Veterans Now Support MRIGlobal’s Mission
On Veterans Day, we salute those who have served our country in the United States Armed Forces. Their mission of defending the nation and protecting national interests is of vital importance, and we thank them for their service. Today, 30 veterans support MRIGlobal’s mission of improving the overall health, safety, and well-being of people everywhere. These are a few of their stories.
The World Has Seen Marcus Williams
Japan, California, Thailand, and Iraq – in his training and deployments with the U.S. Marines Corps, Marcus Williams has seen the world. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, he served as a Motor Transport Operator. Whether in a war zone or more mundane settings, he supported the safety of convoys from an armored Humvee, helping contractors and supplies make it to their destination.
Now as a Lead Security Officer at our Kansas City headquarters, he’s often at the front desk and the first person to greet employees and visitors entering the building.
“It’s my job to make sure our team stays safe, and that people get where they need to be. It’s somewhat like being deployed, just without the incoming mortar fire,” Williams laughs.
Not only is he framed like a heavyweight boxer, but his quick smile is also tough to miss. Instead of Marcus having seen the world, it may be more apt to say that the world has seen Marcus Williams.
Leading the Way with Jenny Hammad
Feeling lost in college, Hammad was searching for something more. Inspired by her uncles who had served in the military, she joined the U.S. Army, soon finding the adventure, experience, camaraderie, and sense of place she was seeking. While stationed in Germany, Hammad worked for the Army’s Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in a human resources capacity for the military police. Her responsibilities included personnel appraisals, awards, promotions, and disciplinary actions.
Now supporting a Department of Defense client on site in the Washington, D.C. area, this role is not only incredibly important, but helping ensure national security is also a 24/7 job. Hammad believes her military experience helped prepare her to be a leader and understand the demands of executing such a challenging mission.
“The leadership and training provided in the military is incredible. My first sergeant, captain, and colonel all led by example. Leading my team today, I do the same. Even when it’s as simple as working on a holiday so a member of the team can spend time with family. I’m committed to my team just as my military leadership was committed to me,” says Hammad.
Phylicia Chambers is on the Path
Working on a CBRNE team in the U.S. Army, Chambers and her platoon trained to conduct reconnaissance on chemical, biological, nuclear, and explosive threats in the field, with the goal of keeping other troops safe from those threats. At the time, she was responsible for an equipment cage, including PPE gear for use during an attack. They also trained to effectively respond and decontaminate following an attack.
“I always wanted to be a scientist but didn’t know how to get there. My military service allowed me the time to explore my options and figure it out. My training there and education afterwards then put me on my path,” Chambers says.
Chambers now works in our Gaithersburg facility testing samples in a rapid response laboratory capability for the surveillance and detection of biological threat agents, including anthrax, in the National Capital Region (NCR). This work has served as an enduring capability and asset to national security for the past two decades. Though still early in her career, Chambers’ longer-term goal is to join one of our scientific research teams, continuing to contribute to our mission.
Melissa Moses Has Been Everywhere
Melissa Moses’ list of deployments with the U.S. Marines Corps in the last 20 years may not rhyme like the destinations in Johnny Cash’s “I’ve Been Everywhere,” but it’s nearly as lengthy. Washington state, Greece, Israel, Missouri, Kyrgyzstan, Maryland, Quantico, Arizona, Japan, the South Pacific, Afghanistan, and now Washington, D.C. Moses says that each of those experiences – working on construction projects, on a special assignment, on a security team, with WMDs, on CBRN teams, and in Officer Candidate School – has pushed her beyond her comfort zone in ways she may not have done otherwise.
“Sometimes, after a long deployment or challenging mission, you think ‘I can’t push any harder,’ but the military says ‘Yes, you can.’ because they have confidence in you and your skills. That has given me the confidence to do more than I would have done on my own,” Moses says.
While supporting the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) in 2019 for a project related to the country’s COVID-19 response, Moses met our Dr. Gene Olinger. At that time, she had recently gone on reserves and started with MRIGlobal as a Senior Scientist. In 2020, she was called back to support DIA and has been on active duty ever since. Today, she supports MRIGlobal in a part-time role, working with Dr. Olinger and the Life Sciences team when a project needs her unique perspective and expertise. For Moses, she’s proud to add that to her list of experiences.
GETTING STARTED AT MRIGLOBAL
To learn more about the work we’ve done or how we can help you, contact us today. If you are part of an agency, business, or academic institution seeking assistance with a project, use our Project Quote Tool to get started.
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