BATTLE CREEK, Mich. –
For over 65 years, the Defense Logistics Agency has provided continuous equipment lifecycle management—from distribution to final disposition in support of tactical operations. Having previously supported DLA Disposition Services during my Navy Reserve deployment with Disposition Service Unit 1, I thought I knew the agency fairly well. However, transitioning into civilian processes as a first-year Pathways to Career Excellence, or PACE member, has been a major learning curve that is opening a whole new perspective for me on how we operate on a daily basis.
To prepare for a recent TDY to an e-recycling facility in Phoenix, I spoke with fellow PACERs and connected with Property Disposal Specialists Justin Funk and Leanne Marks, who served as our leads on the trip. In Phoenix, we were guided by Arizona-based Property Disposal Specialist Benjamin Cachola and worked alongside our contractor partners. The visit gave us a real, hands-on look at what it takes to demilitarize and disassemble equipment in the field.
Reclaiming Value in a Transition Period
The day-to-day mission is straightforward but critical: disassembling turned-in electronics to safely demilitarize and mutilate. Right now, the team's primary focus is keeping this support seamless as we transition to a new contract. Material Examiner and Identifier Danny Gonzales put the value of this program into perspective, saying “the e-recycling program turning waste into wealth from our military services and maximizing taxpayer dollars is just one way DLA shows its dedication to the warfighters through its people and partnership."
Finding Our Rhythm on the Floor
Dismantling secure military hardware requires precision and close collaboration with our contractor partners. Speed comes second to safety and compliance, which is why the joint team relies on a mantra Property Disposal Specialist Eric Allen likes to repeat: "Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.”
Even though the work is highly technical, the team keeps things light. As Property Disposal Specialist Piotr “Cedric” Omar pointed out, "Regardless of the situation, there’s always room for levity." That shared sense of humor is what keeps everyone focused and cohesive, especially during busy transition periods.
Real-World Training for PACERs
Phoenix served as an excellent training ground for PACE. It is a win-win setup, where experienced first year PACERs bring their field knowledge to help keep daily operations moving, while newer PACERs build essential hands-on skills. This kind of field exposure is especially important for second-year PACERs like Property Disposal Specialist Paul Turner, currently on office rotations. It keeps their technical skills sharp and maintains their connection to the actual work being done in the field. Stepping out of the office and onto the warehouse floor showed me how our daily processes directly impact warfighters.
Editorial Note: The Pathways to Career Excellence Program for DLA Disposition Services is a two-year program that takes PACERs through all of the organization's processes to learn as much as possible about its directorates and field operations. The first year takes place at DLA Disposition Services headquarters in Battle Creek, Michigan, and the second year either takes place in Battle Creek for contracting PACERs or at an assigned field site for property disposal PACERs. PACERs begin as General Schedule 7s, promote to GS-9 at the end of their first year, and graduate the program as GS-11s. There are multiple pathways to becoming a PACER, including being hired internally, joining DLA as a recent graduate, or coming directly from active military service.