# Homecoming event recognizes mission contributions of forward presence associates 

/ Published July 12, 2018
COLUMBUS, Ohio, 
                Ricky Davis (center), Customer Service Representative working out of Fort Bliss, Texas,  was one of the approximately 50 DLA Land and Maritime CSRs who got to meet and greet one another during a break in their week long training session during their June 25 Homecoming event. The event, held on the Defense Supply Center Columbus installation provided varied training sessions as well as critical networking opportunities for the forward presence associates.                            CSRs attends homecoming event                            Ricky Davis (center), Customer Service Representative working out of Fort Bliss, Texas,  was one of the approximately 50 DLA Land and Maritime CSRs who got to meet and greet one another during a break in their week long training session during their June 25 Homecoming event. The event, held on the Defense Supply Center Columbus installation provided varied training sessions as well as critical networking opportunities for the forward presence associates.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Michael RowlandVIRIN: 180625-D-RE244-0001Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime welcomed home approximately 50 of its forward presence associates June 25 for a weeklong opportunity to reenergize and ensure everyone is familiar with updated procurement guidelines. The homecoming event also provided priceless networking possibilities and other essential training requirements.

The annual homecoming encourages face-to-face interaction between the forward presence personnel.  Customer support representatives, customer logistics site specialists, acquisition personnel and more converged on Defense Supply Center Columbus, carving out critical training time from their daily interactions with Land and Maritime’s military customers. 

While the group represented a cross section from Land and Maritime’s acquisition workforce, it had both first time and repeat homecoming attendees. One of those newcomers was Land and Maritime Customer Service Representative Darryl Melvin. 

“This was my first Homecoming event since joining DLA Land and Maritime in October of 2017,” Melvin said.  “It was another opportunity to meet with fellow CSRs located at different installations, and some who serve around the globe. The information shared by different Land and Maritime entities was very useful; it will enable me to continue to provide world class support to my Fort Bragg, North Carolina customers.”

                Gene Williams (center), deputy director of DLA Land Customer Operations, pauses with a group of CSRs attending the Homecoming event. Williams is holding a picture that was part of an award recognizing teamwork among the forward presence workforce.                            CSRs attend Homecoming event                            Gene Williams (center), deputy director of DLA Land Customer Operations, pauses with a group of CSRs attending the Homecoming event. Williams is holding a picture that was part of an award recognizing teamwork among the forward presence workforce.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Michael RowlandVIRIN: 180625-D-RE244-0032The homecoming visit was sandwiched between the conclusion of the successful Land and Maritime Supplier Conference that ended June 20 and the DLA Land and Maritime change of command and promotion ceremony held June 27, just two days after the group’s arrival. 

Newly minted DLA Land and Maritime Commander, Navy Rear Adm. John Palmer met with the group and spoke positively about their importance to Land and Maritime’s warfighter support mission. “I enjoyed meeting with them and appreciate how critical they are for their collocated customers,” Palmer said. 

Palmer took advantage of the time together to provide the group with an advance introduction to his planned initial Town Hall presentation scheduled for July 10. Palmer previously shared the presentation with his new Land and Maritime leadership team.

While in Columbus, the group attended a customized version of the Land and Maritime Academy and participated in other collaborative training sessions. The group was even able to take in a local semi–professional baseball game during one of their networking activities. 

Melvin rated the Homecoming event as very successful and said it was certainly a reflection of DLA’s warfighter first mentality.