Rosanne Fiorelli is a dedicated, remarkable Army civilian

Rosanne Fiorelli, a budget analyst with the Reserve Component Automation System/Force Management System (RCAS/FMS), will celebrate 50 years of service as a Department of the Army civilian employee on Nov. 26, 2023. We caught up with her recently to learn about her life and career advancement with the Army over the past five decades. 

Tell us a bit about your 50-year civilian career with the Army.

I started my career at the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive & Armaments Command (TACOM) in Warren, Michigan in November 1973 and worked in various offices as a clerk-typist/secretary-typist, but my most memorable working experience was at the M1 Abrams Program Office where the M1 Abrams tank was developed. Over 13 years, I worked in different offices and gained a lot of knowledge. I relocated to Fort Polk, Louisiana as the secretary to the chief of the M1 materiel fielding team and then moved to Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama as the secretary to the Chief of Base Operations and Training Division before coming to Virginia in July 1990. I got a job with RCAS as a secretary-typist in the front office to assist the general’s secretary. Eventually, I became the management assistant to the Chief of Resource Management and Administration Division. Then I moved to the program budget branch where I began transitioning from management assistant duties to budget analyst tasks. During that time, I took several online courses and Defense Acquisition University resident courses. Over the following 30 years, I gradually advanced in my career to become a budget analyst.   

What do you do in your current role at PEO EIS?

As a budget analyst with the RCAS/FMS office, I ensure that the multiple funding appropriations received for RCAS, FMS and the Defense Readiness Reporting System-Army are executed throughout the fiscal year in accordance with the approved spend plans, while processing various obligating documents.   

Where were you born and raised?

I was born in Detroit but raised in Warren, a suburb of the Detroit metropolitan area. I grew up a couple of miles from TACOM where I started my federal government career. In mid-September 2023, I traveled back to Michigan to attend my 50-year high school class reunion, which was a lot of fun.   

What made you decide to become an Army civilian?

During my senior year in high school, I took the civil service exam that was offered. After graduating, I received a call for employment.

What do you most enjoy about working at PEO EIS?

The workforce and the willingness to support each other. 

How have Army civilian roles for women changed since you started your career?

There were limited opportunities for women when I started my career. Times have changed over the years, so roles for women have changed. Hopefully, whatever roles women want to achieve today, there are opportunities for that to happen and for them to be welcomed.

What advice would you give to people starting in federal service careers?

A federal service career is great for many reasons, including job stability, training opportunities for career growth and salary increases, as well as the experience of meeting and working with interesting people. I encourage new government employees to embrace those learning opportunities when they come along.

What do you enjoy doing outside of the office?

I enjoy going for walks around my neighborhood for exercise and meeting neighbors along the way. I also like to relax while watching various shows on the Food Network, HGTV and the Hallmark Channel.        

Anything else you’d like to share?

I am very grateful for the various opportunities I have received and the people I have met over the years. I have a successful career and many lasting friendships that I cherish today.