News

NNSA Associate Administrator and Chief for the Office of Defense Nuclear Security Lewis "Lew" Monroe, center, was at Pantex to celebrate NNSA Security Professional of the Year Timothy Alvarado, right, and Contractor Security Professional of the Year Steven Zuniga Thursday, July 20, 2023

The Pantex Plant and the Y-12 National Security Complex, which are managed and operated by Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS), along with the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Production Office (NPO), were honored with all four of the annual NNSA security awards. The following personnel and team were honored:

• Timothy Alvarado, NPO (Pantex) – NNSA Bradley A. Peterson Federal Security Professional of the Year;
• Steven Zuniga, CNS (Pantex) – NNSA Bradley A. Peterson Contractor Security Professional of the Year;
• Major Courtney Coker, CNS (Y-12) Safeguards and Security – NNSA Security Manager of the Year; and
• Y-12 Perimeter Intrusion Detection System (PIDS) Team – NNSA Security Team of the Year.

NNSA Associate Administrator and Chief for the Office of Defense Nuclear Security (DNS) Lewis “Lew” Monroe told those assembled at an awards ceremony that he appreciated being where the work was getting done. “You are knocking it out the park,” he said. “There’s no way DNS would have the success it does without what you do every day.”

“This is a very well-deserved honor and recognition for our CNS and NPO security professionals who work to protect our vital national security assets at both the Pantex Plant and Y-12,” said Teresa Robbins, NPO manager. “It’s great to take some time to celebrate the exceptional work you perform protecting this site.”

“I am so proud of the security teams at both sites,” said Kristy McWilliams, CNS Vice President of Safeguards, Security, and Emergency Services. “The individuals honored with these awards are quite simply the best of the best and I congratulate each and every one of them. Their leadership, hard work, professionalism, and willingness to work as a cohesive team are to be commended.”

NNSA Associate Administrator and Chief for the Office of Defense Nuclear Security Lewis "Lew" Monroe, left, was at Pantex to celebrate NNSA Security Professional of the Year Steven Zuniga Thursday, July 20, 2023. Pictured left to right are Lew Monroe, Kristy McWilliams, Vice President, Safeguards, Security and Emergency Services, Steve Zuniga, Timothy Alvarado, Roxanne VanVeghten, Assistant Manager, Safeguards and Security, and Jason Armstrong, NPO Manager, Pantex.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC operates the Pantex Plant, located in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. Bechtel National, Inc. is the lead member of CNS; minority members include Leidos, Inc.; ATK Launch Systems, LLC; and SOC LLC. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on performance excellence and the imperatives of safety, security, zero defects, and delivery as promised.

For more information on each site, visit www.pantex.energy.gov or www.y12.doe.gov. Follow Pantex on Facebook, X or LinkedIn. Follow Y-12 on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

CONTACT
Steve Myers
Communications
Office (806) 573.0490
Cell (806) 236.2826

Stephen.Myers@pantex.doe.gov

Take 5 minutes to learn about Russell Daniel, Project Management senior director at Pantex. All views and opinions are the employee’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of CNS.

Russell Daniel, senior director for Pantex Project Management, said the people are what he missed most about the Texas Panhandle.

“After 15 different moves, and no matter where I went – I can’t find a better group of people than those in the Panhandle,” Daniel said.

The Tulia, Texas, native graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and served 10 years in the U.S. Marine Corps.

He amassed a wealth of experience from across the Department of Energy on projects in Hanford, Washington, and at the Savannah River Site. He also spent time at Pantex leading Engineering and Facility and Design Engineering in the early 2000s.

Now back at Pantex for a second time, Daniel says leading with a focus on the people is driving mission success.

“From my time in the Marine Corps and in positions across the DOE complex, I know it is critical for leaders to support their teams and allow them to make decisions and take actions to execute the work,” Daniel said.

He and the Project Management team are transforming the landscape of the Pantex site through a multimillion-dollar portfolio of new construction and recapitalization projects.

How does patriotism factor into your life? Did your level of patriotism change after working at Pantex?
Patriotism and the need to do what was required for my country was always there. Coming to Pantex the first time gave me a chance to see how the site supports the overall national security mission. Returning to Pantex is truly the ability to get back to what are we doing to protect the United States and provide overall security that ties back to the early days I had in the military.

