The USACE Afghanistan District is thankful for the many civilian volunteers who leave behind their daily jobs, delegate the management of their home life to their spouses, and selflessly deploy to support the overall mission here.
One such volunteer is Mr. David Hardin who had just returned from much needed Rest and Relaxation with his family, to be presented with the Secretary of the Army Civilian Service Achievement Medal.
His citation, signed by the Transatlantic Division Commander, Christopher Beck, read in part, “For Superior performance as the manager of the Local National Support Team while deployed with the Transatlantic Division-Afghanistan District. Mr. Hardin assisted the Local National Support Team with the Afghanistan District’s largest customer, Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan (CSTC-A.)
His active engagement and facilitation of the Team demonstrated resolute dedication and clear understanding of the significance of the customer’s Train, Advise, and Assist mission. Mr. Hardin’s unwavering team commitment and accomplishments are in keeping with the highest honors and traditions of civilian service and reflect great credit upon him, the Transatlantic Division, the United States Army Corps of Engineers, and the United States Army.”
Hardin, an engineering technician, was welcomed to the Afghanistan District in February 2019 to fulfill the Cost Estimator Contracting Officer Representative (COR) position at the New Kabul Compound. In July he became a Project Manager. This former U. S. Air Force Structural Journeyman in Civil Engineering has been with USACE for a little over two years and worked more than 11 years as an Army Civilian at Ft. Campbell, KY.
Hardin comes to Afghanistan from the Mobile District in Alabama. He said, “I was inspired to deploy because of the opportunity to help strengthen the infrastructure of Afghanistan.” His work in theater has evolved around Operations and Maintenance COR projects.
“The Corps has taught me about demining, deep excavations, wells, waste water treatment plants and made me familiar with EM-385-1,” said Hardin.
EM-385-1 is a document detailing regulations and Corps of Engineers interpretations for specific topics regarding construction on military work projects.
One of his most unforgettable days on the job was during his last deployment to the region when they finished the Ramp 5 Taxiway project at HKIA, noting that this doesn’t happen very often over here.
“My message to those planning to deploy is to be ready to hit the ground running in this high tempo environment, “said Hardin, whose usual job back in Alabama is the engineering technician in the Cost Section.
He credits his father, a retired U. S. Air Force Senior Master Sergeant and his mother a retired Civilian Graded GS-12 Finance Officer in supporting him to become the person he is now. What makes him the happiest however is supporting his wife and children.
This graduate of Samuel Clemens H. S. and Austin Peay State University considers Bardstown, KY as his home of record and when he is not spending time with his family, or on the job working, he enjoys golfing, fishing, and watching UK Basketball.