An official website of the United States government         Here's how you know         
**Official websites use .mil**
A **.mil** website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
**Secure .mil websites use HTTPS**
 A **lock (lock )** or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Skip to main content (Press Enter).

Defense Logistics AgencyThe Nation's Combat Logistics Support Agency

Search
Search

Search

-  Home		 
-  What DLA Offers    -  Excess Property Disposal             
  -  Document Services             
  -  Products             
  -  Services             
  -  Programs 
-  Working With DLA    -  Applications             
  -  Small Business             
  -  Federal and International Cataloging             
  -  Defense Data Standards             
  -  Events             
  -  Procurement Policies             
  -  Government Programs             
  -  Forms 
-  Organizations    -  DLA Headquarters             
  -  DLA Aviation             
  -  DLA Disposition Services             
  -  DLA Distribution             
  -  DLA Energy             
  -  DLA Land and Maritime             
  -  DLA Troop Support             
  -  DLA CENTCOM & SOCOM             
  -  DLA Europe & Africa             
  -  DLA Indo-Pacific 
-  Customer Support    -  Self Help Tools             
  -  How to Order             
  -  Find Your Order             
  -  Customer Facing Offices             
  -  Training             
  -  Brochures             
  -  Warfighter Support             
  -  Customer Service Management 
-  Careers		 
-  About DLA    -  Contact Us             
  -  Locations             
  -  Leaders             
  -  News             
  -  History             
  -  Media Gallery             
  -  DLA Campaigns 

HomeAbout DLANewsNews Article View

PHOTO INFORMATION

** Download

** Details

** Share

# A fond farewell: Commander celebrates time at DLA, says goodbye to Philly workforce

By John Dwyer IIIDLA Troop Support Public Affairs

                PHILADELPHIA  –              
Army Brig. Gen. Gavin Lawrence said goodbye to the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support during a relinquishment of command ceremony in his honor May 14 in Philadelphia.

The ceremony marked Lawrence’s transition from DLA Troop Support after serving nearly two years and guiding the organization through the challenges of a pandemic while providing more than $19 billion per year in support to the warfighter and nation while improving the culture of the team.

“It was just awesome to see [the Troop Support workforce] in action, and humbling to be a part of it during this brief period that I’ve had the good fortune to command this organization,” Lawrence said.

Lawrence returned to his hometown of Philadelphia in June 2019 as the commander, having grown up less than 15 minutes away in Roslyn, Pennsylvania and serving as the aide-de-camp to the commander previously in his Army career.

Less than nine months later, the world changed due to COVID-19. Lawrence’s pace in transforming global logistics from his role as the DLA Troop Support Commander accomplished:
                              - $19.1 billion in fiscal 2020 warfighter support,
                              - $13 billion in Small Business contracts,
                              - More than $1 billion in COVID-19 relief for the nation,
                              - Realignment of Class IX hardware items and workforce, and
                              - 10% increase in positive organizational climate and culture feedback.

“When the nation responds to crisis and requires contingency support, among the first to receive the call is DLA, and by proxy, DLA Troop Support,” Lawrence said.

DLA Director Navy Vice Adm. Michelle Skubic presided over the ceremony, thanking Lawrence for these accomplishments and wishing him well.

“Your leadership of DLA Troop Support over these two years has been masterful. On behalf of DLA, I want to thank you for a job well done,” Skubic said.

Lawrence was humbled by the thanks, passing it on to his DLA Troop Support team in acknowledgement of their “on time, on target” support of the warfighter and nation.  

“When I am asked, I tell everyone: Troop Support is what Troop Support does best,” Lawrence said. “As I give up the reins today I leave confident that you are ready, and you are postured, to continue to answer the [nation’s] call ... to provide the highest level of support to the warfighter.”

Lawrence’s next assignment will be the Deputy Chief of Staff for logistics with the U.S. Army Forces Command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Deputy Commander Richard Ellis will assume the authority of command for DLA Troop Support until the new, yet-to-be-named, military commander arrives.

**                    SHARE                

**                    PRINT                

Department of DefenseDoDDefense Logistics AgencyDLA Troop SupportRelinquishment of Command ceremony