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Blackanthem Military News
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Last Updated:
Sep 6, 2008 - 11:54:07 AM |
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Blackanthem Military News
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| Lt. Col. Manuel I. Flores takes a break from the war to pose for a picture with U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney. LTC Flores is a Contracting Liaison Officer for the 316th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) in Balad, Iraq. |
LSA ANACONDA, Iraq - For Atlanta, Ga., resident, Manuel I. Flores, completing the Sustaining Base Leadership and Management Program offered by the Army Management Staff College at Fort Belvoir, Va., proved to be a combat multiplier, which afforded him a competitive edge. Flores, an Army Reserve lieutenant colonel currently assigned as a contracting liaison officer for the 316th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) in Balad, Iraq, attended the 12-week course to hone his leadership, management, and understanding of base sustainment and operations.
"I wanted to gain a better awareness of how the Army works as well as improve my leadership and management skills," said Flores. "The Army is a learning organization and I want to glean as much knowledge as I can to better myself and those I may supervise, manage, or lead," he further stated.
Flores attended the course as a civilian. He, like some of his classmates, utilized the SBLM training to sharpen his leadership skills in the Army Reserve. As a member of the U.S. Army Forces Command headquartered in Atlanta, Flores quickly put into practice the instruction taught at his unit as well as when he mobilized to support Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita cleanup efforts. He is now employing his training throughout the footprint of Iraq.
"As the senior logistics contracting liaison officer for the 316th ESC, I am responsible for developing and maintaining an effective contracting management office supporting over 20,000 servicemembers and managing over 200 million dollars in contracts," said Flores.
Each day I apply the skills I learned at SBLM to develop a highly effective network between the Joint Contracting Command Iraq, 316th ESC units, the Defense Contracting Management Agency and ten Regional Contracting Centers located throughout Iraq. This is critical to me accomplishing my tasks efficiently, effectively and expeditiously," he added.
Based out of Balad, in the heart of the Sunni Triangle, about 68 miles north of Baghdad, Flores frequently travels throughout the country providing "eyes-on" and "hands-on" analysis of contracts. He even provides statistical analysis on all aspects of the contract management lifecycle.
"I always try to use the leadership and briefing skills I learned at SBLM, the Command and General Staff College, and other military schools to thoroughly evaluate the process and make sound recommendations to a unit's leadership to help them focus their limited resources on the most critical requirements, said Flores.
Flores' military bearing, presence, and concern are the enablers, which assist those not familiar with contracting procedures from going awry according to Master Sgt. Kaylor C. Beal, the senior enlisted leader of the 316th ESC's resource management (G8) directorate. "Lt. Col. Flores is a true mentor and consummate professional. His dedication to mission accomplishment, untiring devotion to duty, and take charge attitude ensured that personnel of our command always had the needed supplies and services provided through direct contracting," she also remarked.
Not one to rest on his numerous accolades, Flores continues to work around the clock with passion and intensity to help sustainment the victory for America's deployed military forces. Although his tour of duty will be ending in late June of this year, Flores works as if each day is the first day on the job.
Editor's Note: Maj. Christopher E. West is the chief of public affairs for the 316th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) based out of Coraopolis, Pa. The unit is near completion of its yearlong tour of duty in Balad, Iraq.
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