Bosses recognize administrative professionals during lunch

By Katherine Rosario
1st Inf. Div. Post

Bosses treated their administrators to lunch during administrative professional’s day April 27 at Riley’s Conference Center.
Nita Miller, chief of staff, Directorate of Logistics, said her job is challenging, but she enjoys it because every day is different.
“It is nice that they recognize us and realize that we do other things aside from answering phones and receiving people,” she said.
Miller has worked for DOL for nine years and has worked at Fort Riley in other capacities for 32 years.
“This is the best job in my whole career, and I feel comfortable and appreciated here,” she said. “They give me a task and don’t have to worry about it because they know I will take care of it and get the job done.”
Miller handles ordering supplies for the office, taking notes at meetings, dispersing important information to the staff and manages calendars and appointments.
“I also volunteer to help with the organizational days and annual holiday party,” she said.
Currently, Miller is working toward completing an updated DOL handbook for new employees.
“I’m also the photographer for DOL and take pictures of all the staff to put up in the bulletin board, and (I) created a history book of all our activities and awards,” she said.
Miller also contributes to Fort Riley’s mission by processing temporary duty packets for military units overseas and following them through from receiving the requests to helping people fill out vouchers.
Tasha Jones, administrative assistant to the Garrison Safety Office, helps manage the office environment, making sure the staff and the boss work cohesively.
“I have to know a little about what everyone is doing in case I need to fill in as help,” she said. “This job requires you to manage a lot of little moving parts.”
Jones started working at the safety office in 2002 and came from outside the system where administrative work was different, she said.
“Here we deal with civilians and Soldiers, but being an Army brat, I was used to it,” she said. “You are never off duty in this type of environment because of the nature of our work.”
The most challenging part of her job, she said, is remembering to keep her stress level and the stress level of the office down during hectic days.
“Even though we’re in a business atmosphere, it helps to relax for a few minutes,” she said. “I have a really good boss, and he is very supportive.”
Her job contributes to the readiness of the directorate because she helps them gather information and distribute it out to the installation, she said.
“My work is very rewarding, and I love the people I work with,” Jones said. “We know how to have fun and get the job done.”
Rick Hearron, Garrison Safety Office installation safety manager, said his office would not run as efficiently if it weren’t for Jones.
“She is my right arm,” he said. “She is professional and efficient.”
He does not approve paperwork, he said, unless Jones looks over it first.
“I trust her opinions and corrections,” he said. “I appreciate everything she does for me and Fort Riley and the Army.”

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