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News | July 30, 2019

Religious supply chain newsletter to highlight logistics trends, holiday ordering schedules  

By Beth Reece

A new quarterly newsletter from the Defense Logistics Agency command chaplain gives customers insight into the religious supply chain and order times for religious holidays.

“The newsletter will help increase our dialog with customers and highlight the depth of support we’re able to provide to our military customers and Department of Veterans Affairs chaplains,” said Army Col. Bob Wichman, DLA chaplain.

The inaugural issue includes a message from the chaplain and an article on logistics readiness by Religious Affairs Specialist Army Sgt. 1st Class Apollo Stoewer. Upcoming religious holidays, items commonly ordered for those observances and ordering schedules are also highlighted to help chaplains support service members and families outside of their faith group. 

“New chaplains come in with the idea they can just go down to the store and get something. They’re not logisticians, and using DLA’s online ordering system can be overwhelming for them,” Wichman said, adding that the newsletter will contain points of contact for customers who need help as well as tips for navigating FedMall.

A special message is also included for new VA customers. The VA recently began ordering pharmaceuticals and other supplies from DLA Troop Support, which also manages DLA’s Ecclesiastical Support Division. 

“Because of DLA’s buying power, we can help the VA get the best quality and lowest prices for items chaplains need to support retirees and their families,” Wichman added. 

The chaplain hopes the newsletter conveys DLA employees’ commitment to customers.

“It’s been amazing for me to see the level of detail and care that our staff puts into providing religious supplies, even when it means waking up in the middle of the night to coordinate with somebody over in the Middle East,” he said. “Through our newsletter, we hope to further enhance that customer support.”