BATTLE CREEK, Mich. –
When most people picture military might, they think of tanks, helicopters and heavy weaponry in action. What they don’t often consider is what happens to that gear when it’s no longer needed.
That’s a primary mission of Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services – ensuring obsolete and excess military equipment doesn’t fall into the hands of an adversary. The process, called demilitarization, involves shredders, torches and a great deal of precision.
DLA Disposition Services operates locations around the world to support military units. But when those units deploy to areas without a property disposal site, the agency typically sends in a mixed team of expeditionary civilians and DLA Joint Reserve Force servicemembers.
Isaac Sunnock, the Readiness Branch expeditionary civilian program manager, said he helps prepare the roughly 120 DOD civilians who are on call to deploy for DLA Disposition Services.
“The ECs directly support the warfighter,” Sunnock said. “We support them wherever they are in the world, and that includes deployed locations.”
Sunnock joined DLA as an expeditionary civilian and has completed a deployment himself. He said he enjoyed the experience but understands it can be intimidating for those deploying for the first time. Still, he emphasized the rewards of being part of a team, experiencing local culture, and engaging directly with military customers.
“We process property that’s turned in by military units,” Sunnock said. “They can’t just throw it in a dumpster and get it off their books.”
One of the key deployment readiness opportunities for DLA’s expeditionary civilians is the Cutting Capabilities Course held in Battle Creek. There, instructors teach service members and civilians how to safely dismantle military equipment and transform it into harmless scrap ready for recycling.
Tim Zweng, the Equipment Management and Training Branch chief, said the course is specifically designed for expeditionary civilians and DLA Joint Reserve Force members.
“Our goal is to give the students the framework on how to cut safely and effectively and to ensure demilitarization requirements are met,” Zweng said. “If or when they are deployed to a contingency environment, they can support the warfighter.”
Brian Davidson, the course instructor, said the class is held several times a year. The most recent session had 10 students, two military members and eight civilians—including Dejah Coles from the property disposition office in Norfolk, Virginia, who was preparing for her first deployment.
Coles said the training marked the first time she had used a cutting torch. She called the experience “intense,” but said that for her it reinforced demilitarization’s importance in keeping usable equipment out of enemy hands.