AUGUSTA, ME (08/04/2012)(readMedia)--
For Staff Sgt. Amie Kennedy, supply is more than just managing inventory and moving boxes. "I try to prioritize, soldiers always come first, and if you don't forget that, you're doing a good job," said Kennedy, headquarters and headquarters detachment supply sergeant for the Maine Army National Guard Joint Force Headquarters in Augusta.
After helping to improve the offices yearly unit operations inspection score from 82 percent last year, to 99 percent this year, Kennedy was encouraged to submit the unit's packet for consideration for the 2012 Supply Excellence Award. Kennedy and her office staff of two other soldiers were picked from units across Region one to receive the award for unit-level supply operations by the award's selection board. Region one includes units from all of New England, New York and New Jersey.
"We're different because we support the state," said Kennedy. The office supports approximately 180 soldiers, as well as five state-level units, such as Medical Command and Recruiting and Retention. "We also support training sites," she said.
"My favorite part is getting the soldiers what they need, I like to ensure that they are happy," said Kennedy. "That goes a long way when they are in a field environment, maybe they're a little miserable, at least you can give them the stuff to maybe make their lives a little easier."
As a 92Y, or Unit Supply Specialist, Kennedy says she would definitely choose this job again if she was given the choice. "This is the job I picked when I first came in." When she walked into the recruiter's office, Kennedy says she told the recruiter "I think I want to issue uniforms." About a half-hour later Kennedy says she was offered a supply clerk job with the 286thCombat Support Battalion.
Kennedy and her office are one of two Maine units receiving the award for their respective categories. Going a step further into the national spotlight, the two units will be inspected in-person by representatives of the Army and the National Guard Bureau for a national-level supply award later this year.