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Spreading the word for career field important to contracting officer

  • Published
  • By Brandice J. Armstrong
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Even though he's "just" an Air Force contracting officer, Capt. Jamey Hartsel and his team contributed greatly to the deployed mission in Iraq. It's important to him to get the story out on the often overlooked contributions of his career field.

"You don't hear a lot of stories about the Air Force [being deployed] out there and you never hear of stories of contracting officers out there making the mission occur," he said.
In September 2008, the 727th Aircraft Sustainment Group contracting officer deployed to Iraq. During his six-month assignment, Captain Hartsel led a team that ensured contractors met their obligations. Many of which included securing outposts, confirming the safety of coalition units and Iraqi soldiers at 13 forward-operating bases and 27 training camps.

"There were a lot of us that were out there putting ourselves in harm's way and getting to the sites was not easy. Moving around in Iraq is risky," Captain Hartsel said. A team leader for the Defense Contract Management Agency's Multi-National Security Transition Command in Central Iraq, Captain Hartsel said his job often demanded the team of 25 members travel to Iraqi cities and military bases to complete their mission.

"Contract oversight is making sure the contractors live up to their obligations. It is vitally important for the security and safety of our guys," the captain said. "The only way to do that is to go to the site and make sure they're doing what they're supposed to be doing. You can't manage that from a desk."

In addition to ensuring security measures, Captain Hartsel's team also helped the Iraqi people build schools and improve their infrastructure.

"In my opinion," said Capt. Dennis McCullough, a fellow 727th ACSG contracting officer, "[Jamey] is a living example of the Air Force core values. I have had the opportunity to spend time with Jamey, on and off duty, and I have experienced firsthand his work ethic and commitment to family and the Air Force."

Captain Hartsel said he hopes attention is put on the people serving overseas versus him receiving accolades. To him, it's the mission that's important, and praise just happens.

"People 'end up' with the opportunities for valor, it's not like they're out looking for it," he said. "I'd hope that everything still stays for our people over there, because every day we go on those missions, there's an opportunity for something to happen."

Captain Hartsel enlisted in the Air Force in 1990. After reaching the technical sergeant rank, he went to officer training school and was commissioned. The Arkansas native has been deployed four times, but only once as an officer.