Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Spence | Bettina Brunner, 7th Army Training Command safety and occupational health specialist,...... read more read more
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GRAFENWOEHR, Germany – For one German national, it’s never too late to dream big.
In the 14 years since she began working for the U.S. Army and joining the Command Safety Office of 7th Army Training Command in Tower Barracks, Germany, Safety and Occupational Health Specialist Bettina Brunner has just won the most prestigious award of her career.
An award up until recently, she thought was only reserved for U.S. soldiers and U.S. government employees.
“I always thought that this award was only for Americans, and I didn't think that it was something that I could get as a German,” said Brunner. “It wasn't until my supervisor, Safety Director Crittenden Kennedy asked if I wanted to finish my U.S. Army Career Program (CP-12) Professional Certificate in Safety and Occupational Health that I gave it serious thought.”
CP-12 careerists are required to possess over 80 competencies, including core requirements for managerial, physical, and mathematical sciences, as well as hazard, control, and safety assessment methods. Furthermore, they must possess knowledge of specialized operational areas such as construction, industrial, transportation, tactical, explosives, range, fire, electrical, radiation, and aviation.
"I completed a number of courses, training sessions, and earned my business administration qualification certificates to include Ammunition and Explosive Safety Levels 1 and 2, which is the bulk of my duties,” she said. “For my CP-12 exam, I wanted to be able to combine theory and practice.”
“It was important to me to fully understand how the Army safety program integrated across several commands in different occupations,” Brunner said. “I wanted to be able to provide the best practices and solutions to the unique problems we face every day in Grafenwoehr.”
“The training I received helped me fill that gap,” she added.
When asked who had the greatest influence on her picking up and continuing the journey, Brunner responded, “Kennedy refocused me on achieving a goal I didn’t realize I had.”
However, she didn't credit her success to just one mentor.
“In 2009, there was Safety Director Dirk Kellar and Safety and Occupational Health Specialist Josef Neubauer, who introduced me to the training courses I needed and assisted me with the regulatory questions. In 2018, our Safety Director John Darlington and Safety and Occupational Health Specialist Harry Kordesch provided additional guidance,” she said.
As for Brunner, even after receiving the award she remains modest but recognizes what this could mean for her compatriots.
“You don't realize it that way at first, but after a while, you become aware of the impact of achieving this,” said Brunner. “That it is an enormous accomplishment and a significant opportunity for other local nationals to obtain the certificate as well.”
CP-12 safety careerists are responsible for developing safety programs and ensuring compliance with federal, Department of Defense, and Army safety polices at the installations and activities where they are assigned.
Kennedy presented Brunner with the CP-12 certificates on Feb. 15, 2023.
“We are incredibly proud of Bettina for her hard work in earning this qualification,” said Kennedy. “We also verified with U.S. Army Europe and Africa that Bettina was indeed the first German employee to get this certification, so that added to the accomplishment. She will be an inspiration for other local national employees to continue their professional education.”
| Date Taken: | 06.22.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 06.23.2023 03:07 |
| Story ID: | 447701 |
| Location: | GRAFENWOEHR, BAYERN, DE |
| Hometown: | GRAFENWOHR, BAYERN, DE |
| Web Views: | 262 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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