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Travis Massa ’05, a native of Western Kentucky, was looking for a way to pay off his college loans and earn a living. Never did he imagine he would become an Army civilian and then volunteer to serve in Iraq.
After graduating with honors from Florida Institute of Technology, earning a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, Massa accepted a position with the Army Materiel Command (AMC) as an AMC Army Civilian Training, Education and Development System intern in the program of systems planning, research, development and engineering.
“I have to admit that I took the job not because I wanted to serve my country, but because I was a young college graduate itching for that first paycheck,” Massa said. However, it wasn’t long before Massa gained a new appreciation for what his chosen career path would mean to his country and him.
“On my first day as a DA civilian I soon understood my responsibility to fully support our soldiers as I took the oath of office. Today, it is a job which I take pride in and it is worth more than just a paycheck,” he said.
Massa works for the Maintenance Engineering Division in Corpus Christi, Texas, which is part of the Aviation Engineering Directorate of the Research Development and Engineering Center at Redstone Arsenal. His division is responsible for providing maintenance engineering support to aviation maintenance activities throughout the world. One of their largest customers is the Corpus Christi Army Depot which is the Aviation and Missile Lifecycle Management Command’s overhaul facility for Army helicopters and components.
“Our division also staffs liaison engineers throughout the U.S. and OCONUS (outside the continental U.S.) to provide direct engineering support to Army aviation units. Since 2003, our division has staffed an engineer in Balad, Iraq, to handle any request coming from Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
In 2006, the Maintenance Engineering Division created an assistant liaison engineer position and Massa volunteered. “On Sept. 11, 2006, I arrived at Camp Anaconda in Balad, Iraq, as the assistant liaison engineer. Exactly five years after the 9/11 attacks, I landed in a foreign country to help support the Global War on Terror. Never in my wildest imagination would I have thought that I would be in Iraq five years after those devastating attacks.
“As a civilian, it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to go to a war-stricken country and provide direct support to soldiers fighting the war on terror,” Massa said.
Massa’s service overseas has been in keeping with that of his fellow AED employees who served before him. “I have the greatest respect for Travis and his willingness to volunteer for this critical assignment,” said Kevin Rees, maintenance engineering division chief. “He is serving as the tip of the spear for AED and is delivering outstanding engineering support to the flight line in a very hostile environment.
“Massa’s duties in Iraq have him working at least 12 hours a day, seven days a week to accomplish the mission. Life here at Camp Anaconda is intense and our work is demanding because of the sheer number of Army helicopters in Southwest Asia. There is only one thing that you have to focus on here and that is your work. Your food is taken care of and your clothing is always the same: desert camouflage uniforms,” Massa said.
Despite the long hours, or maybe because of them, he feels proud to be part of something bigger than himself. “I feel that this job is important and worth the intensity. Supporting the soldiers and the Global War on Terror is a privilege and an honor,” Massa said.
The AMC internship is a two-year program in which Massa was hired as a GS-7. After one year he became a GS-9 and at the end of the program he will be promoted to DB-3. In addition to his duties on the job, Massa is to complete Defense Acquisition, Leadership and SPRDE courses both online and onsite as well as other local training
Merv Brokke, AMRDEC public affairs
Generally regarded as the father of American rocketry, Dr. Werner von Braun, called our university, “Countdown College.” We ask you to count down together a new launch as the university continues to be recognized as one of the top technological universities in the world.
Being alumni and trustees of this great university, we’re proud of the education we received and the preparation it gave us for the challenges we face every day. Those college days are still fixed in our minds and hearts as we consider our college experience from time to time.
Now, it’s our turn to reconnect with our history and to add to the university’s success! With a new passion, we embrace the legacy of our pioneers, professors emeriti and alumni. As trustees, our responsibility is to ensure that the future vision of our alma mater responds to the global challenges that lie ahead preparing student to exceed expectations!
Compared to other universities, ours is young in years yet rich in history. Our first five decades have elevated the university in the eyes of the world of science and business, and the next five years will ensure our place in academia.
We look back on our history with great pride and at our institution for what it has become. Just as the first 50 years has been exciting, the future holds even more potential. Florida Tech continues to be visionary and innovative.
What began with a 37 cent gift is now a $50 million campaign in celebration of our first 50 years as a university.
As the public phase of the Golden Anniversary Campaign for Florida Tech launches, join us in supporting our university as it continues on its destiny to become one of the top 10 technological universities in the world. As we’ve done in the past, together, we can make a difference. Your financial support will make history.
Ad Astra Per Scientiam!
Bino Campanini ’90 B.S. Business Communications, ’92 M.B.A. Human Resource Management
Joe Caruso ’73 B.S. Management Science,
’75 Business Administration
Dale Dettmer ’71 M.S. Electrical Engineering
Henry Heflich ’73 B.S. Electrical Engineering
Ken Revay ’82 B.S. Mechanical Engineering
Jim Thomas ’72 B.S. Mathematical Science
A special request—call the university’s Development Office at (321) 674-8962 if you know of any other organizations that may have an interest in supporting our university’s Golden Anniversary Campaign. |
