Assistants are indispensable to leaders              Susanne Kappler              Leader Staff

They mainly work behind the scenes without much fanfare or glory, but without the hard work of administrative professionals, business would not run smoothly on Fort Jackson. Fort Jackson employs 44 civilian administrative professionals. They are trained professionals who not only possess computer knowledge, but also need organizational talent and interpersonal skills to be successful. Patricia Robinson, administrative assistant for the command group of the U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School, explains that the ability to multitask is essential. “The phone is ringing, the supervisor is calling me, people are standing around my desk checking on information or trying to make appointments — and still performing well under pressure can be challenging,” she said. According to Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Christopher Wisdom, deputy commandant of USACHCS, Robinson is up to the task. “Patti Robinson adds great value by managing senior leader calendars, calls, conferences and countless other issues the way an air traffic controller monitors and manages flights and ground traffic,” he said. “She helps mitigate the risk of confusion, conflicts and ‘collisions’ for USACHCS senior leaders in the command wing.”  The fast-paced environment of a military installation also calls for adaptability. “Each day is unique and different. So I have to be proactive in anticipating any issues or challenges to ensure successful scheduling adjustments, coordination and execution of all actions in support of the chief of staff and the Fort Jackson mission,” said Zeathia Strong, administrative assistant to the Fort Jackson chief of staff. Besides the clerical duties that come with the job, being able to strike the right chord with people is essential. “I try to be approachable, I try to be patient and I try very hard to be friendly,” explained Ann Byrum, who works for the commanding general and the deputy commanding officer. “Whether or not I meet those goals, I don’t know. I guess that’s for the jury (to decide). But that’s what I would hope to be.” Those qualities come in handy in challenging situations. “We have a lot of phone calls from disgruntled family members who are unhappy because of their perception of what’s going on with their loved one here at Fort Jackson,” Byrum said. “But, it’s rewarding being able to help people, especially those who don’t have any idea of the Army (or) Fort Jackson, and they’re so lost and they just need somebody to say, ‘Hey, let me put you in contact with the right people.’” Col. Kevin Shwedo, Fort Jackson deputy commanding officer, points out that Byrum excels at being a successful “gatekeeper.” “Ann deals with a lot of people who think each issue needs to go to the commanding general,” he said. “She finds effective ways to divert each action to the most effective respondent. She knows who needs to get contacted to get things done immediately.” Strong adds that the right attitude is a necessary ingredient for success. “I believe that it is important to treat people with respect, regardless of their rank or station in life. Some people enter our lives, exit and return again,” Strong said. “Several years ago, I worked for a brigade commander who is now the post commanding general and a battalion commander who is now the deputy commanding officer and a brigade chaplain who is now the deputy commandant of USACHCS.” The many aspects of the job may not always be obvious to everyone, though. “My husband’s retired (from the) military, so you would think that he would know a lot of what I do — (but) sometimes I go home and I get the impression he just has no idea of the many facets,” Byrum said. “We do so much of a wide variety of things that I think probably most people don’t have any really good sense of what an admin person does.”  Still, Byrum would not trade for any other job on the installation. “I love my job,” she said. “I have always told people that I have the best job on Fort Jackson.”