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News | Oct. 28, 2016

Eisenhower students meet with DLA Distribution leaders, program alumni

By Emily Tsambiras DLA Distribution Public Affairs

Students from the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy in Washington, D.C, visited DLA Distribution Oct. 27 where they met with former graduates now serving as DLA Distribution leaders, including commanding general Army Brig. Gen. John S. Laskodi.

Before Joe Faris, DLA Distribution business development director and 2013 graduate, provided the students with an overview of DLA Distribution’s 25 distribution centers and their capabilities, Laskodi welcomed the group with a few words of advice.

“This program is phenomenal and I can say that it was one of the best years of my life.  I went straight from ICAF [now known as Eisenhower] to Iraq, where I was reunited with several of my former classmates.  So know that the connections you are making will serve you well in the rest of your career.”

Laskodi, a 2011 graduate of the program, then discussed the future of logistics within the Department of Defense, asking the group to consider how warfare is evolving and what challenges that may pose to the supply chain.  “There are issues with customs and border crossings, area denials, the barriers of time and distance; we need to start thinking differently if we want to continue to be a readiness driver for DoD.”

Next, Faris, joined by fellow graduates and Distribution leaders Army Col. Scot Doboszenski and Air Force Lt. Col. Mike Davis, highlighted special services offered by the organization such as kitting and expeditionary support and explained how DLA Distribution remains relevant to the services by delving into new business opportunities such as PBLs and new weapons systems support.

Following the briefing, students received a firsthand view of distribution operations, touring the Eastern Distribution Center, the largest distribution center within DoD, where they saw the facility’s high-rise storage and retrieval system, air lines of communications pallet build area and the Consolidation and Containerization Point processing area.

The Eisenhower School helps to prepare selected military and civilians for strategic leadership and success in developing national security strategy and in evaluating, marshalling and managing resources in the execution of that strategy.  Their visit to DLA Distribution aimed to prepare students in the supply chain management class by giving examples of distribution operations within the Department of Defense.