BATTLE CREEK, Mi –
Earlier this year the Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services added a new Career series, Equipment Specialist 1670 series. 24 positions were created around the globe.
To get the new Equipment Specialist up-to-date on their responsibilities a three day Summit was held and like so many other meetings, summits and training, it was a virtual event.
Chris Milazzo of DLA Disposition Services at Battle Creek, Michigan served as the strategic event coordinator.
He noted that eight of his presenters were in Battle Creek while one, Steven Wilson of DLA Distribution presented from New Cumberland, PA.
A total of 29 participants took part from DLA Disposition Services sites including Hawaii and Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.
Milazzo explained what is unique about the position, “They are not only equipment instructors, but also in charge of dispatching machines, recording equipment mileage and fuel consumption, completing various equipment inventories throughout the year, handing all contract related issues for their equipment pool, and most importantly, they are safety representatives for their team.”
In his opening remarks for the summit DLA Disposition Services Director Mike Cannon spoke to the participants. He said that we as an agency cannot do our job without Material Handling Equipment but that it is one of the most dangerous things we touch.
He added that he will be relying on the Equipment Specialist to help ensure the safe operation, maintenance and training on these critical pieces of equipment.
“If you do have a preventable mishap, you should be a little disappointed in yourself but, don’t hide it,” Cannon said. “Report it immediately. Because if we don’t report it then someone else is going to do the same thing and we could have prevented it.”
Rick Mann, an equipment specialist with DLA Disposition Services at Norfolk, Virginia has been with DLA since 2015 after retiring from the Navy.
Even though Mann has been an Instructor certifying official for the past three years he said he still took some valuable information away from the seminar and was able to network with his fellow equipment specialist and the people who run programs he will be interacting with in his new position.