TRACY, Calif. –
Defense Logistics Agency Distribution San Joaquin, California hosted the Distribution Expeditionary Academy for DLA reservists for the first time in over three years on April 17, at DLA Distribution San Joaquin in Tracy, California. During the academy, DLA reservists undergo training that prepares them to conduct distribution activities on a deployment in support of the warfighter or natural disaster response.
Benjamin Boone, the San Joaquin DDXX team supervisor, helped facilitate the training.
“We are familiarizing our DLA reservists with the agency and our expeditionary distribution capabilities during the course,” Boone said. “They are getting a refresher on what we do as an agency and receiving specific training that will prepare them for real world situations.”
DDXX teams establish scalable and expeditious distribution platforms anywhere in the world on short notice to put material and equipment as close to warfighters as possible and reduce customer wait time in support of natural disaster response, wartime operations and internal DLA surge support.
DLA Distribution have reservists assigned across the continental U.S. and is responsible for augmenting DLA Distribution Expeditionary teams when necessary.
During the first two days of the academy, reservists received lessons from distribution expeditionary instructors. DDJC Commander Marine Corps Col. Kevin Chunn visited the reservists on Monday and noted how important their contribution is to the agency.
“You all have carved the time out of your lives to come and attend this training,” Chunn said. “We appreciate your sacrifice, and we know you’ll receive the training necessary for you to succeed in an expeditionary environment.”
Following classroom instruction, the reservists set up Alaskan shelters, AirBeam tents, and trained with power generation and distribution alongside DLA Distribution civilians that work fulltime in the expeditionary teams.
Army Maj. Michael Hall, a supply management officer with DLA Distribution Army Reserve Element, stated that the academy is showing the reservists involved how to best augment the DLA civilian workforce to support the warfighter in a forward-deployed environment.
“We’re learning all about what DLA Distribution does in a deployed environment,” Hall said. “The realistic training and the deployment opportunities to support the warfighter or help with a natural disaster that DLA Distribution provides is top notch.”
In his civilian career, Hall also supports the warfighter as the Continuous Process Improvement program manager for DLA Transformation located in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania.
After the reservists finish training with the Alaskan shelters and AirBeam tents, they will begin training in consolidation and containerization point activities with DDJC subject matter experts in the warehouses.
Donnie Thompson, the DLA Distribution chief of deployments and training noted that the DDXX academy has two primary purposes.
The first is to train the reservists to the four core functions of DDXX, which is to provide customers with the distribution capabilities listed below:
- Theater consolidation and shipping point
- Forward deployed warehousing
- Material processing center
- Incident support base
The secondary purpose is for the DDXX team to test their gear in preparation of hurricane season. “Training the DLA reservists also allows the team to function check their equipment and ensure they are ready for any natural disaster they may be called on to support,” Thompson said.
Last year, the DDXX teams deployed to Florida in support of Hurricane Ian response efforts.
According to Boone, DDXX has already deployed to five different areas to support various missions this year alone.
“The reservists have been extremely engaged during the academy,” Boone said. “They are learning a tremendous amount about our expedition capabilities. They will be ready in the event they are needed in a contingency operation.”
Another reservist participating in the academy, Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Jennifer Xepoleas, a logistics supply specialist with the DLA Distribution reserve component in San Joaquin, California, stated that this experience has helped her learn about the expeditionary work requirements.
“All of the skills we are learning are exactly what we need to know when we deploy,” Xepoleas said. “This academy is a huge piece to our DLA logistics training. It’s a great opportunity for everyone to come out and train and learn about the expeditionary component of DLA.”
To earn more about the DLA Joint Reserve, check out the DLA Joint Reserve website. To learn more about DDXX, check out the DDXX homepage.