DSD Resource Analyst L. Elaine “DT1” Major
Can you tell us about yourself? I go by Elaine and my handle is “DT1.” It stands for “Determined One.” I was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, but lived in Georgia and California. I enlisted in the military in 1998 and have served in all three Air Force components: Active, Reserve and Air National Guard. I am currently the command chief (which is the highest enlisted member on the installation and/or wing) for the 931st Air Refueling Wing, located at McConnell AFB, Kansas. The wing is home to the new KC-46 Pegasus. My job is to advise the wing commander on all enlisted matters such as mission readiness, development, training, and morale.
I am from a family with a long history of military service, but I was the first to enlist in the Air Force. My father, Sgt. 1st Class (Ret.) Kenneth Anderson, served in the Army. Other family members served in the Army, Marines and Navy. I am the first and only female in my family to serve as a chief master sergeant and command chief. My most rewarding time is spent as a citizen airman, meaning I serve in the military and work as a civilian, which can be challenging as a member ascends in rank and position. Both jobs have competing priorities but are rewarding. I chose to stay with DLA when I returned from a deployment and a three-year break to serve in active status as a functional manager for Headquarters, Air Force Reserve Command. I continue to advocate for DLA because of its insurmountable support for the warfighter.
Every month I travel to Kansas but hate leaving my 10-year-old daughter. The weekends and sometimes weekly TDYs chip away from my family life, but I try to find balance. My motivation is when my daughter once told me, she was going to call my military boss to have me fired so I could stay home, but in the same vein said that she was proud of her mama! I thrive on family support and hope one day my daughter will be proud and see her mother as her cape-less hero. I also hope to be an inspiration to other young ladies who aspire to achieve great accomplishments whether in the military or as a civilian.
Describe your job in a sentence or two. What do you do specifically? I serve as the DSD RA for two sites; Fort Sill and Red River Army Depot. My job varies from GPC cardholder, MIPR generator, ISSA review, contracting and various financial duties.
How long have you worked for the federal government including military service? Going on 24 years.
How long have you worked for DLA Disposition Services? 8 years.
What is your favorite memory with DLA Disposition Services? When it was called DRMO and the difficult transition for people to call it DRMS and DLA Disposition Services. Working as an environmental protection specialist gave me a better insight into the various areas of Disposition Services versus just dropping off unwanted material. One of the neat memories before I worked for Disposition Services was the final disposal of a crashed aircraft we worked on for years and the steps it took to get it removed.
What aspect(s) of your current job gives you the most personal satisfaction and why? Getting in-depth exposure into the financial side of Disposition Services and how money is earned and dispersed among the sites. Also, the ability to assist people. I love to help and resolve issues.
What is the best piece of advice someone has given you? Stay the course. Nobody loves you like you love yourself. Meaning, you must continuously take initiative to take care of yourself and not place blame on others if you have not done your due diligence. I use this a lot when I speak to personnel on the military side.
What kind(s) of training and education helps your work performance in your current role? Hands-on training and job guides. Our job is complex, and we interact with various directorates and organizations to make magic happen. Sometimes a 400-page SOP is not helpful, but a straight to the point “how-to” works best especially in areas where there is high turnover and corporate knowledge may not be available.
What would you say has been your major contributions to your organization this year in your job? Assisting wherever I am needed and morale booting. I am appreciative of my team because they hold me down when I am called to serve.
If you could speak directly to the warfighters you support, what would you tell them? Thank you for what you do and continue to stay the course! It is an honor to work for an organization that supports you which I have wholeheartedly seen that firsthand as a warfighter.
Where do you see yourself five years from now? Possibly retired from the military and on a yacht sipping pina coladas! Seriously, would like to see myself in a leadership role within DLA where I can continue to assist people, but on a larger more impactful scale.
Tell us something that most people might not know about you or your directorate? I ride motorcycles, love karaoke and I used to be in a band. The DSD Ras, to include the lead, are all veterans with more than 60 combined years of service.
What is your best memory of working here? It’s only been a year, but when we all met up for dinner finally with COVID breathing down our neck. It was good to collaborate outside of work and see all the smiles.
What was your first job? Started officially babysitting at 12 and worked at Wendy’s as a cashier.
Who’s your biggest influence? My parents.
Name your favorite/recent book(s) you have read. Fix my prayer life; a 21-day devotional journey.
What are some of your passions outside of work? Spending time with my daughter and learning to relax.
What is your favorite quote? “I think, therefore I am.” -Rene Decartes; “There is more to them than meets the eye.” -Optimus Prime
What did you want to be when you grew up? A singer.
Who is your hero? My parents and grandmother.
If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be? Really relax, chill, and think about nothing.
What’s the most thrilling/adventurous thing you have ever done? Jumping off a cliff into water and riding in a F-15E Strike Eagle plane as an incentive.