Senior engineering manager Sri Reddy recently returned to a warm welcome and pancake breakfast at General Dynamics Mission Systems' Florham Park, New Jersey, facility following his 11-month active-duty deployment as a chief warrant officer with the U.S. Army. He returned home to New Jersey from his service in December.
Joining in the celebration were Amy Johnson, vice president and general manager of the Space, Cyber and Intelligence Systems (SC&I) line of business (LOB); Joe Simonelli, vice president of Engineering for the LOB; Brendan Grant, Intelligence Systems business area vice president; and program director Mau-En Lee.
“What's most important is that Sri returned safely to his family," Amy said. “Sri represents the best of what we are, and I am honored to have been there to celebrate his homecoming and thank him for the sacrifices he has made for all of us."
Vice President of People Chris Hiltbrand joined Amy's praise of the dedication of Sri and others to our company and our country.
“I'm honored to work alongside Sri and others here at General Dynamics who serve in uniform," Chris said. “Their unwavering dedication to our country and to each other exemplifies true courage and commitment. We are deeply grateful for the profound impact they make both in uniform and as part of our General Dynamics family."
About Sri's Service
Sri enlisted in the Army in 2006 as an infantryman, graduating at the top of his class. Over his 19-year career, he has served in multiple deployments, including Iraq in 2008 with the New Jersey Army National Guard's 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and, most recently, Iraq and Syria with the 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team for Operation Inherent Resolve.
After becoming an electronic warfare officer in 2015, Sri supported critical hurricane relief operations in New Jersey and Puerto Rico and served as the Brigade's first cyber and electronic warfare officer. His exceptional leadership and service have left a lasting impact both abroad and at home.
At the end of his deployment Sri was awarded a Bronze Star Medal for his meritorious service as the Brigade's cyber and electronic warfare officer, with the additional duty of the Brigade's lead innovation officer, during combat operations in Iraq and Syria in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
“While the recognition by the Army is nice," Sri said, “my focus was on bringing my fellow soldiers home and accomplishing our mission. The credit is really to them. I couldn't be prouder of brothers- and sisters-in-arms that I had the honor to serve with."
'Outpouring of Support'
Sri said the recognition and support from General Dynamics Mission Systems during his deployment and returning to work “has been amazing. The company was extremely supportive of my family. Coworkers would stop by my house whenever there was an issue. They would check in on the family often. My family also came by the Florham Park facility several times, for activities like Take Your Kids to Work Day."
During his deployment, Sri added, “My coworkers from Florham Park sent several, large care packages that I was able to share with my fellow soldiers. It was a nice reminder of home."
And when he returned home in December, Sri said, “One of the surprises I had was upon returning to my house, my yard was filled with signs from my son's school, my daughter's preschool and from General Dynamics Mission Systems. There were dozens of yard signs, and the messages were truly touching. General Dynamics Mission Systems was a big part of setting up and creating those signs."
He also had surprises waiting for him at our facility when he returned to work, with welcome home banners and signs throughout the site as well as a decorated office.
“Transitioning back home from combat/contingency operations is never easy, no matter how many times you do it," Sri said. “There are unique challenges every time, everyone struggles in their own way." He continued, “The support General Dynamics Mission Systems has shown me not only during my deployment but also during my transition back has been amazing. Ranging from messages of support and encouragement to periodic check-ins, the outpouring of support was heartwarming to me. I couldn't ask for a better employer or better colleagues. I'm proud to be part of the General Dynamics Mission Systems family."