What one thing would your coworkers be surprised to know about you?
For the last seven years, I have run the chains for the U.S. Navy home football games including the Army-Navy game every other year. My Naval Academy roommate was part of the chain gang when I moved to Virginia, and he asked me to join the chain gang. It’s a neat spot to watch the game, and I only had one major mistake on national TV.

Ambulance loaned to replace city’s tornado-damaged vehicle

Members of the Pantex Fire Department hand over the keys to the loaned ambulance to the City of Perryton.

AMARILLO, Texas – On June 15th, the town of Perryton was hit by an EF-3 tornado, killing three people, injuring more than 120 residents, and causing millions of dollars in damage to homes and local businesses, including the Perryton Fire Department/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) station.

That night, Pantex received a call from Carson County officials, asking if emergency assistance could be sent to Perryton.

“We received the request a few hours after the tornado had hit,” said Pantex Fire Chief Mike Brock. “Even though Perryton is not in our mutual aid area, the request came from one of our mutual aid partners, and we responded with an ambulance. If able, we are always happy to assist when needed in any of our Panhandle area communities.”

Recently, Pantex emergency officials learned that Perryton’s tornado-damaged ambulance, is considered unusable. So, Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS) reached out to the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Production Office (NPO), to determine if additional assistance for Perryton could be provided.

The Pantex ambulance dispatched to Perryton the night of the tornado had just replaced an older ambulance, which was scheduled to be excessed. CNS and NPO agreed to loan Perryton the excessed ambulance for up to a year through an Agreement in Principle with the state of Texas.

“Pantex began sending help the night of the tornado and continued by sending a damage assessment team to assist in the following days,” said Jason Armstrong, NNSA Production Office Pantex Manager. “When the question was raised about further assistance by getting an ambulance to them, everyone involved--from headquarters to the firefighters who dropped the ambulance off -- never wavered in their commitment to help out neighbors across the region.”

The formal paperwork was completed and transfer of the loaned ambulance took place on June 28.

A Pantex ambulance has been loaned to Perryton to assist its EMS team following the June 15 tornado.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC operates the Pantex Plant, located in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. Bechtel National, Inc. is the lead member of CNS; minority members include Leidos, Inc.; ATK Launch Systems, LLC; and SOC LLC. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on performance excellence and the imperatives of safety, security, zero defects, and delivery as promised.

For more information on each site, visit www.pantex.energy.gov or www.y12.doe.gov. Follow Pantex on Facebook, X or LinkedIn. Follow Y-12 on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

CONTACT
Steve Myers
Communications
Office (806) 573.0490
Cell (806) 236.2826

Stephen.Myers@pantex.doe.gov

Pantex was recently honored with the Business and Leadership Council Engagement Award from Amarillo College (AC). This award was in recognition of Pantex’s diligent efforts over the past year to support a wide range of AC's Business and Leadership Councils (BLC), including manufacturing, computer information systems, engineering and physics, and chemistry.

“We are thrilled to honor Pantex with the prestigious Business and Leadership Council Engagement Award,” said Ryan Francis, Amarillo College Workforce Innovation Network coordinator. “This esteemed recognition is a testament to Pantex's active participation and unwavering commitment to engagement, as evidenced through their consistent attendance, outstanding representation at various BLCs, in addition to their valuable class visits.”

Amarillo College is ranked as the #1 college in the nation by the Aspen Institute, is a significant supplier of talent at Pantex, and the leader in university transfers for the Panhandle.

“BLCs present a vital opportunity for Pantex leadership to provide guidance and feedback to AC's programs and curriculum so that they are meeting industry needs,” said Zuleyma Carruba-Rogel, Pantex Educational Partnerships & Talent Pipeline Development recruiter.

Over the past year, Pantex has increased collaboration with AC through these BLCs to help AC design beneficial programs for students that prepare students to fill real needs at Pantex, other Nuclear Security Enterprise sites, and similar industries. Key Pantex organizations that supported the program include Operations, Mission Engineering, Infrastructure, High Explosives, and Information Solutions and Services.

“AC recognized our efforts to support and influence their programs, in addition to a range of info sessions, career fair support, classroom visits, and program events such as women in manufacturing, and new student orientation,” said Carruba-Rogel. “We certainly appreciate this recognition and look forward to our continued partnership and support.”

Amarillo, Texas — The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Office of Infrastructure recently recognized seven teams from the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas and the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The teams, made up of hundreds of employees from the NNSA Production Office (NPO) and Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS), were honored with Excellence Awards for outstanding accomplishments during Fiscal Year 2022.

