An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article Display
NEWS | Sept. 28, 2022

LRC Italy lead union representative enjoys solving issues for her team, opportunities to grow

By Cameron Porter 405th Army Field Support Brigade

Arianna Cappetti has called Livorno her home her entire life.

As a young woman in Livorno, she applied for a job with the U.S. Army and was hired at nearby Camp Darby where she started working as an administration specialist for the directorate of public works. The year was 1985.

Thirty seven years later, she’s still working for the Army but now as the lead labor union representative and liaison between the Italian local national workforce and the Army at Camp Darby and Leghorn Army Depot.

Cappetti, who is assigned to Logistics Readiness Center Italy, 405th Army Field Support Brigade, said in 2003 she became a member of one of two 10-person union groups supporting the Livorno area, and in 2018 she was selected to lead that group.

“We have a lot of employees here so I stay rather busy,” Cappetti said. “For example, I will assist if there is a safety issue or a relationship problem at the workplace. And I always try to solve these issues and problems at the lowest level.”

It’s not just solving problems and issues, either, she said.

“We work with the joint commission and review the contracts every four years. And when we have a contract renewal, we ensure the benefits are included. We’ll even try to increase the benefits whenever possible,” Cappetti said.

“Changes within a contract are not only monetary,” said Cappetti. “The most important changes are normally inside the articles of the contract that change the work requirements.”

Being a lead labor union representative requires a lot of communication and dedication, but there’s a lot of satisfaction that comes with the job, too, said Cappetti, who also serves as an administration specialist at LRC Italy.

“When I solve a problem for an employee and at the same time solve a problem for management, this is one of my greatest satisfactions,” said Cappetti, who added that she really enjoys making an impact on the workforce and the organization, whenever possible.

“For example, when there is a reduction announcement this can be a very stressful time for the workforce,” she said. “Their work is a part of their lives. As the lead union representative when I help with something as serious as this, I’m helping to solve life problems.”

Cappetti said she also enjoys working for the Army because of the many opportunities.

“Opportunities to gain more responsibility and grow are important,” she said. “Daily I’m in contact with a different culture where I’m required to speak another language so it’s not boring. Every day is a new day, and every day I learn something new.” 

One of the most important things about work, in addition to the economic portion, is the ability to grow, said Cappetti, who has a 26-year-old daughter.

“The Army gives its employees the opportunity to grow,” she added.

LRC Italy is one of seven LRCs under the command and control of the 405th AFSB. LRCs execute installation logistics support and services to include supply, maintenance, and transportation as well as clothing issue facility operations, hazardous material management, personal property and household goods, passenger travel, non-tactical vehicle and garrison equipment management, and property book operations. When it comes to providing day-to-day installation services, LRC Italy directs, manages and coordinates a variety of operations and activities in support of U.S. Army Garrison Italy.

LRC Italy reports to the 405th AFSB, which is assigned to U.S. Army Sustainment Command and under the operational control of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, U.S. Army Europe and Africa. The brigade is headquartered in Kaiserslautern, Germany, and provides materiel enterprise support to U.S. Forces throughout Europe and Africa – providing theater sustainment logistics; synchronizing acquisition, logistics and technology; and leveraging U.S. Army Materiel Command’s materiel enterprise to support joint forces. For more information on the 405th AFSB, visit the official website at www.afsbeurope.army.mil and the official Facebook site at www.facebook.com/405thAFSB.