My DCMA: Samantha Jackson, Keystone contract administrator
SAN DIEGO – My DCMA showcases the Defense Contract Management Agency’s experienced and dedicated workforce and highlights what being part of the national defense team means to them. Today, Samantha Jackson shares her story.
My name is Samantha Jackson, and this is “My DCMA.” I am a contract administrator at DCMA Southern California based in San Diego. DCMA Southern California is a part of the Geographic & Systems Support Command. I am a member of the Keystone program.
My job duties include managing the full life cycle of various contracts including firm fixed price, cost-plus fixed fee, cost-plus award fee, basic ordering agreements, grants, and indefinite delivery contracts, among others. I communicate regularly with stakeholders to keep contract execution on track and maintain organized files to support audit readiness and program continuity. Two of the programs I support include the aircraft arresting gear and the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System.
I have been a part of the DCMA team for almost four years. I spent one year as a procurement technician before transitioning into my current role. I enjoy working at DCMA because it lets me continue to serve the defense mission from a different vantage point. I spent eight years in the Navy within the Naval Construction Force, better known as the Seabees, serving on the front lines during Operation Iraqi Freedom as a construction electrician. That role required me to read blueprints, install lighting systems, build structures and provide electrical support in multiple countries around the world. That experience built a foundation of technical precision, adaptability and mission-first thinking that I carry directly into my work at DCMA today.
One of the great things about working at my location is being part of such a strong team. I’m grateful for the people I work with, and their support genuinely shapes how effective and motivated I feel. My team members give me space to make mistakes and grow from them, and they patiently field the many questions I bring their way. At the same time, they hold me to a higher standard, and I owe much of my growth to their willingness to challenge me. Being a contract administrator is an ever-evolving role, and every day brings a new challenge or lesson depending on your perception. My team plays a key part in helping me to embrace constant change and use them as opportunities to grow.
DCMA is important to America’s warfighters because they ensure the warfighter receives the equipment, supplies and services needed at the best quality to continue whatever mission is in front of them. I still maintain close friendships with service members currently on active duty, and I speak with them often about my work at DCMA. Through these conversations, several of them now have DCMA on their radar as an option for their next chapter. Simply hearing me speak about the mission and the work I provide to support them has planted that seed, and it feels good to know that my experience can open the door for someone I care about.
In 2027, my first goal is to graduate from the Keystone program in March. I applied to the Keystone program because it presented a genuine opportunity for growth within DCMA. It was something new to me, and I was excited to see where the experience would lead. Over the last several years, the program has taught me that working behind the scenes never diminishes the visibility or the meaning of the work being done. Every contribution carries weight, even when it happens outside of the spotlight. A true highlight of the program has been the chance to meet new people and shadow colleagues across different areas through the rotations. This has broadened my perspective on the agency and the mission.
Looking forward, my next career goal centers on working toward becoming an administrative contracting officer and earning a warrant. I am committed to continuous learning, and I look forward to seeking new challenges and educational opportunities that push me to grow further.
My favorite hobbies include traveling, gardening, reading thrillers, writing poetry and playing board games. A unique passion I have is interior decorating. I enjoy transforming spaces with the same creativity and attention to detail I bring to my work.
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