BATTLE CREEK, Mich. –
Defense Logistics Agency Director Vice Adm. Michelle Skubic met with DLA Disposition Services’ senior leaders in Battle Creek, Michigan.
The primary focus of the visit was to discuss how DLA Disposition Services’ strategic initiatives will support DLA’s strategic plan.
Due to COVID restrictions, this was Skubic’s first visit to DLA Disposition Services headquarters since taking command last July.
DLA’s Strategic Plan identified the most critical priorities that meet the threats and evolving needs of the warfighter and nation. The plan includes five lines of effort - warfighter always, support to the nation, trusted mission partner, modernized acquisition and supply chain management and future of work.
During round table discussions, Skubic praised DLA Disposition Services’ workforce and their ability to successfully complete the last 10% of the mission and how important that is to the whole mission as well as reducing sustainment costs and being certifiably auditable.
“I’m just so proud of this team,” she said. “I talk about how Disposition Services is there in the crisis and they are often there with security forces to turn off the lights and I don’t take that for granted.”
During her historic tour of the Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center, Skubic presented DLA Director Challenge Coins to Don Johnson, Deborah Smith, Bill Cohoe and Laurie Owens for their dedication to the mission and warfighter.
A director’s challenge coin is a small coin or medallion, bearing the organization's insignia or emblem and carried by the organization's members. Often they are given from leaders to recognize outstanding performance.
In addition to her visit, Skubic attended the Equal Employment Opportunity Office’s All American Day. This annual event celebrates the agency’s workforce.
“It’s an honor for me to spend a little bit of time with all of you in Battle Creek,” she said. “I’m very grateful for the mission of the team here… If you think about how many places you are in the world, how many warfighter missions you support, and how you support other interagency partners – you save lives day in and day out through what you do.”
Following her tour at HDIFC, Skubic traveled nearby to the Battle Creek Air National Guard Base, where she received an overview of an expeditionary site set and equipment demonstration.
An ESS is a self-sufficient mobile disposition site that can be rapidly deployed around the world and set up within a week. Sets include generators, material handling equipment, tools and supplies, manpower and more. Once fully functional, an ESS can support the whole Disposition Services mission by receiving, storing and demilitarizing property.
DLA Disposition Services property disposal specialist and expeditionary site support team member Brian Davidson demonstrated the Petrogen torch – a cutting system that is used to demilitarize large items like armored vehicles – and industrial shears – a piece of equipment used to turn unusable property into scrap.
Skubic’s visit culminated in meeting students that are attending an intermediate material handling equipment training course.
After successfully completing the intermediate MHE training, students can deploy with the ESS.
She spoke with each student, thanking them for the work that they do supporting the warfighter and wished them well on potential future deployments.
“The risk is compounded and the focus is so important,” she said. “Thank you for your leadership and thank you for what the team does day in and day out across the globe.”