My DCMA Remember 9/11: Stephanie Sturdevant, Keystone contract administrator
My name is Stephanie Sturdevant, and this is “My DCMA.” I am a Keystone contract administrator at DCMA Mountain Pacific, and I am based in Denver. My contract management office is a part of the Geographic & Systems Support Command.
9/11 reflection as a child versus now
As I reflect on Sept. 11, 2001, I can’t believe it’s been 25 years since the terrorist attacks. Growing up in southern Maine, just a few hours north of New York, the events of 9/11 remain vividly etched in my memory, even though I was only 10 years old at the time. I was a 5th grader in the middle of gym class when we were abruptly notified that we had to evacuate the school. Together, my classmates and I walked five miles to a designated assembly point where our parents could pick us up. Once my parents arrived and gathered my sisters and I, we went to their workplace, where everyone was huddled around the television. It seemed as though every single channel was broadcasting the unfolding horror.
At 10 years old, the full gravity of the situation didn’t completely register in the moment, but the raw emotion radiating from the adults around me hit incredibly hard. While I missed the first plane hitting the World Trade Center, I watched the second plan strike in real-time. Seeing the impact and watching the towers crumble in a cloud of dust brought immediate tears and a deep sense of grief, even at my young age.
In the days that followed, our school held a memorial service for the victims. That service remains a permanent memory because one of my classmates lost her uncle, a firefighter who made the ultimate sacrifice trying to rescue others from the towers. Witnessing her trauma and the immense grief her family had to endure was one of the hardest things I have ever experienced. It is a profound loss, and a testament to bravery that I will never forget.
September 11 is a day permanently etched into my memory. I will never forget the surreal horror of seeing those planes strike the towers, watching people run for their lives as the building crumbled, and witnessing the devastating aftermath of that tragedy. Yet, out of that darkness, I also saw our nation find an unprecedented strength. Our country united in a way I had never seen before, people leaned into their faith, supported one another unconditionally, stood shoulder-to-shoulder, and resolved to never forget.
That collective resolve hit close to home. Both my brother and sister were serving in the military at the time, and I remember the call informing us that my brother was deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan to defend our nation. The immense pride I felt for my siblings in that moment ultimately inspired my own path. At 25, I joined the Air Force — not for educational benefits or personal incentives, but out of a deep duty to serve my country, following in the footsteps of my father and siblings. For so many of us that grew up in the shadow of 9/11, that day ignited a lifelong commitment to stand up and defend the core values we hold dear — freedom, honor, and justice.
Keystone journey
As a contract administrator, I perform a range of post-award contract administration duties to ensure contractors deliver compliant products and services to our warfighters on time and within budget. I work closely with my administrative contracting officer. I conduct comprehensive contract reviews, monitor contractor performance metrics and track delivery schedules to ensure compliance. I also monitor and enforce specialized contract requirements, including the oversight of government-furnished property, facility and personnel security clearances, and patent and intellectual property rights.
I act as a central liaison between defense contractors, quality assurance representatives, and procuring contracting officers while managing my assigned portfolio’s contract closeout pipeline, reconciling remaining funds, and maintaining strict database integrity across the Department of War electronic systems. I also track compliance with property, security, and patent requirements alongside canceling funds and resolving administrative and financial discrepancies ahead of fiscal year deadlines to ensure a seamless contract closeout process.
I have been a part of the agency team for two and a half years. I like working at DCMA because I value the agency’s unwavering commitment to its workforce. Throughout the various changes I have experienced at DCMA, my supervisor, Michelle Williams, and Tara O’Neill, the Contracts director here, have provided the critical reassurance and clarity I have needed to remain focused on my mission support workload. Now, as I approach my two-and-a-half-year milestone and prepare to graduate from the Keystone program in March 2027, I am incredibly proud to serve an agency that actively invests in its employees.
One of the great things about working at my location includes having an amazing team and supervisor who are extremely supportive and ensure we are able to complete our workload efficiently. From my first day as a Keystone, this supportive culture has been vital to my development. My supervisor and team promote an environment of open communication and active mentorship, which allows us to collaborate seamlessly to overcome complex contract administration hurdles. Having a leadership team that actively removes barriers and provides clear guidance not only helps us manage our daily workload effectively but also fosters a shared commitment to the agency mission.
Mission evolution
DCMA is important to America’s warfighters because we bridge the critical gap between military requirements and industrial execution. By providing rigorous post-award contract administration, quality assurance, and financial oversight, we safeguard the integrity of the defense acquisition process. We ensure our nation’s defense industrial base remains accountable, taxpayer resources are utilized efficiently, and, most importantly, our military forces are equipped with the highest-quality, mission-ready technology, and material required to maintain global superiority.
Since I joined DCMA in March 2024, the agency has undergone a profound transformation. While navigating this level of change can be overwhelming, my team has remained vigilant and resilient. The steadfast support of my supervisor and my amazing teammates have been the anchor that mitigated the stress of these transitions, allowing us to stay focused on our mission. We operate with a deep sense of mutual support, and our team has built a resilient shield against that stress.
When my supervisor and my teammates foster an environment of trust and open communication, it creates the psychological safety needed to handle unexpected changes without panic. We tackle things such as new policy rollouts collectively, rather than in isolation. This collaborative approach keeps us grounded, reduces burnout, and ensures our minds remain clear and focused on our mission objectives. By actively looking out for one another and working as a unified front, we maintain the high standards of performance that the defense mission demands.
Future career goals
My future career goals include securing a limited ACO warrant, with the ultimate objective of passing the Contracting Officer Review Board to attain an unlimited warrant and step into a leadership role. Preparing for and obtaining these warrants will allow me to take on greater legal authority, manage highly complex portfolios independently and directly support DCMA’s mission-critical operations.
My main objective for the rest of 2026 and going into 2027 is to graduate from the Keystone program in March 2027 while preparing myself to earn a limited warrant. Obtaining my warrant is a key personal goal that will allow me to sign off on critical administrative actions, assist with streamlining our office operations and enhance my support to the team’s high workload. I am setting a rigorous goal to aggressively manage contract closeouts, monitor specialized property and security requirements, and reduce the risk of canceling funds. Additionally, as DCMA rolls out major policy and Defense Performance Management and Appraisal Program changes, my goal for the team is to serve as an anchor of stability. I also plan to cross train with my peers, so we continue to operate as a unified, highly-efficient unit.
Military service runs in the family
My family has a proud, multi-generational legacy of military service spanning the Vietnam War through the global war on terrorism. My father retired from the Air Force after 20 years of service. He served as a combat controller and paratrooper during the Vietnam War.
My brother retired from the Army after 27 years. He deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq and Kuwait. My sister retired from the Air Force after 21 years of service, and she worked in the supply field. My nephew served in the Army for nine years and deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq. In addition, my husband served in the Marine Corps for four years as an infantryman. He deployed to Iraq and Syria. Lastly, I proudly served in the Air Force for seven years as a Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration technician.
Editor’s note: DCMA’s “Remember 9/11” is a campaign reflecting on the events of Sept. 11, 2001, and the lasting impact 25 years later through stories of remembrance, resilience and service. We invite you to share your story by emailing the DCMA Public Affairs inbox. DCMA Public Affairs hopes to share as many stories as possible but cannot guarantee every submission will be published.
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