BATTLE CREEK, Mich. –
The Defense Logistics Agency Pathways to Career Excellence Program graduation marked the end of one path and the start of another for nine graduates Oct. 17 at Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center in Battle Creek, Michigan.
“The PaCE Program mission is to search and recruit, both inside and outside the agency, for talent-rich candidates, full of new ideas, inspiration, initiative and the energy to help push the agency forward with achieving excellence and fostering teamwork,” said Joe Duran, DLA Disposition Services PaCE program manager.
The keynote speaker DLA Disposition Services Director Michael Cannon compared the training program to that of a military commissioning program or an accelerated master’s program.
“They learned all things about the agency, the different aspects and their place in the agency,” Cannon said.
During their training, Cannon challenged the PaCERs with a special project. They worked the project as a team with little oversite and guidance while meeting the director’s intent and providing a finished product.
“They did an outstanding job,” Cannon said. “They helped me professionalize the property disposal business. They helped me create a code of ethics if you’re dealing with excess or surplus military property.”
Graduates can see the impact of their efforts as all property disposal specialist now receive a copy of the Code.
After two years of the PaCE programs with more than 1,200 hours of intense on-the-job training, PaCERs from DLA Disposition Services, DLA Information Operations and DLA Finance concluded the professional development program and joined the DLA workforce. The majority transitioning from their initial General Schedule-07 salaried training positions to GS-11 salaried associates.
While most of the PaCE graduates fill various roles around the world for DLA upon graduation, Group 34 is unique. The entire class is graduating from and entering positions in Battle Creek.
“In our agency, people are our number one priority,” said Pam Latker, chief of DLA Training, Career Management Division. “Investing in our future and developing our workforce is the key to our Agency’s success.”
After remarks, graduates were presented their certificate as colleagues, friends and family members that supported them through their journey provided congratulatory applause.
Duran left the graduates with a challenge to take what they have learned and help spread the knowledge which was imparted to them throughout the program, to be a catalyst of positive change in pursuit of excellence and set the example for everyone they come in contact with.
Concluding the ceremony, the PaCE graduating class presented Cannon with an autographed copy of the Code of Ethics the team was tasked with creating as a special project from the director.