https://twitter.com/armyfutures/status/1542136547411218433

AFC & the

@USArmy

proudly celebrate Pride Month 🏳️‍🌈

We recognize that the selfless service of LGBTQ Army #Soldiers and Civilians has made our military stronger and the nation safer.

See how our staff members are expanding and supporting these efforts:

https://www.army.mil/article/258010/

Embracing diversity, inclusion and authenticity at Army Futures Command

By Maureena Thompson, Army Futures CommandJune 29, 2022

AUSTIN, Texas – Alex Vermooten and Leah Lucio both feel lucky to have joined U.S. Army Futures Command headquarters as newly minted civil servants in early 2020.

Despite the tumultuous timing — they became members of AFC at the time that COVID-19 was altering in-person operations around the globe — and the initial moments of uncertainty about stepping into brand-new roles, their experiences of joining the Commander’s Action Group at AFC were remarkably pleasant.

“I’ve been blown away by the people that I’ve been able to work with,” Vermooten said. “Everyone is so dedicated and so present for the modernization mission, even in the face of a lot of challenges.”

“The people are just so nice, they’re amazing,” Lucio agreed. “Their service is to the command and to the mission, but it’s also to just being good people; you see that in spades here at AFC.”

As Vermooten and Lucio settled into their work and got to better know their teammates as well as each other, they found they shared similar passions for public service that extended beyond the confines of their inboxes and virtual conference rooms.

“I’ve always wanted to pursue a career in public service,” Vermooten said, adding that “at the end of the day, I want to serve a community, and I feel like I’m only going to be satisfied if I’m doing that.”

Vermooten, whose parents emigrated to the U.S. from South Africa, grew up apart from their blood relatives and extended family. As a result, they resonated in many ways with the concept of found family — they explain, "not being tied so much to a place geographically but by the communities you develop and fall into.”

When Vermooten was attending college at the University of Texas, where they majored in government and minored in history and Middle Eastern studies, they saw how the idea of found family also applied to military veteran and LGBTQ communities.

When they later worked in national security research at the University of Texas, they observed through interactions with undergraduate students how important finding a sense of identity and belonging can be to so many.

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