On-the-Job Training in Texas

Jonah Thompson

Army veteran and Texas resident Hayley Albers reflects on acquiring new skills through her deployments with Team Rubicon.

I’ve had the pleasure of being apart of Team Rubicon since September of 2015. I heard about TR while I was in the Army but never officially joined until I received an email about Operation: Gingerbread Man in Bastrop, Texas.

I had the chance to help out a neighboring town and also be apart of this amazing organization, so I rushed to complete my Roll Call volunteer profile. By day three on the op, I had completed my Sawyer 1 course and was out in the field clearing a field of burnt trees with my spotter. That night at the FOB, I ended up receiving the Top Sawyer Award – a huge surprise to me after only picking up a saw for a couple days.

Hayley received the Top Sawyer Award on Operation: Gingerbread Man just days after operating a chainsaw for the first time.

Hayley received the Top Sawyer Award on Operation: Gingerbread Man just days after operating a chainsaw for the first time.

Fast forward to last December and Operation: Bankhead Blitz in Glenn Heights, Texas. I’ve been here for two weeks, and I have had opportunity to learn Palantir Technologies, and I now hold the Palantir tech position for the remainder of this op. It has been an amazing opportunity and experience, and I can’t wait to see what my future with Team Rubicon holds.

Army veterans Merissa Morgan (left) and Hayley Albers (right) tackle some end-of-day decon in Glenn Heights, TX.

Army veterans Merissa Morgan (left) and Hayley Albers (right) tackle some end-of-day decon in Glenn Heights, TX.

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