Inventory Management at CACI International
Service-disabled veteran finds work through new corporate initiative at CACI International.
by Warren Duffie

Chris Fustos led a patrol of Marines through the streets of Fallujah. While traversing a narrow alleyway, a hand grenade arched over a wall and made a clanking noise as it bounced erratically off the alley walls in front of Fustos.

“Grenade!” he screamed, and they all dove for cover. Luckily, he survived the blast and recovered. After a traumatic event like that the lance corporal isn’t easily rattled by much anymore: including civilian employment.

“When you experience combat and get hurt, you realize life is precious,” he said. “All the stress and problems of work seem pretty petty.”

But there is nothing petty about his job with CACI International, a provider of IT, network solutions and logistics services to a host of government clients.

On the Job
Fustos works in a massive warehouse in Camp Pendleton, Calif., providing aviation supplies to five squadrons of combat helicopters. He handles inventory for everything from screws, nuts, and bolts to engine parts and pilot suits.

“There are a lot of helicopters that need parts everyday,” said Fustos, who was hired by CACI in November. “I work with a team of 50 Marines and civilians to process orders, send out parts and equipment, and go over the spending budgets of various departments.”

Fustos arrives to the warehouse at 0630. He ensures previous orders were filled and replenishes stock of distributed parts. After lunch, he attends to new orders and ensures various budgets are balanced before leaving at 1500.

“The paperwork and red tape can be a struggle,” he said, “but you just have to keep yourself motivated and bring some fun to the job. That’s one thing I learned in the Marine Corps.”

Looking for Service-Disabled Veterans
CACI International provides clients with specialists in systems integration, managed network solutions, information management, logistics, and engineering. Based in Arlington, Va., the company employs 11,800 people worldwide and earned $1.94 billion in revenues last year.

CACI has earned glowing praise for its “Deploying Talent, Creating Careers” program, aimed at hiring service-disabled veterans like Fustos. CACI Chief Executive Paul Cofoni started the initiative last year.

In Uniform
A lifelong fan of movies and books about the Marine Corps, Fustos enlisted in February 2004. After boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, the Tennessee native attended infantry training at nearby Camp Pendleton.

After his grenade injury in Fallujah, he spent many months healing before returning to his unit to participate in more combat action. He returned home from deployment in April 2005.

In January 2006, Fustos was deployed to Iraq again, before learning that his injuries required further medical attention. He was eventually discharged because of his combat related disability.

The Transition
“I had no idea what I was going to do as a civilian,” he said. “Then my sergeant major told me that CACI was looking to hire Marines. It was for the “Deploying Talent” program. He gave them my phone number and they contacted me that day. I had an interview soon after.”

What Fustos appreciates most is the chance to work in a meaningful job. He hopes to eventually return to school. For now, he is finding the transition to the civilian sector easier than he thought and his military “can do” spirit a benefit to his employer.