Meet Booz Allen Guard and Reservists Supporting the U.S. Military's COVID-19 Response

“Always Ready, Always There!” is the motto of the United States National Guard. For this year’s National Military Appreciation Month, Booz Allen celebrates how its National Guard and reservist employees rise to the challenge and are prepared for anything, even a global pandemic.

The National Guard and Reserve play a key role in the U.S. military’s response to emergencies, and this has especially been true during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read here how Booz Allen employees have put their daily lives on pause to support military readiness during COVID-19.

Resourcefully building healthcare capacity

Ian Clowes puts his problem-solving skills to work with Booz Allen’s Strategic Innovation Group in Arlington, Virginia and with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

As the pandemic surged, such skills were badly needed to assemble healthcare facilities for front-line medical workers. Clowes was activated as a member of the Corps Future Operation section, supporting efforts to convert buildings like convention centers, dorms, hotels, sports arenas and temporary structures into medical treatment centers. To date, the Corps has provided over 14,000 hospital beds nationwide.

“The Corps of Engineers is a fantastic organization that does great work for the American public and international partners. I was happy to plug back into them to assist in pandemic relief efforts in some small way,” said Clowes. “I was also really thankful that my Booz Allen and client leadership were so supportive of my time on duty, and how easy they made the transition there and back.”

Routing vital supplies for testing and protection

Getting COVID-19 tests and personal protective equipment where they need to go is a complex logistical undertaking—but Michael Deighan has the skills for the challenge.

With Booz Allen, Deighan supports the Naval Information Forces Command in efforts to improve and modernize systems requirements and processes. He spent six years on active duty as an intel analyst, supporting missions in the Middle East.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, he deployed as an operations officer with the 276th Engineer Battalion of the Virginia Army National Guard. His unit’s mission: delivering test kits to and from medical facilities across Virginia and distributing personal protective equipment to military units and state locations.

Delivering vital updates and training

Lt Col Steve Frodsham, who supports Booz Allen’s aerospace clients at Langley AFB, Virginia as a fifth generation fighter subject matter expert, also trains pilots as an F-22 instructor and evaluator pilot. But this is only one of his many responsibilities as an Operations Group leader of unit readiness for the Virginia Air National Guard.

What is the COVID status of National Guard Airmen in Virginia? How does this impact unit readiness? Every day, Frodsham manages reporting—all the way up to Governor Ralph Northam.

“Every challenge presents an opportunity. Adapting to the challenges of the COVID pandemic has provided us an opportunity to evaluate our processes and seek efficiencies through non-traditional means in order to maintain our combat readiness while keeping our service members and their families safe and healthy,” said Frodsham.

“I’m honored to be a part of the effort and grateful to Booz Allen and the Virginia Air National Guard for allowing me the opportunity to be involved on both the civilian and military sides.”

Learn more about the military community at Booz Allen and Booz Allen’s COVID-19 response.