in your work, and perform to the best of your ability,” Irving said. “For me, I’m focused on leading my team the best I can. I work to create a culture of supportiveness and to set a standard of excellence. We are learning and growing together.”
What is one thing your coworkers would be surprised to know about you?
About 10 years before she passed away, I met Ms. Rosa Parks during a motivational speaking engagement. Meeting her was incredible! Standing within a foot of a true icon was super surreal. It was an honest-to-goodness “wow” moment, something I will never forget. Tiny lady with a huge presence!
Why are communications important for all Pantex employees?
Pantex will be at 5,000 employees before you know it. With that many people, communication is critical because we all need to have awareness of expectations and situations in order to function as a unit. When it comes down to it, Pantex is one unit working toward the same mission.
What advice would you offer a new employee?
Get involved and treat everything like a learning opportunity. Asking questions is crucial. Lean on the knowledge and experience of the folks around you to help you solve problems and even use that to let new ideas take root.
From sole to soul: PXFD climbs for remembrance
Firefighters Jacob Frame, Joshua Brown, and Mike Kendrick climbed 110 stories to honor the 343 firefighters killed in the line of duty on September 11.
Three members of the Pantex Fire Department (PXFD) participated in the Kansas City 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb to honor the firefighters killed in the line of duty on September 11, 2001. Pantexans Joshua Brown, Jacob Frame, and Mike Kendrick joined hundreds of other firefighters from around the country to climb 110 stories to the top of the Skyline Collection high-rise in downtown Kansas City to memorialize the fallen.
“I climbed for those who never made it to the top,” Brown said. “For me, it’s about honoring the firefighters who gave their lives serving others and remembering the families they left behind. This is my small way of paying tribute.”
The Kansas City Memorial Stair Climb is one of many events across the nation specifically dedicated to honoring the first responders who lost their lives responding to the 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. Each climber is assigned a photo and badge of one of the 343 fallen firefighters who bravely ran toward danger to try to help others but never came back. Climbers ascend 110 stories, the height of the Twin Towers, in full gear to get the photo to the finish. The process involves climbing to the top of the Skyline Collection, taking an elevator to the bottom, and then restarting the climb multiple times to achieve all 110 stories. The stairwell route is plastered with pictures of the firefighters, their families, photos from that day, and various other pieces of memorabilia.
“It’s life changing,” Frame said. “Participating in an event like this is such an emotional roller coaster and it is a huge honor to be able to do it. It’s not a race — it’s an experience that takes time due to its overwhelming nature.”
Each firefighter carried not just the photo and the weight of their gear, but the enduring heroic legacy of the fallen and a promise to never forget. The climb represents 24 years of unwavering remembrance and ensures that the lives lost continue to be honored. At the end, Brown, Frame, and Kendrick rang a bell with a mixture of sorrow and pride, signifying they reached the top — an honor many were not afforded.
“The fire service is built on sacrifice,” Brown said. “This event comes at a cost: time off, travel, physical effort — but it’s worth it. Honoring them isn’t just tradition, it’s a responsibility. The men and women who ran into those buildings didn’t ask to be called heroes. They wanted to save lives. It’s on us to make sure their stories are told, and their legacies live on.”
The stair climb is one way Pantexans honor the fallen. A permanent memorial featuring a piece of the Twin Towers sits in front of the Pantex Fire Station beneath the American flag.
“Due to the memorial here being ever-present, it’s impossible to forget what happened that day,” Frame said. “September 11 is the perfect example of firefighters going to work and putting themselves in harm’s way for the sake of complete strangers. With so many people lost in one event, it has had such a huge impact on the fire service. Firefighters are happy to go to work for the sole purpose of helping strangers. It is truly an honor to be a part of the firefighter community.”
PXFD members play a critical role in supporting Pantex’s mission and demonstrate their commitment through community engagement. Whether assisting neighboring departments through mutual aid, leading training exercises, supporting local schools, or climbing 110 flights of stairs in remembrance of heroes, they take pride in representing Pantex well beyond the plant. With each step, PXFD not only honored the fallen but reaffirmed their own dedication to a profession defined by courage and bravery.
9/11 commemorative helmet
High–rise in downtown Kansas City
343 fallen firefighters mural
Firefighters Joshua Brown, Mike Kendrick, and Jacob Frame
Are you ready for it?
At Pantex, we normally don't prepare for thieves stealing hearts and never saying sorry, but we do plan for most other things. One way is by promoting National Preparedness Month in September — an annual Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) campaign to encourage emergency readiness through education and awareness.
“The annual campaign is designed to ultimately better protect all of us by encouraging families and communities to start a conversation and create plans for emergency situations,” Emergency Preparedness Specialist Stacie Pahl said. “It's a reminder that setting aside the time now and taking in considerations while things are calm will allow for better decision making and improved response in an emergency.”
