A professional development success story--a work in progress!

On Monday, April 7, 2003, an enthusiastic ASMC member, Ms. Lisa Smith, from Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, North Carolina, showed up at ASMC National Headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, w take all 3 modules of the CDFM examination in one long sitting. And she passed! She was so excited and happy that everyone in sight got a hug.

Her enthusiasm for her career and its attendant professional development requirements is infectious. She is indeed an excellent role model for our upwardly mobile members and has been willing to make short-term sacrifices for longer-term career satisfaction. Here, in her words, is her story to date.

I developed a real interest in accounting as a budget analyst in 1995 while working with Marine Corps Community Services (formerly known as Morale, Welfare, and Recreation) in Okinawa, Japan, as an NF-03. I began taking college courses through the University of Maryland at night to further my knowledge and education in this very demanding field. Mosi of my Navy financial management training was completed through self-study while working full-time and for a time as a single parent. During this time my position was converted to a GS-09 and the door opened for federal service.

In 1998 I began a position as an accounting technician at Naval hit Station, Meridian, Mississippi. While working there, I was moved to a vacant budget analyst position and was fortunate enough to attend Defense Financial Management Training in November 2000. During this time I was mentored extensively by Ms. Tommie Dees, a senior budget analyst. Her inspiration and leadership motivated me to make continuing education a crucial part of my professional development.

In March 2001 I was offered a position as a GS-11 budget analyst with the Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA), in Corpus Christi, Texas. After much deliberation I departed from my family for what turned out to be a 14-month separation. My husband and I believe that a long-term plan for career development is necessary, and mobility is very important for experience and advancement. By making short-term sacrifices, long-term gains have proven to be rewarding. I also think a multi-service background with the Navy and Marine Corps has made a tremendous impact on my education and skills.

Mr. Wyn Worthen, CNATRA comptroller, challenged me to excel and encouraged me to set high goals with focus and determination. I must thank my current mentor at MCABE, Ms. Kathy Moss, for the outstanding support and belief in my abilities that led to my graduation from the Professional Military Comptroller School (PMCS) in February 2003.

I never lost focus on taking the Certified Defense Financial Manager exam, and upon completion of PMCS, I was determined to take the exam before the summer of 2003. Presented with the opportunity to take the exam in April while my husband was deployed, I remembered his saying over and over, "Never give up; the greatest risk is not taking one." It was then that I knew I was going to go for it and take the entire exam series in one day. It was my shot to take--and I was taking it.

I feel truly blessed to have worked for such fine leaders such as Ms. Dees, Mr. Worthen, and Ms. Moss. They have been an inspiration, and I am reminded time and again that we do not go through life alone. If not for their faith and foresight in my abilities as a potential leader, I would not be where I am today.

Lisa Smith's dedication to her career and personal professional development is exemplary, and the staff at ASMC National Headquarters wishes her all the best in the future. She and her husband, Michael, a Marine Corps CW3, who collaborated with her on this article, are looking forward to being reunited in the near future as hostilities end.