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News | July 1, 2021

Priorities, vision set at new Troop Support commander’s town hall

By Mikia Muhamamd DLA Troop Support Public Affairs

For his first address to the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support workforce, new Commander Army Brig. Gen. Eric P. Shirley emphasized starting with “why” during a town hall event June 25 in Philadelphia.

“We have to always think about the warfighter first, and the warfighter always,” Shirley said. “The reason we’re here, is so that soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen have subsistence, the very best clothing and construction equipment they need to sustain themselves and defend themselves in combat. [And] they have the medical supplies, surgical equipment and medicines to sustain and heal themselves.”

Shirley joined DLA Troop Support June 22 and said the hard working reputation of the Troop Support workforce proceeded them.

“Everything I’ve seen, from the moment I attended my first meeting with the team, has absolutely reinforced that [reputation],” Shirley said. “It’s going to be my privilege to serve with and join this team.”

Shirley described his enduring priorities as: mission accomplishment, caring for service members and stakeholders, improving readiness and processes, talent management and leader development. All while maintaining Troop Support’s current momentum and leveraging the existing battle rhythm, he said.

He also shared key details about his personal and professional background, including anecdotes from his previous assignment as the chief of staff for Operation Warp Speed.

“It was a hard ‘head-down sprint’ over the last year, and I know you understand that sentiment because you’ve been doing exactly the same thing,” Shirley said. “DLA Troop Support has been absolutely integral in the Department of Defense, and the entire interagency U.S. government’s response to taking care of our American people.”

Shirley described his vision of leading Troop Support through the lens of “P.R.I.D.E.” or professionalism, responsiveness, innovation, disciplined execution, and everyday enterprise excellence.

“This in my mind has helped me to articulate to my teammates at the brigade level, battalion level and even as a company commander, how I visualize an optimal workforce,” Shirley said. “If we collectively move out and are observing everything that comes to us through this prism of P.R.I.D.E., we’re going to be moving in the right direction.”

Shirley also took time to recognize the respective Employees of the Month for April and May, James Sullivan, Industrial Hardware and Ayahna N. Killings, Clothing and Textiles for their continued mission support.

 Employees can view the full town hall message here.