FORT BELVOIR, Va. –
The Defense Logistics Agency recognized members of the Joint Reserve Force during the 55th Annual Employee Awards Ceremony Jan. 26 at its Fort Belvoir, Virginia, headquarters.
Four service members were honored in the Military Personnel Awards category.
Navy Lt. Cmdr. Ruben Chavira from DLA Distribution was named JRF Field Grade Officer of the Year. Chavira is the executive officer for DLA JRF Defense Support Team Harrisburg. He volunteered on short notice to deploy to DLA Europe and Africa in Naples, Italy, to support U.S. Naval Forces Europe operations.
The JRF Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year was DLA Distribution’s Navy Chief Petty Officer Michael Harshbarger. As the senior enlisted leader of a 36-member joint reserve unit consisting of 24 sailors, seven airmen and four soldiers, Harshbarger set the example for all enlisted personnel regardless of their service.
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Akinlolu Akinbode, also from DLA Distribution, was recognized as the JRF Junior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year. Akinbode is a logistics specialist currently mobilized to DLA Distribution Red River Army Depot as leading petty officer.
The JRF Company Grade Officer of the Year was Army Capt. Adam Davis from DLA Joint Reserve Force Headquarters. Davis worked with agency subject matter experts to distribute information to U.S. Army Europe and Africa logistics staff on DLA-managed commodities such as food, fuel and repair parts. He also volunteered to deploy to provide DLA support to EUCOM and NATO.
“Recognizing the superb contributions of the Joint Reserve Force around the world to the Defense Logistics Agency mission is an enjoyable work aspect of our headquarters staff,” said JRF Director Army Maj. Gen. Tripp Bowles. “The Joint Reserve Force is truly a joint organization that supports DLA’s mission on a global scale.”
After the ceremony, Davis was presented with a Joint Service Achievement Medal by Navy Capt. Onofrio P. Margioni, JRF executive officer and chief of staff. All other JRF awardees were not able to attend the ceremony in person due to military commitments.
“Our ability to deploy, often without much notice, to support DLA operations worldwide makes us a unique part of the DLA team,” Margioni said. “Capt. Davis’ efforts exemplify our steadfast ability to support DLA when called upon.”
Davis’ work to integrate the DLA EUCOM contingent improved logistic efforts, according to his award citation.
DLA’s JRF includes over 700 reserve soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines assigned to nearly every DLA organization across the United States, including Hawaii, and Europe.