David Souther
Fort Riley,Kansas
Summary
Management Professional and Military Veteran with an Active Secret Security Clearance and 18+ years of experience in leading, mentoring, and developing teams to accomplish complex missions in high-pressure environments. Skilled in fostering confidence among teammates, setting the standard for discipline and professionalism, and implementing rigorous training programs that enhance unit readiness. Experienced in maintaining accountability for over $25 million in equipment, ensuring operational efficiency and compliance. Adept at strategic planning, problem-solving, and decision-making, with a track record of anticipating challenges and mitigating risks. Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills, earning trust and credibility among peers and leadership while coordinating large-scale training exercises and cross-functional operations. Career supported by a degree in Human Resource Management.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Unit Manager
United States Army
Fort Riley, Kansas
01.2023 - Current
- Led the planning, organization, and execution of 15+ team training exercises, ensuring 100% operational readiness and qualification
- Maintained 100% accountability of five M1A2 SEP V2 tanks and all team equipment valued at $27M+ across three major training operations
- Developed and enforced high military standards, increasing team discipline and morale among 12+ employees and supervisors, leading to zero disciplinary issues
- Mentored and trained four new tank team leaders and five team members, resulting in a 100% first-time qualification rate during Gunnery Table VI
- Served as the Range Safety Officer for 10+ live-fire exercises, ensuring zero incidents and maintaining a 100% safety compliance rate
- Coordinated logistics and resource allocation for multi-unit field exercises, optimizing operational efficiency and reducing equipment downtime by 20%
Operations Manager
United States Army
Fort Moore, Georgia
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Led the night processing operations for one of the Army’s largest Initial Entry Training (IET) Reception Battalions, in-processing over 24,000 trainees annually and ensuring seamless transitions to training units
- Served as the Atlanta Airport Liaison, coordinating transportation for 9,000+ IET personnel annually with zero safety incidents or accountability issues
- Supervised and optimized the in-processing schedule for over 1,000 trainees per week, ensuring all personnel met required training ship timelines
- Spearheaded improvements to initial personnel processing, increasing efficiency and achieving a 95% success rate during the rated period
- Maintained resilience and adaptability in a high-tempo environment, processing up to 800 trainees weekly while navigating evolving COVID-19 risk mitigation procedures
- Facilitated interagency coordination to streamline procedures, reducing trainee processing time by 15%
Senior Drill Instructor
United States Army
Fort Moore, Georgia
01.2019 - 01.2022
- Managed the intake and processing of over 1,000 new employees weekly, ensuring accurate documentation, medical screenings, and seamless onboarding with zero administrative errors
- Developed and implemented a health and safety testing protocol for new hires, ensuring 100% accuracy in screenings and preventing workplace health risks for over 20,000 personnel
- Coordinated the transportation and logistics for 3,000 employees from a major transit hub to company training facilities, ensuring on-time arrivals and 100% accountability
- Trained, mentored, and supervised a team of 10 supervisors, streamlining onboarding processes, reducing processing time, and improving overall operational efficiency
- Conducted workplace safety, ethics, and professional conduct training for over 15,000 new employees, reinforcing company values and setting expectations for a productive work environment
Tank Supervisor
United States Army
Fort Carson, Colorado
01.2015 - 01.2019
- Operated and maintained M1 Abrams tanks, ensuring 100% combat readiness for over 50 live-fire training exercises and operational deployments
- Led and trained a team of 8 armor crew members, improving operational efficiency and achieving a 100% qualification rate during live-fire exercises
- Supervised the maintenance and accountability of 5+ armored vehicles and associated equipment valued at over $30M, ensuring operational readiness and zero safety violations
- Coordinated and executed tactical maneuvers in 20+ simulated and live combat scenarios, enhancing unit preparedness and strategic effectiveness
- Mentored and trained 10+ junior personnel in weapons systems, vehicle operations, and battlefield tactics, fostering professional development and leadership growth
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Human Resource Management
American Public University
Certified Production Technician - Safety, Quality Practices & Measurements, MFG Processes and Production, Maintenance Awareness
Washburn Institute of Technology
05.2025
OSHA 10 – General Industry -
CareerSafe
05.2025
Forklift Operator Certification -
Washburn Institute of Technology
05.2025
Skills
- Operational Management
- Team Development
- Inventory Management
- Safety
- Resource Allocation
- Project Management
- Communication Systems
- HR
- Risk Management
- Microsoft Office
- Teams
- Mac
- Microsoft Windows
Specialized Military Experience
- Senior Leadership Course
- Advanced Leadership Course
- Basic Leadership Course
- Drill Sergeant Course
- Hazardous Materials Driver Course
Timeline
Unit Manager
United States Army
01.2023 - Current
Operations Manager
United States Army
01.2022 - 01.2023
Senior Drill Instructor
United States Army
01.2019 - 01.2022
Tank Supervisor
United States Army
01.2015 - 01.2019
Bachelor of Arts - Human Resource Management
American Public University
Certified Production Technician - Safety, Quality Practices & Measurements, MFG Processes and Production, Maintenance Awareness
Washburn Institute of Technology
OSHA 10 – General Industry -
CareerSafe
Forklift Operator Certification -
Washburn Institute of Technology