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# PaCE Spotlight: Thomas Martorana 

By Liz NorveyDLA Disposition Services Pathways to Career Excellence Program

                BATTLE CREEK, Mich.   –              
Thomas Martorana is a current member of Pathways to Career Excellence Program Group 44, which began in 2022. For his second year in the PaCE Program, he will be placed at the Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services site at Fort Liberty, North Carolina.

                DLA Disposition Services PaCEr Thomas Martorana                            Thomas Martorana is a current member of Pathways to Career Excellence Program Group 44, which began in 2022.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Jace ArmstrongVIRIN: 230718-D-D0441-200**In your own words, how would you describe the PaCE program, and what can you gain from it? **

The PaCE Program is a career building block to learn different skills. You receive on-the-job training at the headquarters’ location in Battle Creek, Michigan, and at the field sites. I have gained valuable experience and skills like effective briefing that I can use during my DLA career.

**Why did you first apply to the PaCE Program?**

I applied to the PaCE Program because I felt it was the next step for me after just earning my bachelor’s degree in environmental management.

**What is your DLA experience?**

I’ve worked for DLA for three years. I started my DLA career as a GS-5 material examiner tech. When I got accepted to the PaCE Program, I was Wage Grade-6, material identifier and examiner and forklift driver.

**What have been your favorite parts of the PaCE Program?**

Visiting other field sites and shadowing the DLA Disposition Services Director Mike Cannon, meeting the different people at Headquarters and making new friends.

**Do you have a favorite memory from your time in the program?**

Traveling with my fellow PaCERs to different field sites and hanging out with them.

**If there was one thing that could’ve been different for you in the PaCE program, what would it be?**

Avoiding Michigan’s winter. LOL! No, I have enjoyed all of it.

**What would you say is the most important quality to succeed in the PaCE Program?**

Utilize all the resources that are available for you, practice time management and be a team player. You also need to have a willingness to learn new skills.

**What your plans for your future in the agency?**

I would like work in the environmental field - hopefully as a GS-13 or 14.

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*Editorial Note: The Pathways to Career Excellence Program for DLA Disposition Services is a two-year program that takes PaCERs through all of Disposition Services and its processes to learn as much as possible about the directorate. The first year takes place at DLA Disposition Services Headquarters in Battle Creek, Michigan, and the second year either takes place in Battle Creek for Contracting PaCERs or at an assigned field site for Property Disposal PaCERs. PaCERs begin as general schedule 7s, move to GS-9s at the end of their first year, and graduate the program as GS-11s. There are multiple pathways to becoming a PaCER, including being hired internally, as a recent graduate, or from military service.*

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