About the Defense Logistics Agency

As the nation’s combat logistics support agency, the Defense Logistics Agency manages the end-to-end global defense supply chain – from raw materials to end user disposition – for the five military services, 11 combatant commands, other federal, state and local agencies and partner and allied nations.
 
DLA’s mission is to “Drive and sustain Warfighter readiness by delivering unmatched global support as the Nation’s Logistics Combat Support Agency.” To accomplish this mission, DLA has a staff of about 25,000 employees divided into multiple supply chains that contract for material and services across the military classes of supply, to include: subsistence (food/water), clothing and textiles, bulk petroleum and other energy products, construction material and equipment, personal demand items, medical material and equipment, and repair parts for land, sea and air systems.

DLA Quick Facts

As a logistics integrator and acquisition/service provider:

  • DLA procures items from manufacturers and suppliers and provides them to DoD and other federal/state customers, with services such as warehousing, packaging and transportation;
  • DLA contracts for items that are shipped directly by the manufacturer to military units and installations;
  • DLA provided more than $47.1 billion in goods and services for fiscal 2023;
  • DLA disposes of excess military property through reutilization, resale and demilitarization programs.

The agency supports:

  • A worldwide warehouse and distribution services network;
  • Logistics and staff planning support to DoD’s combatant commands;
  • Operations that reutilize or dispose of excess materiel and environmental waste from the military services.
 
DLA fact sheet cover
 
Download DLA's Fact Sheet (PDF)
for a print-friendly overview of the organization's logistics roles and responsibilities

Major Subordinate Commands

  • DLA Troop Support, Philadelphia
    Manages the supply chains for food, textiles, construction material and medical supplies and equipment, including pharmaceuticals.

  • DLA Aviation, Richmond, Virginia
    Manages the supply chain for aviation weapons systems repair parts, flight safety equipment, maps, consumable hardware, environmental products and industrial plant systems. 

  • DLA Land and Maritime, Columbus, Ohio
    Manages the supply chain for ground-based and maritime weapons systems repair parts, consumable hardware, small arms parts and fluid-handling systems. 

  • DLA Energy, Fort Belvoir, Virginia
    Manages the supply chain for petroleum and lubrication products, alternative fuel and renewable energy, and aerospace energy; provides fuel quality/technical support, fuel card programs and installation energy services.

  • DLA Distribution, New Cumberland, Pennsylvania
    Provides storage and distribution solutions and management, transportation planning and management, logistics planning and contingency operations; operates a global network of distribution centers.

  • DLA Disposition Services, Battle Creek, Michigan
    Disposes of excess property by reutilization, transfer and demilitarization; conducts environmental disposal and reuse. 

Strategy and Business Services

What DLA Offers

The Defense Logistics Agency manages the end-to-end global defense supply chain – from raw materials to end user disposition – for the five military services, 11 combatant commands, other federal, state and local agencies partner and allied nations.

Regional Commands

Working with DLA

Learn how to do business with various organizations within DLA and DLA's Major Subordinate Commands throughout the world.

Resources

Find a Location

Map of DLA Locations

Learn About DLA's History

Classic depiction of an old US Army Richmond Quartermaster Depot

Meet DLA Senior Leadership

A portrait of Lieutenant General Mark T. Simerly in front of American and three-star army flags, over a background featuring the DLA emblem

Strategic Plan

Cover image for the DLA Strategic Plan 2025 - 2030 book
 

The DLA Strategic Plan 2025-2030 identifies four transformative imperatives that will provide DLA with its focus: people, precision, posture, and partnerships. The imperatives were informed by a deliberate agency assessment and feedback from DLA’s past and present leaders, Military Services, Combatant Commands, our Allies and partners, and industry associates:

  • People: Build Organizational Agility Through Our People and Culture 
  • Precision: Calibrate Resilient and Responsive Logistics Solutions in Support of Military Readiness 
  • Posture: Enhance Support to Integrated Deterrence Across the Continuum of Conflict in Contested Logistics Environments
  • Partnerships: Lead Logistics Interoperability Across the Department, Allies, Whole of Government, and Industrial Base

Videos


DLA is a big agency with a big mission, but it couldn't be successful without hardworking employees. This video highlights how the DLA team is connected and valuable to mission success around the world.


Or learn more about the basics of the organization through the DLA 101 playlist.