PHILADELPHIA –
The Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support celebrated their second Pathways to Career Excellence program in-person graduation since the pandemic during a ceremony held March 22 in Philadelphia.
Forty-three employees graduated from the two-year training program designed for entry-level personnel to provide advancement in professional, administrative and technological careers within the organization.
DLA Troop Support Deputy Commander Kishayra Lambert expressed her admiration and gratitude to the graduates, who completed the program while the organization supported the nation’s COVID-19 response.
“You all are truly an exceptional group of individuals,” she said. “I say that, not only because of your completion of the PaCE program, but you all have the unique experience of beginning and finishing the program in the midst of a pandemic. Having to navigate a new job, with a new organization and for some, in a new city, all while we were in a maximum telework status is truly admirable.”
During the program, employees work full-time while receiving a salary and health benefits. They advance in their careers while performing on-the-job assignments, cross-training, rotational assignments and formal training.
“Over the past two years, the PaCE program has equipped you with the tools you need to successfully support the mission of DLA Troop Support and DLA Aviation,” she said. “And you have already made a difference. Whether it was working to clear backorders, supporting our Whole of Government pandemic response efforts, or working on special projects, your impact has already been made.”
DLA Training Career Management Division Chief Lashana Crone, who’s team oversees the program, congratulated the graduates, saying the training is demanding and a lot is expected from the employees during and after the program.
“The classes are challenging, and a lot of time and effort is put into getting through them,” she said. “We have high expectations of all our graduates, so the PaCE program is intended to be intense to build competencies for their job and to prepare them for a successful career in DLA.”
The end goal of the program is to build a broader perspective and comprehension of agency responsibilities and processes, Crone added. Of the 43 graduates, 26 are contracting specialists, eight are general supply specialists, five are resolution specialists and four are quality assurance specialists.
Lambert left the graduates with three charges to focus on over their careers: keep your passion, be innovative, and don’t be afraid to be great.
“Embrace the opportunities to step out of your comfort zone and venture into unfamiliar areas,” she said. “Look for places in the organization with gaps that you have the special expertise to fill and lean forward. Don’t sit back and wait because one thing that I have learned firsthand is that when you think nobody is watching, someone always is and you want to be at your best when that happens.”
To learn more about the PaCE program and working at DLA, click here.