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News | Dec. 12, 2019

San Joaquin’s Zhang chosen as DLA Outstanding Senior Enlisted Reservist of the Year

By Ed Shank, DLA Distribution Public Affairs

Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Ke Zhang, unit senior enlisted leader, Defense Logistics Agency Distribution San Joaquin, California, has been awarded DLA Outstanding Senior Enlisted Reservist of the Year for fiscal year 2019.

Zhang was recognized for his military professionalism, integrity, commitment and exceptional leadership while empowering subordinates to succeed. In his role as senior enlisted leader, Zhang oversaw and mentored 32 reserve members supporting DLA missions, ensuring his unit operated at peak efficiency and at the highest level of deployment readiness.

From January to July 2019, Zhang served as senior enlisted advisor to DLA Disposition Services Afghanistan where he coordinated multiple facets of support across four operational sites.  During that deployment, Zhang provided armed-escort support and oversight during the removal of 390 truckloads containing 9.5 million pounds of scrap materials as well as demilitarized 274 pieces of rolling stock and 101 Afghanistan National Security Defense Forces vehicles, which resulted in a return of $1.3 million to the U.S. Treasury. Additional significant contributions while deployed include the coordination and participation in two change of command ceremonies, one memorial service and eight hail and farewell events.

As a certified “Guardian Angel,” Zhang was trained in the personal protection of U.S. and foreign national advisors operating in hostile environments. While at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, Zhang proactively organized and arranged three Guardian Angel classes, resulting in the training and certification of 32 military personnel and Department of Defense civilians, enhancing situational awareness and increasing the force protection level in that area.

Born in Wuxi, China, Zhang immigrated with his family to California in 2003, enlisting in the U.S. Navy the following year. While on active duty, Zhang served in logistics aboard the USS Saipan and USS Nimitz and the Naval Consolidated Brig at Marine Corps Air Station in Miramar, California. As a Navy reservist, he has served with the DLA Distribution Operations Team San Joaquin, California, since July 2012.