Zach Simons, left, receives a plaque Aug. 16 from Rear Adm. Mike Zarkowski, Commander, Fleet Readiness Centers (COMFRC), signifying 40 years of federal service. Simons began his federal career by enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps in August 1977, and serving for five years and 10 months. His first assignment following Boot Camp was as a Light (1/2-ton) to Heavy (10-ton) truck driver and mechanic. He later became a hydraulic system mechanic for KC-130F/R aircraft. Following his discharge from the Marine Corps, Simons served in the U.S. Air Force Reserve for eight years as a C141 and KC10 hydraulic mechanic. He began his civil service career in 1983 as an aircraft worker at Naval Air Rework Facility Cherry Point, North Carolina (now known as FRC East), working on landing gear and associated components for a variety of aircraft. He was promoted in 2000 as an Industrial Engineering Technician, where he helped create Component Unit Prices (CUP)/Routers/Bill of Materials/Work Decks. He transferred to COMFRC in 2015 and is a Business Financial Management Analyst to assist with components financial data. Simons plans to retire in December 2018. (U.S. Navy photo/released)