Director of the DLA Joint Reserve Force explores the place of reservists in the global logistics environment > Defense Logistics Agency > News Article View

NEW CUMBERLAND, Pennsylvania –

Army Gen. Tripp Bowles, director of the Joint Reserve Force Defense Logistics Agency, visited DLA Distribution to get an overview of the entire DLA Distribution mission and learn where reservists s are part of this mission.

“I can see the balance going on,” Bowles said, speaking of his own civilian career and how DLA Distribution is balancing operations with global supply chain issues, contested logistics and the demands of the assignment.

DLA Distribution management explained how, through research and data, the agency was able to save the military approximately $25 million per year with guaranteed ground deliveries instead of commercial aircraft, all without impact on the preparation of combatants.

DLA Distribution’s current and future operations provide opportunities for reservists to fill roles, but they also present challenges as to where reservists are trained and for how long.

One of the challenges facing reserve force recruiting is knowing where service members will train and for how long. Being away from family for too long can deter people from joining the reserves.

DLA Distribution is currently training teams on the American continent for missions likely to have a global deployment.

One area Bowles sees potential for reserve forces is for contract officers to meet mission requirements. The expeditionary unit, DLA Distribution Expeditionary, sees great potential in using reservists on FEMA support missions.

DLA Distribution has the ability to grow quickly to meet mission requirements using the Expeditionary Global Distribution Contract. The GDEC is how DLA Distribution can quickly hire workers to respond to contingencies and humanitarian crises. Reservists can play a key role in meeting all rapid response mission requirements through proper training and use of the GDEC.