NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. –
DLA Distribution’s Army Sgt. 1st Class Kahlil Warner was named DLA Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year at the agency’s 51st annual employee recognition ceremony Dec. 13.
Warner serves as the organization’s Current Operations non-commissioned officer-in-charge and senior enlisted advisor.
As the NCOIC and SEA, a role typically assigned to a master sergeant or sergeant major, Warner was responsible for the mentorship and performance of four military officers, over 130 government civilians and 40 contract employees that provided global operational support to 25 distribution centers and 30 detachments through oversight of storage and distribution activities for Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines globally with assets valued in excess of $105 billion.
During this time he provided countless strategic operational briefs at Ft. Lee, Virginia, to over 100 leadership comprised of eight Quartermaster branches and several command sergeant majors. Additionally, while serving as DLA Distribution Susquehanna, Pennsylvania’s interim 1st Sgt., he conducted over 21 DLA Distribution Susquehanna command and culture briefs to over 1,600 military, federal employees and government contractors in an effort to inform the workforce and improve culture.
He collaborated with multiple Current Operations personnel on the Fourth Estate Manpower Tracking System, and effort that required meticulous attention to detail to develop, input and account for the more than 7,500 full-time equivalent positions within the DLA Distribution network.
According to DLA Distribution Joint Logistics Operations director Col. Fredric Maddox, Warner’s exemplary leadership potential was most evident in his selection by the commandant of the United States Sergeant Major Academy as the first Sgt. 1st Class in 17 years to attend and graduate the United States Air Force Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy.
“His efforts in this course has opened new opportunities for future Army NCOs and proven to the most senior leaders in the Army, the relevance of including professional military education courses from other branches of the Department of Defense. This will have a lasting impact,” said Maddox.
During this time, while working on his professional growth, Warner made an effort to give back to the community, as well. He utilized nearly 50 hours of personal leave to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity in Chicago’s inner city, where he assisted two housing development contractors building three houses for underprivileged members of the local community. Additionally, he aided the local Humane Society in coordinating and executing three Adopt-a-Pet events. His efforts resulted in eight cats, 18 dogs and various birds/reptiles finding lasting homes.
“Sgt. 1st Class Warner’s ‘Warfighter First’ character makes him a true champion for DLA. This remarkable leader ranks within the top one percent of all NCOs I have served with during my 22 years of active duty to this nation,” said Maddox.