FORT BELVOIR, Va. –
The newest episode in the Defense Logistics Agency’s podcast series describes how the agency’s Warstopper Program supports the military’s rapid access to critical supplies and industrial capabilities during crises.
Industrial Capability and Warstopper Program Manager Sharon Croll described the role and evolution of the program on the monthly podcast series that tackles contested logistics topics, DLA Dialogues: From Factory to Foxhole.
“The Warstopper Program is DLA’s strategic initiative to ensure the military has rapid access to critical supplies and industrial capabilities during times of crisis or conflict,” Croll explains. “It’s not just about stockpiling; it’s about maintaining relationships, production know-how, and supply chain visibility so that DLA can respond at the speed of relevance.”
Established in the late 1980s, the Warstopper Program was developed out of lessons learned from previous conflicts, such as World War II and the Gulf War, when delays in ramping up production created bottlenecks.
The episode delves into how the program’s strategic partnerships and unique contracts keep the industrial base able to surge quickly.
“It involves unique contract structures that maintain production capabilities even during peacetime, ensuring a 'warm’ production base that can be scaled up quickly when needed,” Croll says.
Croll highlights the program’s effectiveness during recent events, noting its critical pandemic role.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, the program’s contracts were crucial in supplying over 36 million N95 masks to the Department of Defense,” she says. “This was possible because the program had already established supply chain strategies that included stockpiling components and maintaining access to finished products, ensuring readiness without the risk of spoilage.”
Looking forward, Croll describes how Warstopper is evolving.
“The program is currently transforming to enhance its surge preparedness capabilities,” she explains. “This includes expanding its scope to support a broader range of contingency scenarios and integrating more advanced risk models. By doing so, we aim to maintain a nimble and responsive defense industrial base that can adapt to any threat environment.”
The series will continue in November as Air Force Col. Ryan LeBlanc, director of the Strategic Plans and Futures branch, will discuss strategic planning and the future of DLA and how the agency is incorporating wargaming in decision making. Listeners can expect future discussions on topics like emerging cybersecurity threats and critical rare earth materials as the series continues.
Episodes of “DLA Dialogues: From Factory to Foxhole” are available on the employee Campaign of Learning portal (a DLA common access card is required), the Campaign of Learning website, DVIDS and YouTube.