Building a legacy at home: How the PFI Program brought one soldier to Chattanooga's Chickamauga Lock

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Aug. 31, 2026) – For many service members, military duty means extended periods away from home, deploying to distant countries, and executing high-stakes missions. But for Army Reserve Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Lane, his latest assignment offered a rare and rewarding opportunity, the chance to put on the uniform and build a legacy in his own hometown.

Through the Personnel Force Innovation Program, Lane is currently serving as a quality assurance representative on the monumental Chickamauga Lock Replacement Project with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District. His journey to the critical infrastructure project on the Tennessee River in Chattanooga, Tennessee, highlights the immense value of the PFI Program, not just for the government agencies that gain highly skilled personnel, but for the service members who gain invaluable civilian career experience.

Personnel force innovation advantage

The PFI program is a unique initiative that provides National Guard and Reserve service members with the opportunity to serve on voluntary active-duty assignments with the Department of War and other government agencies. Participants receive full active duty pay and benefits during these tours, which typically last one to three years.

By matching military talent with critical government missions, the program allows service members to apply their unique military and civilian skill sets. For many, like Lane, PFI assignments serve as a powerful catalyst for professional development, acting as a bridge to civilian careers while enabling them to continue their military service and build lasting professional networks.

A career of dedicated service

Lane’s path to the Chickamauga Lock Replacement Project is paved with over a decade of diverse military experience. Joining the U.S. Army in active duty back in 2012, he spent four years at Fort Carson, Colorado, serving as a heavy equipment operator, which included a deployment to Kuwait in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Transitioning to the Army Reserve in 2016, he joined the 390th Engineer Company in Chattanooga, and later deployed to Djibouti, Africa in 2018 to support joint operations alongside Navy and special operations forces. Following his promotion to sergeant first class in 2023 with the 375th Engineer Company in Huntsville, Alabama, he served as a Platoon Sergeant and took on the role of senior instructor for Cadet Command at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, shaping the next generation of Army leaders.

In 2025, an unexpected phone call from his operations sergeant changed his trajectory. Learning about the PFI program while spending time with his family, Lane recognized a unique opportunity and decided to apply.

A hometown connection

For Lane, the Chickamauga Lock Replacement Project is more than just an engineering feat; it’s a personal milestone.

“I was born and raised in Chattanooga, so the Chickamauga Lock Replacement Project has always been something I’ve followed,” Lane shared. “I remember being a freshman in high school when the project first started. Being able to come back years later, wear the uniform, and contribute to such a critical infrastructure project in my hometown was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.”

Beyond the geographic ties, the PFI assignment allowed him to continue his service without the extended family separation that often accompanies military duties.

Ensuring quality on a massive scale

In his traditional Army assignments, Lane deeply immersed himself in mission-focused, operational duties. At Chickamauga Lock, his role is heavily construction driven, requiring a sharp eye for technical specifications and long-term project outcomes.

As a quality assurance representative, a typical day for Lane is spent out in the field conducting critical inspections, observing construction activities, and coordinating tightly with contractors. His primary focus has been on concrete finishing operations, a significant pivot from his background as a heavy equipment operator.

“The biggest challenge was transitioning from a heavy equipment background into an area like concrete construction and finishing,” he noted. “At the same time, that challenge has been the most rewarding part of the assignment because it has expanded my construction knowledge and helped me develop new technical skills.”

Lane said the secret to success in quality assurance goes far beyond the inspection itself.

“Most people only see the inspection itself, but the real work starts long before that. A significant amount of preparation, planning, document review, and coordination goes into ensuring an inspection can be completed successfully,” he added.

He credits his military background with giving him the foundational skills necessary to thrive in this environment. Whether on a battlefield or a construction site, he emphasizes that communication, teamwork, and mission focus translate directly to project success.

Milestones, mentorship, and leaving a legacy

During his time on the project, Lane has played a key role in several major construction activities, including concrete finishing, beam painting inspections, and the highly anticipated placement of the upstream approach wall beams.

“The placement of the upstream approach wall beams stands out as my most memorable moment,” he reflected. “Watching months of planning and coordination come together during such a significant construction milestone was incredibly rewarding.”

Through his PFI assignment, Lane has not only broadened his construction knowledge but also learned how to effectively balance collaboration with civilian contractors while enforcing rigorous quality standards. He notes that the Chickamauga team provides a highly supportive, family-friendly environment filled with professionals eager to mentor and teach.

When asked what advice he has for other National Guard or Reserve members considering a PFI assignment, his answer is clear:

“Take the opportunity. It may feel like a risk stepping into something outside your comfort zone, but the experience is worth it,” Lane said. “Supporting critical projects here at home can be just as rewarding and meaningful as serving overseas.”

Personnel Force Innovation (PFI) is an Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) program assigned to DFAS and is designed to support Department of Defense agencies with Defense Working Capital Funds or Foreign Military Sales funds. PFI processes and assigns military manpower from the reserve components to perform critical work at these agencies in order to support the DoD mission. Soldiers and Airmen are used to cover surge work, critical specialty skills, or to fill a gap while the appropriate civilians are hired or service members assigned. For more information on the Personnel Force Innovation program, visit https://www.dfas.mil/PFI/.

The public can obtain news, updates and information from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District on the district’s website at https://www.lrd.usace.army.mil/About/Districts/Nashville-District/, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/nashvillecorps and on X (formerly Twitter) at http://www.x.com/nashvillecorps. Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest Nashville District employment and contracting opportunities at https://www.linkedin.com/company/u-s-army-corps-of-engineers-nashville-district.

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