COLUMBUS, Ohio –
Molly Teegarden is a current member of the Defense Logistics Agency Weapons Support (Columbus) Pathways to Career Excellence program. She began her PaCE journey in September 2024 and will graduate September 2026 as a pre-award contract specialist.
Why did you first apply to the PaCE program?
This opportunity was ideal to utilize my prior military experience, while continuing serving the Department in another way after military retirement. Some of my background in military pay, budget and purchasing exposed me to military base contracting. I have had an interest in becoming a contracting officer because of those experiences, and the PaCE program seemed like the perfect path.
What is your professional background?
I retired from the military with 22 years of service. Many of those years were in full-time status. I was very fortunate to have a varied background in military broadcast journalism, finance, commander’s support staff, communications, public affairs and logistics. There were a handful of years when I stayed home with my kids and attended college. I also worked in the civilian sector for a couple of years in the substance abuse and mental health field as a counselor. I like to say I’m a ‘jack of all trades and a master of some.’
What have been your favorite parts of the PaCE program?
I enjoy the humor and support of my fellow PaCER classmates. We have all been overwhelmed at certain points and lifted each other up when we can. I appreciate that we can be lighthearted and supportive of one another, even though we are spread across different teams. My PaCER friends have made the training classes much more enjoyable. I also enjoy my team. They were very welcoming when I transitioned to the floor and made me feel like a teammate right away.
Can you share an example of how you’re helping (or learning to help) the warfighter?
I have always had a helper mentality that makes me ask questions, reach outside my comfort zone and pursue mastery of a task to help the greater good. I focus on the person waiting for the delivery of the purchase requests in my workload. When I’m frustrated with a PR or vendor, I keep the mentality that the warfighter needs that item to do their job. I have been on the military end of a supply chain breakdown and know the frustration firsthand. This motivates me to work as hard as I can to be a better buyer and problem solve difficult PRs.
If you could change one aspect of your experience in the PaCE program, what would it be?
I would spend a rotation in post award. I'm in pre award and feel that seeing the other areas of DLA contracting would be beneficial in my early buying career. I benefit from seeing a process from start to finish as a learner. This helps me understand the ‘why’ better as well.
What would you say is the most important quality to succeed in the PaCE program?
I think the most important quality is humility and the ability to accept that you will make many mistakes before you ‘get the hang’ of awarding. I tend to be incredibly hard on myself when I make mistakes, and I had to embrace the reality that it’s a long process to becoming a proficient buyer. It has been humbling starting a new chapter in my career and not being the expert.
In your own words, how would you describe the PaCE program, and what can you gain from it?
This program is similar to a college degree in contracting or an extremely fast paced technical trade school. You are truly a student first and foremost. DLA offers a rare opportunity to enter the world of government contracting with a high-volume workload. This exposure allows you to become a proficient contracting officer in a much shorter window of time than other agencies.
What are your plans for your future in the agency?
This year has reminded me how important it is to remain flexible and open minded. My only focus right now is finishing the PaCE program. I have a willingness to learn and a never-ending desire to grow as a person, so I try not to have such a strict view of where my career will lead. I look forward to wherever contracting calls me in the future.
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/.