#IAMIMSC: Capt. Anita Sims

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#IAMIMSC: Capt. Anita Sims

Duty title and unit: Operations Chief, Air Force Installation Contracting Center - Operating Location Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana.

Primary duty responsibilities: I advise and connect eight contracting units throughout AFGSC. Whether participating in Contract Functional Area Reviews, serving as an interim squadron commander, or distributing and organizing the many tasks of the command, it’s been awesome!

What’s the best part of your job?
The moments when I get to interact with other units and see the unique ways they approach achieving the mission. I also enjoy our virtual tag-ups when team members informally introduces themselves and tell their “hero’s journey.”

Why are you and your job important to the Air Force and AFMC?
It is such an honor to serve and learn the ways of the Air Force. It is through this experience and my time serving that I can mentor and share my observations with mentees. Contracting professionals turn dollars into mission for the Air Force and Air Force Materiel Command. My contribution is turning lessons learned into great opportunities for others to excel. 

What’s a recent project that gave you a great sense of accomplishment?
I’m proud of my time as an interim squadron commander. Everything felt like a great sense of accomplishment once I returned for a visit and was welcomed with warm greetings and even a socially distant hug or three. That really pulled on my heart strings. 

Which AFIMSC priority do you most identify with – or see yourself and your job fitting into – and why?
I’d like to say I identify with all three LOEs. My personal goals for the year are obtaining my unlimited warrant and completing the Air Command and Staff College distance learning program. 

The unlimited warrant allows contracting officers to procure goods, services and construction assets with no limit on the dollar amount. My senior leaders have made it pretty clear that for mission-focused business leaders to execute with optimal lethality and readiness, the pursuit and achievement of our warrant is how we begin. The focus and dedication required to achieve the unlimited warrant is a feat of strength. 

For me, this pursuit give me an opportunity to look at my son and say, “you too can do difficult things.” It makes the mom talks about dedication, focus and sticking to it more meaningful because I did it. I won’t limit pursuing organizational excellence to the unlimited warrant process and ACSC distance learning, but whew, they are definitely a tall task to pursue.

Is there anything you’d like to add?
Thanks for the opportunity to tell my story.