“The work done by these teams, and those who support them, will further the NNSA mission for years to come,” NPO Manager Teresa Robbins said. “Their commitment to excellence and creative solutions make them among the best in the Nuclear Security Enterprise.”

From streamlining routine maintenance tasks to installing essential machines for operations and finding environmentally friendly solutions, the winning teams’ work impacts day-to-day infrastructure tasks integral to serving the nation.

“Safety, a reliable infrastructure, and efficient operations are the heartbeat of our sites,” CNS President and CEO Rich Tighe said. “These award-winning projects highlight the outstanding dedication to the safe modernization of our infrastructure and ultimately to our important national security mission.”

At Pantex, three teams were recognized with awards. One was honored for completing a planned site electrical outage with a scope impacting the largest number of production facilities and personnel the plant has ever undertaken. Another team was recognized for replacing three high-risk chillers to provide a better work environment for critical mission support areas.

The third award at Pantex went to the High Explosives Science and Engineering project construction team, worked together with an environmental project team to relocate 15,000 cubic yards of excess soil on site, saving approximately 70,000 heavy truck miles, reducing fuel consumption by 12,500 gallons and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by about 130 tons.

At Y-12, four groups were recognized. One team removed a contaminated legacy building without impacting the environment or putting people at risk. The team’s efforts made way for continuing innovation and construction on-site. Another team earned accolades for shrinking a maintenance backlog by 66%, ensuring continued employee safety. Additional teams recognized at Y-12 included one that proactively planned for climate change and another that successfully completed a machine maintenance program despite multiple supply chain issues.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC operates the Pantex Plant, located in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. Bechtel National, Inc. is the lead member of CNS; minority members include Leidos, Inc.; ATK Launch Systems, LLC; and SOC LLC. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on performance excellence and the imperatives of safety, security, zero defects, and delivery as promised.

For more information on each site, visit www.pantex.energy.gov or www.y12.doe.gov. Follow Pantex on Facebook, X or LinkedIn. Follow Y-12 on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

CONTACT
Steve Myers
Communications
Office (806) 573.0490
Cell (806) 236.2826

Stephen.Myers@pantex.doe.gov

Pantex NA-90 Award Recipients

This Pantex High Explosives Science and Engineering project team relocated 15,000 cubic yards of excess soil on site, saving fuel and carbon dioxide emissions.

This group from Pantex replaced three high-risk chillers to provide a better work environment for critical mission support areas.

This Pantex group undertook the largest planned electrical site outage impacting the largest number of production facilities.

To many CNS employees, the Sandia Weapon Intern Program, like much of the work at Pantex and Y-12, is shrouded in secrecy. From the name alone the uninformed could be forgiven for assuming the program is a pathway for aspiring young people into the United States’ nuclear weapons complex.

Yet, while WIP affords its alumni no end of career-advancement opportunities, the word “intern” scarcely captures even a portion of the reality of this yearlong adventure.

“The Weapon Intern Program, from my perspective, [is] more of a deep dive into the enterprise and almost a graduate-level course on the complex business we do,” said Josh G.

In short, this 11-month internship is among the Nuclear Security Enterprise’s best-kept secrets.

“I had heard about this program through several sources and knew a few people in my department who had participated in the past,” said Alaina H., a 2023 Pantex WIP participant. “I was really interested in the opportunity to visit the other sites that contribute to our nuclear deterrence and learn from [subject matter experts] across the complex. In particular, I was interested in visiting the [Department of Defense] sites to see where the finished product ends up and to learn about potential use cases and what factors the navy and air force care about most in the weapon designs.”

WIP was created in 1998 to accelerate learning by blending classroom and multimedia-based instruction from more than 250 SMEs. Participants complete both individual and team research projects, visit numerous NNSA sites, and have access to mentors who provide a direct link between the complex’s past, present, and future.

It’s an intriguing notion, but especially given everything facing today’s enterprise, why create a program that takes employees away from their jobs nearly an entire year? According to NPO's Yessica F., a Nuclear Explosives Safety program manager and Howard’s peer in the 2023 program, the answer lies at the crossroads of past, present, and future.

“Sandia’s responsibility associated with its nuclear weapons’ mission requires the continuing transfer of decades of nuclear weapon-related knowledge and experience to new generations of nuclear weaponeers,” she said.

