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Archive: 2025
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  • June

    USACE Employee Awarded for Adding Value to Projects

    Dale Hartmann, works for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Middle East District, received the 2025 Distinguished Service in Government Award for his advocacy of value engineering (VE). Hartmann’s leadership in the Center of Standardization for Nonpermanent Facilities (COS) resulted in over $20 million in savings, demonstrating the impact of VE in optimizing performance and resources through innovative solutions.
  • May

    Middle East District Employees Answer the “Essayons” Call

    Although the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Middle East District primarily supports military construction in the Middle East, several employees recently volunteered to assist with domestic disaster response missions, including wildfires in Hawaii and California and flooding in North Carolina. Guided by the Corps motto, Essayons—“Let Us Try”—team members provided critical support ranging from contracting and quality assurance to GIS mapping. Their contributions helped restore devastated communities and gave employees a deeper connection to USACE’s broader mission. From rebuilding schools and homes to offering comfort to survivors, each volunteer made a lasting impact during a time of crisis.
  • April

    From Marine to Firefighter: Ken Kajihiro’s Commitment to Service

    Ken Kajihiro, a former U.S. Marine and current attorney with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, balances his demanding legal career with volunteer firefighting in Winchester, Virginia. Driven by a lifelong commitment to service, he completed rigorous fire academy training to serve on the front lines, finding renewed purpose and camaraderie through community service.
  • Efficiency Drives New Offboarding Process at the Middle East District

    A conversation between two colleagues at the Middle East District led to the creation of an innovative online offboarding system. Mary Beth Murray and Marcie Piper developed the tool in mid-2024 using SharePoint and Power Automate to replace outdated, inefficient processes. Their collaboration improved accountability, reduced risk, and streamlined employee departures. The system’s success highlights how creative problem-solving and teamwork can drive impactful change across an organization.
  • USACE Project Oversight Part Art Part Science

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Middle East District focuses on ensuring its projects are led by a healthy Project Delivery Team (PDT), which consists of trained professionals, is mission-focused, and demonstrates innovation and adaptability. Success is assessed through both hard data, such as schedules and budgets, and softer factors like communication and stakeholder management. Improvements in project quality have been achieved through the implementation of data quality review boards. COL Christopher Klein emphasizes the importance of leadership involvement, noting that sometimes saying "no" is necessary to ensure a successful, realistic project outcome rather than one that is expedited.
  • February

    USACE Safety Program Made Me a True Believer

    In my 28-year federal career, first as an active-duty Air Force officer and then a Department of