MITRE Engineer Returns Home to Continue Serving His Country
Ronny Robertson
September 2012
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Communications engineer Ronny Robertson came to MITRE's Fort Gordon, Ga. site in 2011. |
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As Ronny Robertson describes it, coming to MITRE's Fort Gordon site was more than a good job opportunity—it was a chance to return to the place he and his family call home.
Robertson, an information systems engineer, is the sole employee at the site where he works with his sponsor, the Army's 7th Signal Command. "I provide guidance and technical solutions for high-priority issues for my sponsor, who in turn provides network capabilities to U.S. military forces throughout the Western Hemisphere."
The Army 7th Signal Command (Theater) is based at Fort Gordon and is part of the Army's Network Enterprise Technology Command (NETCOM), which is based at Fort Huachuca, Ariz. MITRE maintains sites at both locations, so staff can work closely with our sponsors to achieve the communication capabilities their missions require.
Upgrading the Army's Communication Infrastructure
Robertson has primarily supported two communications projects at Fort Gordon—the DoD Unified Capabilities (UC) and the Army's Enterprise Service Desk (ESD) implementations. As a former Army Signal Officer, he has extensive knowledge of the Army's communications infrastructure and years of project and personnel management experience. These factors make him ideally suited for his role in the modernization of these systems.
"The DoD UC implementation project took advantage of current technology that allows voice, video, and data over an IP-based system," he says. "The goal was to transition to a UC environment that would both reduce the cost and increase efficiencies throughout the DoD. I wrote a high-level document that contained specific guidance for the Army to initiate the development of its operational framework and transition plan. It's now part of the Army's concept of operations."
MITRE's Fort Gordon, Ga., site
Established in 2009 and sponsored by U.S. Army's 7th Signal Command, MITRE's Fort Gordon site provides signal and IT services to the Army. Fort Gordon is home of the Signal Center of Excellence and conducts the majority of training for all Army communicators. |
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His other primary project—the ESD implementation—developed procedures for quickly resolving IT issues and restoring network and IT services to users. The ESD will enable the 7th Signal Command to integrate and consolidate disparate IT help desks, service desks, and call centers, resulting in better service at lower cost.
"Much of my recent work has focused on developing specific recommendations for refining ESD procedures," he says. "We're helping the IT staff to respond more efficiently and resolve service issues faster."
Since he is co-located at the site with the sponsor, he also acts as conduit for information to and from MITRE. "As MITRE's sole representative to 7th Signal Command, I am a portal to the company for advice based on our past and present work."
Not surprisingly, Robertson's background helps him have a clear understanding of what his sponsor needs from MITRE. "Our suite of collaboration tools allows me to stay in touch with my colleagues so I can give my department full situational awareness of the sponsor's wants, needs, and perceptions. I think it's key to have a trusted relationship with the sponsor. I believe you accomplish this by providing value to them—giving concise and thoughtful recommendations that provide clarity to difficult decisions."
Going Home
Moving to Fort Gordon and to the MITRE site has been beneficial on a number of levels. "Albeit out of uniform and in a different capacity, working here gives me the opportunity to still serve my country. MITRE encourages me to give unbiased advice on what is in the best interest of the citizens of the United States. I can't fathom looking into the eye of a government official and giving an answer that was based on profit margins."
Knowing his work has a positive impact is a factor as well. "You do meaningful work that makes a difference on a grand scale. I can think of no better job satisfaction than to work on a project that improves the lives of the men and women who serve our country."
Returning to his roots makes a difference too. "I have the opportunity to raise my children among family," he says. "Both my wife and I were born and raised in this area. Plus, my job at MITRE gives me a tremendous quality of work-life balance. I really appreciate the time I get to spend with my wife and four children."
—by Kay M. Upham
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