Duty. Honor. Country. It is a theme in David Turner’s life. From achieving Eagle Scout status as a young man to a 35-year military career concluding as a highly decorated retired brigadier general, Turner’s goals often derive from his desire to lead and serve.

“I feel as if I’m repeating that pattern in the work I’m now doing,” said Turner, who recently assumed the job of Vice President of Operations Support. “The mission we do for our country is so critical. It’s an honor for me to be a part of it.”

But Turner readily admits that he was not always the mastermind of his own destiny. Charting the course of his life has often involved the advice of mentors and teachers who saw something in him that he did not.

“You want to align yourself with people who have an interest in you,” he said. “They can see things in you that you may not and help you maximize whatever that may be.”

Who influenced you most in your life?
My grandmother was, without a doubt, a huge influence in my life. She was my Yoda. She was incredibly knowledgeable about so many things in life. I also had two mentors in my military career that were instrumental in guiding me. They still are involved in my life, and I continue to value their input.

What advice would you give to young people who don’t know exactly what they want to do?
Be open to advice and suggestion. I didn’t even know what an Eagle Scout was, but my best friend’s mother told me I would be one. I went home and looked it up, and I decided that I actually would become an Eagle Scout. I not only made Eagle Scout, but I held every possible leadership level in the Boy Scouts. I have never regretted listening to that suggestion. I also believe the Science, Technical, Engineering, and Mathematical (STEM) programs offer so many ways to learn about potential futures

CNS completes vertical construction of major line item project

AMARILLO, Texas – Consolidated Nuclear Security recently completed “topping out” the High Explosives Science and Engineering (HESE) facility at Pantex. Topping out was achieved as the construction crew placed the final steel beam on the Technology Development and Deployment Lab, one of three structures for the 72,762-square-foot complex.

“It is exciting to watch this vital facility take shape,” Pantex Senior Director for Project Management Russell Daniel said. “Our project team, in partnership with the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and our construction subcontractor Hensel Phelps, has worked extremely hard to reach this milestone.”

A Congressional Line Item project, the HESE will replace 15 obsolete facilities at Pantex, the average age of which is 68 years old, and support the Pantex High Explosive (HE) Center of Excellence for Manufacturing mission for NNSA.

“Congratulations to the HESE construction project team for reaching the significant milestone of placing the final steel beam,” said Monty Cates, Explosive Technology Operations senior director. “The people in Explosives Technology Operations are committed to doing our part for the Pantex’s Global Security Mission. We appreciate all the hard work getting the project to this point, and are greatly encouraged by the progress on a facility that ensures the high explosives mission is sustained for the next generation. It is awesome to see a hopeful vision becoming a tangible reality.”

The HESE facility will provide laboratory space, classified and unclassified office and meeting areas, and a shower and change-out area for HE Operations personnel all in closer proximity to HE manufacturing operations at Pantex.

“This is part of our ongoing efforts to modernize Pantex and provide state-of-the-art amenities for our high explosives scientists and engineers.” said Colby Yeary, Pantex site manager. “The facility will qualify new HE and assess legacy HE returning from the nuclear weapons stockpile as well as help develop and sustain high-quality scientific staff; support computational and experimental capabilities; and support development of additional evaluation and diagnostic tools.”

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC operates the Pantex Plant, located in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. Bechtel National, Inc. is the lead member of CNS; minority members include Leidos, Inc.; ATK Launch Systems, LLC; and SOC LLC. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on performance excellence and the imperatives of safety, security, zero defects, and delivery as promised.

For more information on each site, visit www.pantex.energy.gov or www.y12.doe.gov. Follow Pantex on Facebook, X or LinkedIn. Follow Y-12 on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

CONTACT
Steve Myers
Communications
Office (806) 573.0490
Cell (806) 236.2826

Stephen.Myers@pantex.doe.gov

Pantexans arrive on-site to safe streets and sidewalks, even amid harsh Panhandle weather. Few stop to think about the men and women who report hours before them—and often stay many hours after they leave—to keep their work environment safe and well maintained.

Extreme weather is a familiar occurrence in the Texas Panhandle. Longtime Pantexan Harvey Bellamy has seen his fair share of storms and their aftermath, including National Guard snow rescues and severe windstorms that toppled buildings.

“Before our present hardened guard stations were built, we had temporary stations, basically portable buildings at the east and west gates,” he recalled. “During one severe-wind event, the west station was blown over–with a guard in it!”