FEMA chose “Preparedness Starts at Home” as the 2025 campaign theme. Pantex uses this to tailor messaging specific to our workforce to ensure we are safe, proactive, and resilient in completing our mission.
“Preparedness transforms a workforce from a reactive state to a proactive and adaptable one,” Pahl said. “Fostering this safety culture builds the capacity to cope in emergencies and equips us with the ability to rebound stronger and operate effectively during significant challenges, which is
the hallmark of true resilience.”
Pantex's mission demands a proactive and vigilant mindset. This is accomplished by implementing stringent safety protocols and forward–thinking planning. Pahl says you can start planning at home by keeping an open line of communication like she does with her own family.
“Keep the conversation going,” she said. “Assess and prioritize needs, whether it be for children, elderly, pets, or medical. Make a family emergency plan, build a kit with basic emergency supplies, and secure your home. There are so many ways to prepare, it is just a matter of making the time for it now.”
To ensure 'Preparedness Starts at Home,' Pantexans should:
- Sign up for local emergency alerts
- Use weather radios during severe weather
- Prepare a kit for your family and pets including food, water, medications, flashlights, chargers,
identification, and important documents - Keep vehicles fueled and supplied
- Make an emergency contact list
- Practice your plan
When employees are prepared for emergencies on– or off–site, it strengthens their ability to continue Pantex's vital national security mission. Whether a severe weather event, a power outage, or any unexpected disruption, strengthening employee response at home reinforces safety at the site.
“It's important for people to prepare for a range of emergencies that could impact their safety — no matter the location or circumstances,” Pahl said. “Threats, hazards, and risks can differ depending on location and proximity of hazards. For instance, the Texas Panhandle doesn't typically experience earthquakes, hurricanes, or tsunamis. It's more probable for us to experience a wildfire, tornado, and flash flooding, so those are the situations we need to be prepared for.”
Don't wait until the middle of the night in your dreams to think about getting ready. Preparation is key to continuity and the safety and wellbeing of Pantexans. Before stocking up your vehicle with supplies, make sure not to include prohibited items. Pantexans are also encouraged to visit ready.gov to learn emergency preparation tips to keep yourself, your family, and your community safe.
Saving lives one drop at a time
The Coffee Memorial Blood Center mobile donation bus parked at the JCDC.
Did you know someone in the United States needs blood every two seconds? The red fluid that pumps through us all can save up to three lives with just one blood donation.
Part of the company Our Blood Institute out of Oklahoma, Coffee Memorial Blood Center in Amarillo provides blood to all the major hospitals in the Texas Panhandle region. With such a vast area covered, the need for blood donors is constant.
Four Pantexans are being credited with saving approximately 1,130 lives with the blood donations they have given to Coffee Memorial Blood Center. Monty Schoenhals, Terral Walker, Steve Lasher, and Jeff Roberts are the top four lifetime blood donors at Pantex.
Upon finding out they were among the top donors at the plant, all four Pantexans were surprised to hear the news.
“Honestly, it's surprising with all the folks that give consistently,” said Jeff Roberts, facility operations manager. “However, I'm glad to know I'm helping out someone in need. I've known multiple people that, if it weren't for the blood supply, they'd not be here today. It feels good that I'm truly saving a life.”
All four donors have been giving for more than 20 years each.
“My whole life has been dedicated to helping other people,” said Pantex Fire Prevention Captain Steve Lasher. “When I worked shifts, I would give every single time I was eligible. Every 56 days, I was there giving blood.”
Having the Coffee Memorial mobile bus come to Pantex makes it more convenient for Pantexans to give.
“I don't know if I would stay on my rotation if I had to go to the center because I would have to miss work,” explained Environmental Scientist Monty Schoenhals. “By coming to the site, they get a lot more donors than they would otherwise.”
For Schoenhals, giving has a personal connection.
“We had a son born back in 1984 who needed a lot of blood when he was born,” Schoenhals said. “I have a rare blood type where my blood can be used for newborns. I feel good to be able to contribute to the welfare of people.”
Lasher also has this rare blood type and is proud to know his blood is also able to help newborns.
The idea of a needle being stuck in your arm with blood being pumped out can make some people nervous and hesitant to donate. All four Pantexans encourage first-time donors to just give it a chance.
“The staff at Coffee Memorial are highly trained and right there with you the whole time,” said Terral Walker, high explosives manufacturing engineering tech. “You've got this!”
Contributing to the larger community, such as giving blood, is part of being a Pantex Citizen.
“Pantexans are always up for volunteering their time,” Roberts said. “Individually, our lives get busy so Pantex orchestrating opportunities makes it easier to find instances to help out.”
For information about Coffee Memorial Blood Center or to set up an appointment to give, visit their website: https://ourbloodinstitues.org/where/donor-centers/coffee-memorial-blood-center/