FORT BELVOIR, Va. –
From tactical vehicles to meals and medical supplies, the Defense Logistics Agency exists to support warfighters. Sometimes that support includes arming troops with the knowledge to perform their job wherever they’re deployed.
The DLA Logistics Operation Training Branch recently provided that knowledge to Army logisticians and maintenance teams at Fort Riley, Kansas, and Tulsa, Oklahoma, through the Logistics Operations Applications Course. The event exposed soldiers to a variety of self-help tools and services to help them prepare for unit mobilization.
Course director Angel Matos Torres and instructor Eric Butler showed the group how to conduct logistics research using DLA tools such FED LOG, WebFLIS, FedMall and WebVLIPS. They incorporated live, realistic demonstrations using real-time unit requisitions and hands-on practical exercises.
The training provided in-depth instruction on breaking down supply code definitions, what supply codes to look for to avoid order delays or rejections, and how to check supply and shipment status. FED LOG and WebFLIS allows users to see data associated with National Stock Numbers.
Clarence Reynolds, logistics assistance representative for Army Materiel Command, said the training was realistic and will help him better support his unit.
“The whole purpose is to be able to draw the information and share it with our soldiers,” he said.
Reynolds and his team provide logistic assistance to the 1st Combat Aviation Brigade helicopter fleets and help tech supply soldiers locate aviation replacement parts. Reynolds praised DLA’s instructors.
“Bottom line: I can go on and on; your instructors did us right. I can say everyone in our class walked away with more knowledge to share with others,” he said in his course evaluation.
The Logistics Operations Applications Course is part of a push to ensure deploying service members and civilians are aware of the self-help tools and support DLA provides.
“This was an agencywide effort,” DLA Customer Support Division Director Sly Ahn said. “The Customer Support Division led the way in providing the pre-deployment instruction, but we couldn’t have done this without close collaboration with the military service support branch, local customer support representatives, U.S. European Command and the DLA major subordinate commands.”
Although the initial focus was on Army units headed to EUCOM, plans are in place to offer LOAC training to service members in all areas of operation. Opportunities to continue training via webinars while deployed are also being considered.
“Our efforts to increase and expand pre-deployment training are gaining momentum,” DLA Logistics Operations Executive Director Patrick Kelleher added. “Sly and his team are doing a great job in advocating for, scheduling and delivering the training.”
For more information on DLA’s LOAC pre-deployment training, contact training branch chief Ronald Maloney at Ronald.maloney@dla.mil or visit the Logistics Operations training page.