Marine Corps Logistics Base, Calif. -- Less than ten percent of the Department of Defense’s financial managers are certified by the American Society of Military Comptrollers, on Aug. 28, one of Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow’s supervisor financial management analyst’s was presented a certificate of achievement for becoming a certified financial manager.
Lorella A. Garcia, the command’s fifth recipient, was presented the award to recognize the hard work she put in to become certified.
The road that led to her certification began by taking two training courses to learn the required material on the certification exams. The exams consist of three modules, asking 80 questions each with a two-hour time limit, explained Garcia, a Barstow native.
“I took the first test and as soon as you press submit it immediately gives you a notice, it said congratulations. I was dreading it would say otherwise,” said Garcia. “I did that three times that day and each time I was just as stressed to press the submit button, but they all came out positive.”
The tests cover a wide range of financial topics on the budget process. The tests are usually spread out and taken over time, however Garcia took them all at once.
Garcia spent many years succeeding on the job and earned her bachelor’s degree before taking the exams.
“It takes years of training plus on the job experience to have the knowledge to become certified,” said Conni Andrews, MCLB comptroller and Garcia’s supervisor in the comptroller department aboard MCLB Barstow.
Garcia and Andrews have a long history. They met on base in 1981 in the repair division, today known as the Marine Depot Maintenance Command. It was during these early years that Andrews recognized Garcia’s hard work ethic.
“She was very conscious about work,” said Andrews. “Whatever subject she was involved in she was extremely knowledgeable.”
Both women have been working together in the comptroller department for at least 20 years now, explained Andrews.
Aside from the tests to become certified, Garcia went above and beyond on the job to receive the achievement certificate from the command.
“It took blood sweat and tears,” said the newly certified financial manager.
Garcia explains working on base in the comptroller department is an extremely busy job, but a rewarding one. The government provides many opportunities for goals and development, she added.
Garcia has been working on this base for 33 years. She started at age 18 as a clerk typist for a summer hire at the MDMC. After working four years there, she spent the next 29 years at the comptroller’s department.
“The comptroller is an extremely busy department,” explained Garcia. “We are constantly working on travel budgets, one of our major functions, and the internal control program.”
Garcia said her favorite and most memorable part of her job are the people surrounding her.
“We’re like a close knit family, that’s what makes up the workforce,” Garcia explained smiling.
Andrews and Garcia maintain a professional relationship but enhance cohesion during work related trips. One trip in particular, to Washington D.C. during a 2010 snow storm left the two stranded in their hotel room for several days.
The professional bond grew during the time they spent stranded together. The women talked about everything from work to their hobbies, explained Andrews.
Garcia is someone who is very detailed and works extremely hard to get the job done the first time. She definitely deserved the award, explained her supervisor.
“I was very excited and honored to be presented in front of my peers and the command,” said Garcia.
She was completely unaware of the scheduled ceremony held to present her the certificate. Co-workers and friends eagerly waited in the foyer of the Headquarters building aboard MCLB Barstow for her arrival. When Garcia walked in to a smiling crowd and Col. Michael L. Scalise, commanding officer of MCLB Barstow, to present her the certificate of achievement she was astounded.
“I feel like I achieved a major goal, especially for this career field,” explained Garcia.
Lorella Garcia thanked her mom for instilling her with the work ethic that got her this far in her career.
“She raised me as a single parent with six kids, she had great work ethic and I learned by that,” said the laborious employee.
“There are things out there that you can take advantage of, there are plenty of opportunities for everyone,” said Garcia. “I encourage the younger workforce to follow in those footsteps and take advantage of the opportunities throughout their careers.”
Garcia is proud of her accomplishments and where she stands in her job field, and hopes to pursue a leadership certificate in the near future.
“The sky is the limit,” said Garcia proudly, as she reflected back on her 33 years of hard work on this base.