DLA News Archive

April 1, 2025

Commentary: Civil defense leads DLA to catastrophe response, whole-of-government support

FORT BELVOIR, Va. — There is a common misconception that DLA became a whole-of-government provider after Hurricane Katrina. While DLA did systemize its catastrophe response following the 2005 destruction of New Orleans, it's been helping the nation react to weather events since the early 1970s.

Feb. 10, 2025

What’s in a name? The accuracy and uses of DLA’s title

FORT BELVOIR, Va. — The apparent clarity of DLA's name belies the messiness that created it.

Jan. 8, 2025

In memoriam: President Jimmy Carter, 1924-2024

FORT BELVOIR, Va. — Mourning is remembering. As the nation reflects on the life of Jimmy Carter, it’s helpful to recall the many ways his administration changed the Defense Department, and what those changes meant for the Defense Logistics Agency.

Dec. 20, 2024

A short history of business systems modernization, Part 3

FORT BELVOIR, Va. — After years losing ground to commercial offerings, DLA finally began implementing Business Systems Modernization in November 2001. It also instituted fundamental change that included office reconfigurations and new job descriptions.

Dec. 19, 2024

A short history of business systems modernization, Part 2

FORT BELVOIR, Va. — In this historical commentary, learn how DLA leaders expanded the agency's technology reform after realizing that merely replacing signature technology wouldn’t solve the myriad problems plaguing it.

Dec. 18, 2024

A short history of business systems modernization, Part 1

FORT BELVOIR, Va. — This article is the first of three chronicling Business Systems Modernization, the journey DLA took to replace its signature management technology.

June 21, 2024

Consumable item growth at DLA: From 67% to ‘Almost All’

FORT BELVOIR, Va. — DLA's management of consumable items rose from 39% of the military’s expendable inventory in 1962 to 67% three decades later due to steady accretion and one massive transfer. The same pattern occurred on an accelerated timeline over the next decade and a half.

June 20, 2024

Consumable item growth at DLA: From 39% to 67%

FORT BELVOIR, Va. — DLA has managed consumables such as blankets, fuel and photographic film since receiving seven commodity supply centers in 1962. This two-part series details the agency's growing responsibility for consumable items through history.

Feb. 26, 2024

Commentary: DLA’s historic, current support covers 14 of 15 executive departments

FORT BELVOIR, Va. — DLA has long been a whole-of-government provider and has supplied all but one of the nation’s 15 executive departments.

Feb. 20, 2024

Commentary: Foreign military sales reflect national policy, expand customer base

FORT BELVOIR, Va. — DLA has long provided goods and services to allied nations. From NATO cataloging in the 1960s to today’s worldwide crises, the agency has used the Foreign Military Sales program to advance national policy and realize economies of scale.