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News | Oct. 10, 2018

Troop Support Academy gives DLA employees first-hand glimpse of warfighter support

By Alexandria Brimage-Gray DLA Troop Support Public Affairs

Some Defense Logistics Agency employees have never worn the uniform. Their only point of reference to the many items that they procure is a national stock number or cage code.  The recent Troop Support Academy held Oct. 2-4 gave them a first-hand look at the numerous items they provide to the warfighter each day.

 

“Troop Support Academy was developed as a training initiative to inform our employees of 

 the scope of products and services managed by them each day,” said Army Brig. Gen. Mark Simerly, DLA Troop Support commander.

 

After Simerly welcomed the nearly 100 DLA employees to the academy, Army Brig. Gen. Anthony Potts, commander, Program Executive Office Soldier, reminded the participants that whether they sit on the battlefield or 6,000 miles away, what they do matters.

 

“There are young men and women out there who have no idea who you are, will never know what you look like or know your name. Yet they trust you,” said Potts. “They trust that every single day, that you have done what you are supposed to do to get them the equipment that they need to come home to their families.”

 

During the three-day event, civilian and military employees received briefings on the capabilities of Troop Support’s five supply chains, its worldwide mission.  A site visit to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey provided the participants an opportunity to view equipment used by the airmen there.

 

Rosalie Pena, a six-year DLA employee and demand planner with the Clothing and Textiles supply chain, said the academy helped connect her work with the warfighters she supports.

 

“The academy is a reminder of the impact that you are making, and I get to see the end product which is something that I do not get to see on a daily basis,” she said. “I am so excited to see how my role impacts the warfighter, and to hear their perspective makes my job even more rewarding.”