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News | Oct. 14, 2015

DLA senior leaders impressed with Troop Support's confidence, efficiency

By Mikia Muhammad DLA Troop Support Public Affairs

Defense Logistics Agency’s Senior Enlisted Leader Army Command Sgt. Maj. Charles Tobin and Foreign Policy Advisor Dolores Brown learned about DLA Troop Support’s mission and capabilities during a visit to Philadelphia Oct. 8.

Tobin said he is impressed by the magnitude of what DLA Troop Support does in support of its warfighter-focused mission. He and Brown received briefings from each supply chain: Subsistence, Clothing and Textiles, Construction and Equipment, Medical and Industrial Hardware.

“What amazes me not just at Troop Support, but across the agency itself is the attitude of the folks that work out there,” Tobin said. “I can’t describe it in words; it speaks volumes to what they do every day.”

Brown said she had some insight to DLA Troop Support’s capabilities after previously working with representatives on a humanitarian assistance effort.

“I was impressed with how much confidence and efficiency the people I saw were bringing to the task,” Brown said. “And my visit here has only reinforced that notion.”

Brown said she is astounded by the wide range of items the organization manages.

“What is interesting to me is that (DLA Troop Support) runs the gamut from fresh fruit to flags, to industrial hardware,” she said. “The sheer variety and volume of what you do is amazing to me because I come from a much smaller agency.”

Brown is currently on detail from the Department of State, serving DLA for the next two years, she explained.

While learning about Troop Support’s customers, including the military service branches and other federal agencies, Tobin inquired about the support DLA headquarters provides to its primary field level activities, including Troop Support.

“What are we doing at (DLA) headquarters to support our PLFAs?” Tobin asked. “It seems they’re pretty self-sufficient, but I want them to feel comfortable giving us a call if they need anything.”

Tobin and Brown’s last stop of the day was to C&T’s Flag Room, a historical workspace where the presidential, vice presidential and military unit flags are made.

“What I really want (the Flag Room staff) to know is that what they do absolutely makes a difference,” Tobin said. “History starts right here. Whenever I’m sitting in a ceremony I will always think about you all here because we take it for granted. I wish the (flag makers) could see the end result of their work.”