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News | Nov. 10, 2015

DLA Distribution recognizes the U.S. Marines Corps

By DLA Distribution Public Affairs DLA Distribution Public Affairs

Defense Logistics Agency Distribution employees and leadership gathered to wish a collective “Happy Birthday” to the U.S. Marines Corps November 10, in honor of the service’s 240th birthday.  November 10, 1775 was the day that the Continental Marines, later renamed the United States Marine Corps, was established and each year the nation celebrates United States Marine Corps Day.

Opening the celebration, DLA Distribution commander Army Brig. Gen. Richard Dix described how  The United States Marine Corps, a branch of the United States Armed Forces, is responsible for providing power projection from the sea using the mobility of the United States Navy to rapidly deliver combined-arms task forces.

“The birth of the U.S. Marine Corps began as a way to augment naval forces in the Revolutionary War.  In fact, the recruiting headquarters was located just a few hours from here in Philadelphia, Pa., which is considered to be the birthplace of the Marines,” said Dix.

“The Corps was abolished at the end of the Revolutionary War, however, on July 11, 1798, Congress ordered the creation of the Corps, named it the United States Marine Corps and directed that it be available for service under the Secretary of the Navy,” he continued. “This year also marks the 100th anniversary of Parris Island.  Marines were first stationed at Parris Island deep in the salt marshes of South Carolina in 1891. On Nov. 1, 1915, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island was officially designated as a recruit training base, and it has been making Marines ever since.”

Dix then recognized Marine Corps Maj. John Simpson and, Marine Corps Lt. Col. Keith Nunn for their willingness to deploy at a moment’s notice in support of DLA’s humanitarian assistance mission for Syrian refugees.  Scott Rosbaugh, director, DLA Distribution Strategic Plans, accepted the award on behalf of Simpson and Nunn who are still on deployment. 

In closing, Dix thanked all of the organization’s active, reserve and retired Marines.

DLA Distribution provides services to Marine customers at DLA Distribution Albany, Ga., and DLA Distribution Barstow, Calif.  A total of 36.4 thousand national stock numbers, $3.3 billion in inventory and 12.5 million lines received/issued at our Marine collocated distribution centers.  DLA Distribution Albany stocks a wide range of retail items used in support of the Marine Depot Maintenance Command. Items stored include vehicle data plates, weapon parts, nuts, bolts and washers. The Albany distribution center also performs kitting and inventories of the lineside stock items in support of the various production lines located within the local maintenance activity. DLA Distribution Barstow’s Yermo Annex is home to the Industrial Support operation that provides receipt, storage, issue and delivery processes for the Yermo-based Marine Corps Maintenance Depot in Barstow. This operation delivers on a real-time demand schedule to support production lines, producing a variety of wheeled and track vehicles. With a hot, dry desert climate, Barstow is an ideal location for outdoor storage for large tactical vehicles and equipment. Among the major items stored outside are Tracked and Wheeled Vehicles, ship propellers and drive shafts, anchors and radar units.