Kaylee Templeman

Nick: For someone who doesn’t understand what you do, can you explain it simply?

Kaylee: On the requirements side, there’s a Title 10 mandate to identify what keeps combatant commanders up at night. Each command submits a ranked list of their top 20 issues.

For TRANSCOM, that usually centers on transportation. Aircraft readiness. Rail movement. Ports. Mobility systems.

That list rolls up to the Joint Force.

Nick: What happens after that list is submitted?

Kaylee: It goes to Congress and informs the National Defense Authorization Act. What we work on now impacts budgets three to five years out.

Our job is to make sure our four-star has the information needed to advocate for funding. It’s a continuous cycle. Identify needs. Validate them. Fight for the resources to keep TRANSCOM moving.

Nick: Commanders rotate every few years. How do you maintain consistency?

Kaylee: The civilian leadership and subject matter experts provide that continuity. Many have been there 10 to 15 years. They bridge transitions between commanders.

Many of the issues remain consistent. We’re asking for significant funding for long-term sustainment. Those needs do not disappear year to year.

Nick: TRANSCOM has a growing role in space. What does that look like?

Kaylee: We’re still outlining the requirements. What would we move? How long would it stay? Who would we partner with?

Once those requirements are defined, they enter the same funding cycle as everything else. It’s evolving, but the process remains disciplined.

Nick: You started as a government intern. How did that happen?

Kaylee: I was a graduate assistant while earning my master’s degree. A professor connected me to an internship program.

At that point, I did not know what I wanted to do long term. I moved through GS levels, but during COVID the job became remote spreadsheet work. It was not fulfilling.

When an opportunity opened at UNCOMN, I took it. What started as a transition became a role I genuinely enjoy.

Nick: What did you study?

Kaylee: My bachelor’s degree is in Computer Management and Information Systems. My master’s is in Instructional Design.

It was not a straight path, but both helped prepare me for requirements work. There is a lot of coordination, communication, and translating complex ideas into clear direction.

Nick: What is something people overlook?

Kaylee: I do not think people take logistics seriously enough.

Things do not just appear where you need them. There is planning, movement, cost, timing, and coordination behind everything.

If I could make everyone care about one thing, it would be that logistics is foundational. Without it, nothing moves.

Nick: COVID reminded people of that.

Kaylee: It did. Hopefully that awareness continues as unified campaign plans are updated.

Nick: When you talk about Zero Trust and secure communications, is that one requirement?

Kaylee: No. It breaks into multiple requirements depending on the system. Aircraft. Ships. Communication networks.

The goal is protected communications and clear data visibility. But each system has different technical considerations. Those become separate requirements.

Nick: You have said you love what you do. Why?

Kaylee: I take pride in supporting the warfighter.

There was a moment last year where a small group of us were in a room with senior leadership, and the commander openly discussed her priorities before leaving command. That is rare.

To take that insight and help turn it into action matters.

Nick: You grew up in a military family. Does that influence your perspective?

Kaylee: Yes. My dad deployed often during the early 2000s. I had not fully connected it before, but it shapes the pride I feel.

Knowing what service members and their families go through makes this work personal. If what we do helps them be prepared and come home safely, that is meaningful.