These days, Pantexans arrive on-site to safe streets and sidewalks, even amid harsh Panhandle weather. Few stop to think about the men and women who report hours before them—and often stay many hours after they leave—to keep their work environment safe and well maintained. For the staff of Infrastructure’s Site Services team, going unnoticed is almost a badge of honor—a signal their job is correct and complete.

“We watch the weather every day,” said Quinton McNabb. “As things progress and it looks like it’s going to be a significant weather event, we make sure we have everything we need. Then, as it gets closer, we look at how many personnel we’re going to need.”

Much like their relative anonymity, advanced planning comes with the territory. Occasionally, however, the team has to adapt to evolving situations more quickly.

“Sometimes, you just have to jump on it because weather moves in so fast out here,” explained Irene Lewis, yard crew manager and one of about a dozen or so employees—about half the full team—gathered in an upstairs breakroom. “We had one storm when we used up our entire year’s worth of [ice-melt] product in one week! We got the plant ready at 1, 1:30 in the morning, and it just got covered in ice all over again.”

Lewis’ memory of that storm a few years ago perfectly highlights Site Services’ dedication to their colleagues and the Pantex mission.

“We came out Sunday morning to get ready and didn’t get to leave until Thursday,” she said.

Her colleague Kurt Cockrell nodded.

“People don’t know that we’re out here as long as we are, especially during the winter,” he said.

Voicing his agreement, Brad Johnson ticked off a list of items that must be attended to before shifts change during winter-weather events.

“We get our equipment ready and go prep the [plant] roads,” he said.

Paying special attention to intersections, turns, and sloping roads, Johnson said the team then turns to sidewalks, applying a sufficient covering of granular ice-melt.

As days lengthen and temperatures rise with spring’s approach, severe-storm season will soon follow. With those storms will come new challenges for these men and women, many of whom will maintain the condition of grassy areas and ditches, as well as address leaky roofs caused by the inevitable Texas-sized hail.

“Last summer, we all stood out here and watched our cars get completely pulverized,” recalled Lewis with a mix of both humor and lament.

It’s an event which draws wry chuckles now, but each staffer knows severe weather on the High Plains is no joking matter. On Labor Day weekend of 1967, a series of five tornadoes struck Pantex, destroying some 50 power poles, numerous ramps and roofs, and shattering an incredible number of vehicle and building windows. Strong wind storms again left devastating impacts on the site in 1969 and the 1983 event Bellamy remembered. Each incident left this group’s predecessors grateful for their safety but with huge messes to clean up.

Yet, for all their hard work, this is not a team that asks for attention or accolades. The pride of a job well done is thanks enough. They work hard in the day-to-day providing safe roads, digging trenches, and filling sand bags. When situations really escalate, they rise to the occasion. During wildfire season, the crew can be found cutting fire breaks, refilling the fire department’s grass rigs, or refueling fire trucks on the go.

Of course, there’s one thing this crew does wish employees would take to heart.

“Give us room to do our job, either walking or driving,” Cockrell said.

Lewis explained employees will, at times, crowd their heavy equipment, creating a potential hazard if the machine’s operator should need to back up.

“People on tractors have a problem with employees walking behind the equipment,” she said.

Drawing echoes from his peers, Travis Reed said it’s hard to watch other employees make careless decisions that frustrate hours of hard work.

“We spend hours and hours putting down ice melt, to watch people walk [in an untreated area], creating a hazard,” he said.

Much like the old postal creed involving snow, rain, and gloom of night, the men and women of Pantex Infrastructure stand ready both day and night to ensure their peers accomplish the mission, safely.

Infrastructure’s Site Services team provides safe roads, digs trenches, fills sand bags, and much more.

Chafin H. pulls double duty when it comes to serving others; he works at Pantex and is a lieutenant colonel (select) in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.

Once a month, Chafin H. loads up his Suburban and points the truck north toward Colorado Springs.

Chafin is a project manager in Construction Projects at Pantex, but he’s also a lieutenant colonel (select) in the U.S. Air Force Reserve at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs. And while the trip usually takes about 6 hours and covers more than 350 miles, there’s not a lot of distance between the two missions he performs: National security is the priority.

“For U.S. veterans, a career at Pantex or Y-12 is a continued service to our nation. At no other time in history has our national security been under greater threat. By working at Pantex or Y-12, we help ensure the reliability of our nation’s greatest deterrence against authoritarian aggression—the U.S. nuclear triad,” said Chafin, who has been an instructor pilot in the Air Force Reserve for 8 years after 9 years of active duty service.

