BATTLE CREEK, Mich. –
Meranda Grafmyer is finishing up her first year in the Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services Pathways to Career Excellence Program Group 44 that began in 2022. For her second year of the program, she will be placed at the DLA Disposition Services Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, field site. Grafmyer is the only member of group 44 that will be returning
to the field site from which she originated from.
In your own words, how would you describe the PaCE Program, and what can you gain from it?
The PaCE Program is learning how each branch or division supports DLA and DLA Disposition Services’ mission. During your time in the program, you gain a lot of knowledge. I also learned that it is okay to not know or understand everything at first but know where to go and who to go to get the answers from. That's what I feel the PaCE Program has helped me accomplish.
Why did you first apply to the PaCE Program?
I applied to the PaCE Program because I wanted to challenge myself both, personally and professionally.
What is your professional background?
My very first job was with Amazon and a side gig working for a friend’s family ice cream shop business. I started working for DLA Distribution in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, in 2016, where I started as a Wage Grade-5. Since then, I’ve held two different positions and now a PaCEr.
What was your position before coming to the PaCE Program?
I was a Local Stock Number Verifier at the Susquehanna field site.
What have been your favorite parts of the PaCE Program?
Meeting new people, traveling to different sites, and personal and professional career growth.
Do you have a favorite memory from your time in the program?
Having lunch with my fellow PaCE group and our morning riddles on the whiteboard, which we take turns doing. Also, meeting others that work for DLA Disposition Services from other field sites.
If there was one thing that could’ve been different for you in the PaCE Program, what would it be?
I think we could use more field site visits and hands-on learning.
What would you say is the most important quality to succeed in the PaCE Program?
Willing to learn new things, push yourself to succeed and be flexible.
Where are you assigned to next year?
My next assignment is at Susquehanna, Pennsylvania. I am one of the few that head back to the field site that they originally came from.
What are your plans for your future in the agency?
Becoming proficient at my job is my top focus.
Editorial Note: The Pathways to Career Excellence Program for DLA Disposition Services is a two-year program that takes PaCERs through all of Disposition Services and its processes to learn as much as possible about the directorate. The first year takes place at DLA Disposition Services Headquarters in Battle Creek, Michigan, and the second year either takes place in Battle Creek for Contracting PaCERs or at an assigned field site for Property Disposal PaCERs. PaCERs begin as general schedule 7s, move to GS-9s at the end of their first year, and graduate the program as GS-11s. There are multiple pathways to becoming a PaCER, including being hired internally, as a recent graduate, or from military service.