My First Job: Debra Lewis, 46th commander and district engineer

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December 25, 2005

My First Job: Debra Lewis, 46th commander and district engineer

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Col. Debra Lewis

Current position: 46th Commander and District Engineer, Seattle District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

First job: Map distribution platoon leader for 38 soldiers at Fort Bragg, N.C., providing mapping support to all tactical units east of the Mississippi River. Duties included obtaining, inventorying, issuing and storing millions of maps.

How I got the job: After signing in at Fort Bragg in the late 1980s, I was immediately told to meet the brigade commander, a full colonel. I remember being told, "We've decided to place you in the platoon creating the most problems for the command, the Map Distribution Platoon. I recall sitting there stunned and disappointed, responding mechanically, with a skill honed over four years at West Point, "Yes, Sir!".

What I learned: I had a tremendous amount to learn, including that effective communication is hard work. I learned to better control my urge to judge situations or people immediately and harshly. Opportunities existed in difficult situations if I paid attention and knew where to look. Even with a rank as low as a second lieutenant, I learned one person can actually do quite a bit when you focus your mind with a singleness of purpose.

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