Travis civilian worker nears 50 years of service

Published March 7, 2011
By Mr. Nick DeCicco
60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE,Calif. -- Speaking about the role Jo Cobb plays in her life, Claudette Day walks behind her desk to grab a tissue to dab her eyes.

"She's like a surrogate mother," said Mrs. Day, a computer technical supporter with the 60th Contracting Squadron."I can talk to her about anything."

It's Mrs. Cobb's warm nature that has touched Mrs. Day as well as made her such a key component of the 60th CONS for nearly a half a century.

On April 3, Mrs. Cobb, a contracting officer, will celebrate 50 years of government service.

The Trenton, N.J., native has always had a strong work ethic, admitting that she used to lie about her age to employers before she was 16.

"When they found out, they would fire me and then I'd go find another job," she said with a laugh. "I think working is good for the soul."

In 1955, Mrs. Cobb married her husband, Jay, who she met when he was stationed at McGuire Air Force Base, N.J. His career took the couple to Sewart Air Force Base, Tenn., which closed in 1971, and Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks, Alaska.

Mrs. Cobb was working at the Base Exchange at Eielson when she began her government service in 1961, taking a temporary position.

That position turned out to not be quite so temporary, sparking a career with the federal government that has spanned five decades.

"I never thought I would work for the government," she said. "I never thought I would be doing this for this long, but one year kind of rolls into the next."

Only two years after her service began, Mr. and Mrs. Cobb arrived at Travis Air Force Base in 1963.

Mrs. Cobb has seen the base change greatly in nearly 50 years, recalling a time when the lone traffic light between I-80 and the base's main gate was at Dover Avenue in Fairfield, as well as a sign advertising new homes from $12,500 to $17,500.

She also remembers a time in the 1970s when bats flew through the ceilings of the contracting offices, before the squadron moved down to the first floor.

She has seen much of the base's history, remembering giving food and rice to refugees from Vietnam and greeting prisoners of war upon arrival back in America.

"I really can't believe 50 years has come and gone," she said. "When you're happy and enjoy what you do, the time really goes fast."

In 1973, Mrs. Cobb began working in the contracting office. There she found her life's work and something Mrs. Day said became her passion.

"She loves contracting," said Mrs. Day. "We sit down at that lunch table with the pretense of eating lunch, but we always talk about work."

Cora Armstrong, 60th CONS chief of services for the base support and acquistions flight, is also part of Mrs. Cobb's lunch crew. She said with nearly 50 years, Mrs. Cobb brings a wealth of experience that can't be taught.

"She comes from the old school," said Mrs. Armstrong, who has 36 years of experience herself. She notes that the pair worked in contracting in an era before things such as computers and government purchase cards.

"She's very committed," she said, noting that Mrs. Cobb regularly shows a willingness to go the extra mile or put in additional hours to get the job done.

It's because of her deep commitment to people, said Mrs. Day.

"She has an obligation," Mrs. Day said. "She will not let them down. She's always there for them."

Looking toward the future, Mrs. Cobb isn't sure when she's going to "stop and smell the roses," she said. She said that it has been a standing joke in the contracting offices for the last decade that each passing year is the one when she will finally retire.

In truth, the contracting officer with nearly 50 years of government experience doesn't knew when she's going to have her last day.

"I don't know when, but I know I won't be putting in another 50," she said with a laugh. "If you come and work with a good attitude and love your job, you'll be okay."