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DLA Energy News

News | Jan. 14, 2019

Soldiers train for new careers while helping agency

By Tim Hoyle DLA Dispositon Services

DLA Disposition Services interns have shown how workforce development and warfighter support can merge during transition assistance training.

All service members leaving active must participate in transition assistance to help make the change from military to civilian life.  Recently, members of the 25th Infantry Division on Hawaii have received some extra help transitioning their military skills through internships with the DLA Disposition Services site there.

Area Manager Kirk Buckner said two soldiers have already completed internships of several months and a third is training now. They came to DLA through the Army Career Skills Program, designed to offer apprenticeships, on-the-job training, job shadowing, internships and employment skills training for up to 180 days before separation from the Army.

 Buckner said the benefits for DLA Disposition Services and the candidates included receiving motivated candidates willing to learn and support the Defense Logistics Agency while gaining experience at DLA jobs, help with resumes and learning behavior based interview techniques, and help from interns with special projects.  He added that the training allows interns to learn DLA processes and requirements through protocol reviews, inspections and standard operating procedure reviews.

“They help identify areas for improvement and work with team members to make site improvements,” Buckner said.

 After completing their training at Pearl Harbor, soldiers Mark “Josh” Ramones and Tyron Fabie went on to receive job offers with DLA Distribution and DLA Troop Support.  While they did not end up DLA Disposition Services, Buckner believes “the experience they gained definitely helped these two standout among other job applicants.”

 Army 1st Lt. Jason Bryant, a fire control officer with the 25th ID, is still training, and Buckner said he is a great asset. Bryant said the time he has spent there since August 2018 has taught him more about civilian jobs than anything he did as a civilian.

“Thanks to the technical knowledge of the entire team here … I have learned how DLA runs and operates,” Bryant said. “The tasks I have completed have given me invaluable experiences that further prepared me for the transition …. I would recommend others take the opportunity if they can.”

Bryant also appreciated the “mentorship” of Peter Parker for helping him to prepare his resume and improve his job search proficiency.

“I can’t thank him enough for his expertise, and I have made life long relationships in just this short period,” Bryant said.

Bryant should be ending his internship during the February to March timeframe.