On Veterans Day, and every day, the ARM Institute celebrates our team members who have served or continue to serve in the U.S. military! Meet a few of our staff members who have served below:
JT Elensky, CPA
JT Elensky, CPAARM Institute Controller
U.S. Air Force Reserves
As our Controller, JT is an integral part of the ARM Institute’s finance team. JT has vast accounting experience, including government accounting, and first worked with the ARM Institute as a contractor before quickly joining our team full-time.
Broadly, can you tell us about your military background?
I joined the Air Force Reserves when I was 18 years old, enlisting as a C-130H aircraft crew chief (mechanic). I have almost 12 years in now and continue to serve in the reserves. One deployment to the Middle East. I’m now positioned as the Home Station Check Section Chief. Rank E-7.
What made you feel compelled to serve in the military? How did you select your branch?
I went to Hershey Park for a high school physics trip and there was a Marines recruiter there giving out t-shirts for anyone who could do over 40 pull-ups. I wanted to do a water ride and figured I could use an extra shirt, so I did the pull-ups. A few weeks later the recruiter called and explained all of the benefits and travel opportunities which sparked my interest. Luckily, I did a little more research and went with the Air Force Reserves.
How did your time in the military prepare you for life outside of service, including your position at the ARM Institute?
It really instilled the need to perform service before self. I noticed that I make sure that others are taken care of before I worry about what I would like to do, which is something that is drilled in during your time.
Do you have advice for those transitioning out of the military?
Use Military One Source as often as possible. They can answer almost anything, service-related or not.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I can genuinely thank the military for bringing me to where I am today and would be lying if I said it wasn’t a great time.
Matt Fischer
Matt FischerARM Institute Senior Business Development Manager
U.S. Navy
Matt joined the ARM Institute in 2018, just a year after the institute’s inception. He joined first as a Project Manager, managing our first several sets of technology projects and creating critically needed processes for our Project Calls and general project management. Matt later transitioned to his current role as the ARM Institute’s Senior Business Development Manager. In this role, he facilitates new connections and partnerships between the ARM Institute and various external stakeholders.
Broadly, can you tell us about your military background?
I was a Submarine Officer in the U.S. Navy and served aboard the USS HARTFORD SSN 768 in Groton, CT from 2010-2013.
What made you feel compelled to serve in the military? How did you select your branch?
I attended the United States Naval Academy because I was interested in doing something different and exciting after high school.
How did your time in the military prepare you for life outside of service, including your position at the ARM Institute?
I learned a lot of technical skills and perseverance.
Tasha Miller
Tasha MillerARM Institute Programs Manager
U.S. Air Force
Tasha Miller joined the ARM Institute team nearly a year ago. In her role, Tasha leads and manages ARM Institute’s projects funded through the Southwestern Pennsylvania New Economy Collaborative, a Build Back Better Regional Challenge award. This includes managing the ARM Institute’s Robotics Manufacturing Hub and Regional Innovation Accelerators. Tasha was also recently named among 20 people to know in Pittsburgh manufacturing by the Pittsburgh Business Times.
Broadly, can you tell us about your military background?
Air Force (the best branch), six years of Active Duty, and three years in the Reserve, and my current rank is Major.
What made you feel compelled to serve in the military? How did you select your branch?
I met some Air Force engineers and a recruiter at a career fair hosted by my college, and that meeting led to the adventure of a lifetime. I wanted to serve because I wanted to make a difference and also thought fighter jets were an engineering marvel.
How did your time in the military prepare you for life outside of service, including your position at the ARM Institute?
The military forced me to be bad at so many new things, and really learn to appreciate the process of growth and learning. With that comes confidence to really put myself out there, because it can’t be worse than that time I pronounced altimeter “Alt-TEE-meter” in front of 20 some pilots or that other time that I’m too embarrassed to share publicly. I think this helps with the ARM Institute mission of challenging the status quo and pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
Do you have advice for those transitioning out of the military?
Ask questions. Find mentors. Keep in touch with your network of military members that have already made the transition, and lean on them.
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ABOUT THE ARM INSTITUTE
The Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute is a Manufacturing Innovation Institute (MII) funded by the Office of the Secretary of Defense under Agreement Number W911NF-17-3-0004 and is part of the Manufacturing USA® network. The ARM Institute leverages a unique, robust, and diverse ecosystem of nearly 400 consortium members and partners across industry, academia, and government to make robotics, autonomy, and artificial intelligence more accessible to U.S. manufacturers large and small, train and empower the manufacturing workforce, strengthen our economy and global competitiveness, and elevate national security and resilience. Based in Pittsburgh, PA since 2017, with a satellite office in St. Petersburg, FL, the ARM Institute is leading the way to a future where people & robots work together to respond to our nation’s greatest challenges and to produce the world’s most desired products. For more information, visit www.arminstitute.org and follow the ARM Institute on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter).