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# An American-German partnership

By Elizabeth Stoeckmann DLA Energy Public Affairs

                FORT BELVOIR, Virginia  –              
Imagine being a foreign exchange employee, leaving your country and moving across the globe to improve your language skills, gain professional and personal perspective and have new cultural experiences.

Stefan Weingart knows this experience well. He arrived in America in August 2017 to join the Defense Logistics Agency Energy Procurement Process Support Directorate as a career management specialist with the Acquisition Workforce Development and Intern Center team.

“I applied through the Administrative and Personnel Exchange Program in 2016 and was hired a year later,” Weingart said. “I am very proud they chose me to come to DLA because it was my first choice. In Germany, we have very similar departments and functions as DLA Energy.”

For more than half a century, the United States and Germany workforce have governed the first Engineer and Scientist Professional Exchange Program known as the ESEP.

Weingart hails from the Military of Defense of the Federal Republic of Germany Economic and Legal Affairs Division of the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support, Koblenz, Germany.

An agreement between the U.S. Department of Defense and the Federal Ministry of Defense of the Federal Republic of Germany provides on-site working assignments in administrative and professional positions.

The DoD has designated the U.S. Army as executive agent for APEP agreements, interactions with designated countries and control of administrative records.

“It’s a vetting process between the two governments,” said DLA Energy Career Management Specialist Phyllis Webster-Trombley.

She explained the process starts with a position description that is coordinated and approved by both the Pentagon and German defense officials. Once the process is complete, a work agreement and security details are coordinated with a foreign exchange liaison officer.

“Phyllis is the heart and soul of the exchange program,” Weingart said, who was his first contact with DLA Energy.

Weingart, who uses a translator app to navigate the English language, started his DLA experience on an acquisition workforce analytics project where he reorganized data on each acquisition professional to provide better support and training resources to meet certification requirements in less time.

“He’s been extremely helpful and organized in this new endeavor for the acquisition workforce,” said DLA Energy Acquisition Workforce Development and Intern Center Division Chief Ditu Kasuyi. “We will be able to do things we haven’t done before in supporting the acquisition workforce, which only enhances DLA Energy’s capacity to support the warfighter.”

Weingart knows first-hand how important it is to support the warfighter, he served in the German Army as a mechanic and technical head of operations on a CH-53 and MBB Bo 105 helicopter for twelve years serving in the ranks of private second class to sergeant major.

“After twelve years as a short-service volunteer, we have the possibility to enhance our education level in Germany,” Weingart said. “I took the opportunity to start my studies and become a civil servant in the higher service.”

In February, Weingart rotated to DLA Energy Bulk Petroleum Products Division working as a contract specialist on the Rocky Mountain West solicitation for diverse fuel. 

“This new opportunity will only enhance his American experience,” said his administrative supervisor Kasuyi. 

“Weingart fits seamlessly into our team and works well with everyone to accomplish whatever tasks are required,” said his new supervisor Callie Ettleson Lake.

He brings experience about how Germany performs contracting functions and has learned quickly how to perform DLA Energy solicitations, some that are very similar and some that are very different, she said.

Weingart was first introduced to the foreign exchange program by his colleague who participated in the program in 2013.

“Mr. Carsten Risch inspired me to come here,” Weingart said. “He was the first foreign exchange (for DLA Energy), responsible for fuel in Germany and was in contact with DLA Energy fuel service.”

Weingart has set personal and professional goals while in the exchange program.

“I would like to enhance my understanding of the English language, understand the functions of the DLA organizations, learn more about the U.S. cultural and diversity, study military service interests of defense affairs and enrich communication with people and international organizations,” he said.

Each foreign exchange employee is authorized to bring their family with them so they can be involved in the new experience. 

“I brought my wife and two children,” he said. “We are satisfied and live a usual ‘German-American life’ with ups and downs. But, it’s a lot more fun, exciting and much more sunshine.”

He said Washington D.C. is like a hot spot for military members and industry partners from around the world.

“My family has already asked if we can stay,” he said who has plans to return back to his position in Germany this summer. His civil service position is paid for by his country.

The foreign exchange program strives to promote mutual understanding and trust between countries, enhance operational knowledge, strengthen defense logistics and develop long-term professional and personal relationships.

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Administrative and Personnel Exchange ProgramEngineer and Scientist Professional Exchange ProgramAmerican-German partnership