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News | April 6, 2018

DAU fellows, Troop Support talk about acquisition processes during annual visit

By Shaun Eagan DLA Troop Support Public Affairs

The Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support hosted the Defense Acquisition University Senior Service College Fellowship Program participants to learn about the agency’s mission during a visit April 3.

Leaders from each of DLA Troop Support’s five supply chains met with the fellows, who traveled from Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.

“These senior acquisition leaders have varied backgrounds that contribute to a professional discourse on best practices, emerging trends, acquisition strategy and organizational leadership,” said Air Force Col. Adrian Crowley, Industrial Hardware director. “As the [Defense Department] becomes more interconnected and interdependent, it is vital to strengthen relationships between the senior acquisition leaders and the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support.”

The SSCF program is a 10-month leadership and educational opportunity. It prepares Army Acquisition Corps civilian leaders for roles as product and project managers, program executive officers, Senior Executive Service positions and other key acquisition positions, according to the DAU website.

Visiting DLA Troop Support provides another Defense Department acquisitions perspective before the fellows head to their follow-on assignment, James Oman, SSCF APG director, said.

“This visit provides a unique experience most of the participants have never been exposed to,” Oman said. “We’re thankful for DLA Troop Support for serving as another resource and helping the fellows’ professional development as they continue their careers.”

Crowley explained the importance of raising awareness about the agency’s capabilities to current and future customers.

“DLA Troop Support has an incredible breadth and depth of capabilities across five supply chains, the Product Test Center and the command staff,” Crowley said. “Key outreach engagements such as this enable our customers a broader understanding of Troop Support’s robust posture to provide effective and efficient acquisition capabilities in support of the warfighter and whole of government.”

For some of the participants, the visit provided a broader view of the acquisition process.

“One of the biggest takeaways was seeing the people who support the warfighter and understanding the challenges they face,” John Gillette, a SSCF program participant, said. “To see with my own eyes the people who support us, learn their ordering process and establish contacts here at DLA Troop Support is helpful moving forward.”

Before departing, the participants also visited the DLA Troop Support flag room, where the presidential and vice presidential flags are hand embroidered and military flags are made.