DLA Joint Reserve Force director visits DLA Distribution San Joaquin

TRACY, California – DLA Joint Reserve Force director Navy Rear Adm. Deborah Haven and Command Master Chief Bill Sherman visited the DLA Distribution Operations Team San Joaquin Aug. 5 at DLA Distribution San Joaquin, California.

Haven’s morning kicked off with the DOT unit’s commanding officer Cmdr. (Sel) Brendan Kearney providing the unit briefing. The topics covered included current manning status, readiness factors and mission support summary.

Haven praised the unit’s efforts and achievements. Further, she emphasized that DLA is a joint force and seeking proper support and effective cooperation from the reserve components and from other service branches could potentially strengthen the unit’s diversity and maximize the contributory support capabilities.

Upon conclusion of the unit brief, DLA Distribution San Joaquin commander Marine Col. Andre Harrell provided her the organization’s command overview explaining the mission and capabilities of the distribution center. Further, he discussed the cohesive relationship with the reserve unit supporting the mission at San Joaquin.

Next, Haven was taken on a tour in the mission area. The first stop was at the Preservation, Packaging, Packing and Marking warehouse. Prior to receiving the brief of the mission, she stopped and spoke with 16 Navy reservists who are performing Active Duty for Special Work in support of the PPPM mission. She thanked them for their support to San Joaquin and DLA.

The next stop was the Bin Warehouse, the main work site of the DLA Distribution Operations Team sailors. The supervisor explained the operation procedure of pick, pack and stow and the Job Breakdown Sheet operational standards which all reservists have been trained since the beginning of the fiscal year.

Haven was pleased that the sailors aligned with the civilian workers’ operational standards and expressed her appreciation to work center supervisor Domingo Reyes for his dedication to the reservists in training them on the JBS during their drill weekends. He also consistently performed audits to maintain high standards in their contributory support.

In the bin packing area, Haven talked to each sailor at the sorting stations where they all had their JBS in hand following the procedures and operations. Haven took the opportunity to observe the sailors in action while explaining the process. Her last stop was at the Consolidation and Containerization Point, the distribution center’s international hub.

Haven provided positive feedback upon conclusion of her visit with the San Joaquin team. “Col. Harrell and his team have done an absolutely fantastic job of integrating the DOT San Joaquin Reserve team into their operation. It was clear that he and his staff invested in training our Reservists and the Reservists were fully employed and enjoying employment. My takeaway was that the Reservists felt valued by the leadership and they were enthusiastically engaged,” she commented. “A win-win operation for everyone, especially our warfighter customers. Col. Harrell’s approach is one for all to emulate.”