FORT BELVOIR, Va. –
The Defense Logistics Agency director reinforced steadfast support to the Marine Corps’ transformational principles to ensure logistics solutions align with the service’s mission demands during the Marine Corps/DLA Service Integration Day May 29.
“We recognize the critical need to further integrate with the Marine Corps, and to refine our understanding of your operational requirements and supply chain priorities,” said Army Lt. Gen. Mark Simerly. “Today’s event is not a briefing, but a discussion to exchange insights, refine our coordination and strengthen our partnership. Your feedback is invaluable, and I encourage open dialogue as we work together to enhance mission readiness.”
Senior logisticians from across the Marine Corps, the Defense Department and DLA met to discuss forward positioned operating stocks, bridging sustainment capability gaps in the Indo-Pacific region, alternative pathways to manufacturing and demand forecasting.
“Prepositioning is not about “stuff”, it’s about capabilities. It’s about forward positioning capabilities that will enable us to close a combat credible force,” Marine Corps Deputy Commandant for Installations and Logistics Lt. Gen. Stephen Sklenka, said during his opening remarks.
DLA Director of Logistics Operations Maj. Gen. David Sanford highlighted areas where the agency currently positions materiel to describe the sustainment challenges of the INDOPACOM region. He said it has taken 50 years to get the current infrastructure in place, but in the coming fight the agency must think, act and operate differently.
As a global supply chain, DLA does not have any boundaries or combatant command lines drawn on these maps, and that’s intentional because there are no boundaries to the agency’s support, he said. DLA is working with the services to make sure there are no lines which enable gaps in support.
Sanford explained how the Marine Corps and DLA leaders must possess the ability to engage in risk-informed discussions and independently make risk-informed decisions, with the option to request further support when needed.
“Forward positioning in a resource-constrained environment requires us to integrate together to redraw the map so the tactical folks can be more successful,” Sanford added. “This requires us to be action-oriented and willing to use a risk informed-model in the event of the conflict, which is tested with exercises and wargames to be more expeditionary in nature.”
Alternative pathways to manufacturing
Several DLA leaders shared insights into the agency’s work to partner with the military services and industry to overcome their intellectual property and data sharing concerns. The goal is to drive advanced manufacturing to eliminate repair parts and transportation challenges and instead manufacture at the point of need.
Sklenka stressed the importance of leveraging relationships with the defense and organic industrial base to acquire technical data. He also reinforced that reverse engineering is often a viable solution given that having an exact replica of an OEM part often is not necessary when leveraging advanced manufacturing for ground equipment.
DLA supply chain support to the Marine Corps
Marine Corps requirements extend across all of DLA supply chains. For subsistence, the Marine Corps is working with DLA Troop Support to store a freeze-dried meal, ready-to-eat, to use in future exercises. DLA Troop Support would also have a role addressing medical supply challenges as well.
Simerly highlighted how the service integration day brought leaders from across DLA and the Marine Corps together with a shared purpose—to optimize logistics support, enhance integration and refine the approach to demand planning to better serve the warfighter.
“As global challenges continue to shift, we must move with urgency to refine our logistics strategies, enhance digital capabilities, and foster deeper collaboration across the defense enterprise. Success isn’t just about having the right resources—it’s about having the right partnerships,” he said. “Today’s discussions reinforce the strength of our collaboration, and I look forward to continuing this important work together.”