Pantex and Y-12 often are sought-after vocations for those who have or continue to serve in our armed forces. It’s no surprise that 29% of the Pantex workforce and 18% of the Y-12 workforce have former military experience.

Like Chafin, more than 30 remain active in the armed forces, often through the reserves, serving double duty for the nation.

“Serving in the military and working a full-time civilian job is tough and very busy,” said U.S. Navy Reservist and Y-12 Quality Technical Procedures Specialist Scott Bruneel. “We are always on the go, but most of us wouldn’t change a thing. I am very proud to have the opportunity to wear our nation’s uniform, but we are just regular people who have had the opportunity to help our country the best way we know how.”

In recognition of Armed Forces Day, celebrated on May 20, some of our peers shared how their roles at the sites allow them to continue service to our nation.

“The operation and functionality of our sites have a direct impact on national security,” said Jonathan Craig, an engineer in the Facility Design Group at Y-12 and a first lieutenant in the Tennessee Air National Guard. “If the operational status of the facilities and the sites is impacted, then we may miss key objectives, which have second and third order effects.”

It is clear those who continue to serve in the armed forces while they work at Pantex or Y-12 do so to support protecting our nuclear deterrent.

“In the Army, I dealt with nuclear targeting, nuclear disablement, and counterproliferation,” said Jimmy Matthews, a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army, who is a SkillBridge intern working in Y-12 Product Manufacturing Engineering. “At CNS, I can support the other end of our nation’s nuclear deterrent and assist in the training of other DOD elements. I continue to serve because I enjoy the challenge, and I feel as though I am supporting my country.”

Bruneel thanked CNS and his colleagues for supporting those who remain active in the armed forces.

“Y-12 and CNS have been the most supporting companies I have worked for since transitioning from active duty to the reserves,” Bruneel said. “I know that my team always has my back when I have to be out on orders for the Navy. I’m able to complete my training and return seamlessly.”

Mike Fierley, a master sergeant with the U.S. Air Force National Guard and an instructor in Production Training, agrees the support of the company, coworkers, and even DOE are important.

“I have had several supervisors support me in my role to serve our nation. I’m also thankful to our DOE headquarters leaders who feel strongly in supporting us serving our nation,” Fierley said.

U.S. Army National Guard, Second Lieutenant Robert Mehlhorn and Y-12 Project Controls scheduler, added, “I definitely feel like working at Y-12 allows me to continue to serve the nation. When I come to work, I get to actually see America’s nuclear deterrent actively being used. From the history of the plant to the individual projects and individuals who make things happen, it is incredible to see.”

His peer Allison Derthick, a captain in the Tennessee Army National Guard and a Project Controls scheduling associate, said, “My role at Y-12 has allowed me to continue to serve the nation through providing the products to which we are interfacing with foreign nations. By doing so, I’m understanding their capabilities and threats they can bring to the world.”

How the service molded me
Through life experiences, we grow and become the people we are now. For these soldiers, their time in the armed forces helped mold them, preparing them for their careers in the military and at Pantex and Y-12.

“Being in the guard has helped me become more confident and able to think on the move,” Mehlhorn said. “A popular saying is that ‘No plan survives first contact,’ so being able to prepare contingencies and to think and adjust on the move has been a very valuable skill that the Army has taught me. I personally like to remind myself that I may not be able to control every situation, but I can always control how I react to it.”

“The National Guard helped me develop a positive self-improvement mentality and taught me to aim for excellence in all I do,” Craig said. “I learned to get comfortable with being uncomfortable and to bounce back when you hit a wall and keep moving forward. It changed the way I view the world and taught me to appreciate the small things. It has made me into a better leader, a better follower, and a better communicator. All these aspects turned me into a better friend, family member, and (soon to be) husband.”

Bruneel agreed his service made him better. “After graduating college, I still had not grown into the person I am today. The Navy helped me become a better husband, a better father, and a better person all around. It has helped me develop into a leader, as before I was just a follower.”

What civilians should know about those who serve
Whenever America has been at combat, there are those who are for and those against the conflict. Our active service members would like civilians to take the following advice.

“Military service can put a great deal of stress on service members and their family,” Matthews said. “Support the military during peacetime so we can display a strong conventional deterrent, which will hopefully let us avoid conflict. Support the military during combat deployments so we can return to peace. And of course, provide the reliable nuclear deterrent on which our national security strategy relies.”