NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. –
Army Maj. Gen. Tripp Bowles, Defense Logistics Agency director of the Joint Reserve Force, visited DLA Distribution to gain insight into the overall DLA Distribution mission and learn where reservists fit into the scope of that mission.
“I can see the balance going on,” said Bowles, speaking to his own civilian career and how DLA Distribution balances operations against global supply chain issues, contested logistics and mission requirements.
DLA Distribution leadership explained how through research and data, the agency was able to save the Army about $25 million per year with guaranteed ground deliveries instead of commercial air, all with no impact to warfighter readiness.
The ongoing and future operations of DLA Distribution provide opportunities for reservists to fill roles, but it also presents challenges in where reservists are trained and for how long.
One of the challenges facing recruitment into the reserve forces is where the service members go for training and for how long. Being away from families for too long can deter people from joining the reserves.
DLA Distribution is currently training teams within the continental U.S. for missions that may potentially have global deployment.
One area Bowles sees potential for reserve forces is for contract officers to meet mission requirements. The expeditionary unit, DLA Distribution Expeditionary, sees great potential in using reservists during FEMA support missions.
DLA Distribution has the capability to rapidly expand to meet mission requirements by using the Global Distribution Expeditionary Contract. The GDEC is how DLA Distribution can rapidly hire workers to respond to contingencies and humanitarian crises. Reservists can play a key role in filling any rapid response mission requirements through proper training and use of the GDEC.