COLUMBUS, Ohio –
Anya Herbert recently completed her first year of the Defense Logistics Agency Weapons Support (Columbus) Pathways to Career Excellence program. She began her PaCE journey in August of 2024 as a post-award contract specialist with the Strategic Acquisition Program Directorate.
Why did you first apply to the PACE Program?
I applied to the PaCE program after attending a spring education event at DLA Weapons Support (Columbus). I met a gentleman at the event who was a Quality Assurance supervisor and after some conversation, he thought I would be a great candidate for the PaCE Program. The PaCE Program offered great opportunities in skills development, networking and career progression, which was something I was seeking. It was a no-brainer decision.
What is your professional background?
I previously worked at Defense Finance and Accounting Service as an accounting technician in Vendor Pay for the United States Air Force and Unites States Space Force. I was responsible for processing various types of invoice payments which included miscellaneous, government purchase card, PowerTrack freight payments and grants. I was a subject matter expert in a couple of these processes. I participated in the yearly devolution exercise with our partner site obligating funds and processing payments for different specialties. Additionally, I also took responsibility in researching and assembling demand packages/debt notifications.
What have been your favorite parts of the PaCE Program?
Meeting new people with varying backgrounds and experiences in the PaCE journey has been one of my favorite parts. It has provided me the opportunity to really begin to build a foundation – a support system, especially when I encounter new and challenging problems. Again, I’ve truly enjoyed getting to know my entire PaCE class; I can’t wait to see and celebrate all our future wins together.
Can you share an example of how you’re helping (or learning to help) the warfighter?
When I think of the warfighter, I think of my family. I have combat veterans in my family – my stepfather was a POW during Vietnam and a Purple Heart recipient, and I have family currently deployed – so every action I take feels personal to me and very important to get the warfighter what they need when they need it while abiding within the legal framework.
I was lucky enough to get assigned to an exciting and very supportive team with interesting work. My work is exclusive to a sole source indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract that contains nearly 40,000 items that are difficult to procure and may not have been ordered for a long period of time. There are instances where a customer has had an urgent request for a partial expedited delivery of a part that supports downed equipment or where the vendor has attempted to no bid on a high priority item for reasons such as an incomplete drawing. Collaboration with our hard-working product specialists enabled me in those situations to get timely drawings and seek resolutions. Additionally, having daily interaction with the vendor and an established rapport, using good and responsive communication, has resulted in expedited deliveries.
What would you say is the most important quality to succeed in the PaCE Program?
From my experience with the PaCE program, an important quality to ensure daily success is to stay curious. Your curiosity is what activates your critical thinking cap and allows you to hone your research skills.
For example, being curious has granted me the ability to build and organize a “toolbox” of various sources and materials to help tackle the post-award issues that I encounter. I consistently face new problems and at least with an evolving toolbox born from curiosity, I have a good foundation of sources to help with the problem-solving process.
In your own words, how would you describe the PaCE Program, and what can you gain from it?
The PaCE Program, whether you are fresh out of college or changing careers into something completely new, is an opportunity to be a part of something meaningful where you get to support your country and its warfighters. You get to benefit from a structured training program inclusive of traditional classroom instruction and on-the-job training that lays out a path for you to attain a fulfilling and rewarding career. Your exposure inside this program will push you into new experiences where you will pick up new skills along the way, making you more of a fully realized candidate in future moves.
What are your plans for your future in the agency?
As for my plans for the future at DLA, I look to keep learning and absorbing as much knowledge as I am able from top to bottom from the most recent entrants to the most senior members. I believe for me, this will help me to become a more fully-fledged contributor to the mission and help bring into focus what could be my plans for the future in the agency.
My more immediate plan in the agency is to pass my contracting certification exam and continue to chase opportunities to grow.
Editorial Note: The DLA Weapons Support (Columbus) Pathways to Career Excellence Program is a two-year program based in Columbus, Ohio, that provides a structured career path with formal training, on-the-job assignments, cross-training and rotational assignments. PaCERs begin as general schedule 7s and can advance to GS-11or GS-12 upon completion. There are multiple pathways to becoming a PaCER, including being hired internally, as a recent graduate or from military service. For more information, visit www.dla.mil/Careers/PaCE