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# Women’s History Month spotlight: Aybike Arslan

By DLA Energy Public Affairs

                FORT BELVOIR, Va.  –              
*Editor’s note: March is Women’s History Month and throughout the month, we will spotlight Defense Logistics Agency Energy employees who are honoring their history and making a difference through their accomplishments both in their workplace and community.*

**What is your name and where is your hometown?** Aybike Arslan. Burke, Virginia, is my hometown. 

**What is your title?** I’m the Program & Process Integration Branch chief for DLA Energy Business Process Support Directorate

**Describe your job:**As a branch chief, I advise and assist the Supply Chain System Integration & Sustainment Division chief on DLA Energy’s business operations and mission support programs. In my role, I oversee integration, coordination, and maintenance of DLA Energy Access Control operations, guidance, and support mechanisms. I provide oversight on budgetary elements associated with programs and projects relative to helpdesk support and systems management, customer contract support in EBS, and administer functional and training contracts in support of the DLA Enterprise.

**How did you get into this career field?**I felt the call to service following the events of 9/11. I wanted to get involved after the horrific attack on our homeland. I had not considered Federal civil service up until then, so I researched career tracks that would best fit my skill sets. I found my business acumen, project management and leadership strengths best aligned with federal acquisition. I joined the DLA Energy work force in 2004, under the federal intern program. 

From 2004-2014, I had the privilege to specialize in contracting in contested environments within DLA Energy’s Direct Delivery Fuels and Bulk Fuels – my purchase programs included Northern Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom; Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom; and Manas Transit Center in Kyrgyzstan. I describe my work as a privilege because it is an honor to support our troops. Our nation’s volunteer Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines are the very best and brightest representation of our society, and to think I have had so many opportunities throughout my career to work alongside them, to enable their missions, it has absolutely been my privilege.    

From 2014-2019, I was assigned to Stuttgart, Germany, to serve as the DLA Energy liaison officer to the Joint Logistics Directorates at U.S. European Command, U.S. Africa Command and North Atlantic Treaty Organization. I assisted with fuel logistics, war planning and responding to several crises including the 2014 Russian invasion of Crimea; the 2016 Turkey Coup; the 2018 Personnel Recovery and Casualty Evacuation of fallen soldiers in Niger; and in 2019 helping U.S. Special Forces get fuel in Somalia. 

In 2019, I was selected to attend senior service school at the U.S. Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, where I earned a master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. In 2020, I was embedded with the DLA’s Audit Task Force where I supported efforts to get DLA commercially audit ready. Last year, I started my position as branch chief. 

**What makes you proud about your job?**I am most proud that my job is rooted in the spirit of service. There is no job too big or too small. All of our jobs and everything we do is pointed in the same direction – to support our warfighter in defense of our Constitution, against all enemies, foreign and domestic. 

**What or who was the biggest influence on your career?** His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama is the biggest influence on my life and career. His teachings of peace, love, personal awareness and accountability, commitment, conviction, forgiveness, understanding – are all rich lessons that I apply daily at work and in my personal life. 

My favorite quote is “Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck.”  

**What advice do you have for others who may want to follow in your footsteps?** Don’t worry about making the grade, that is a hollow cause. Rather, follow your passion. Do the things that ignite your spirit to serve daily. Do the things that make you bounce out of bed. 

**This year’s theme is "Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope." Why do you think this theme is important to emphasize? How do you honor this theme?**This is an important message because those with a servant’s heart, we often put too much pressure on ourselves. In a COVID-19/telework environment, it is easy to lose perspective. I often work to keep my finger on my team’s pulse. There have been times where I’ve called to remind a teammate of what an actual crisis is. I remind them about Niger, that was a real-life crisis. While the work is important – it’s important to keep perspective, remain mindful and take care of one’s health and well-being. 

**Are there any other ways you contribute to your community or workplace?**COVID has made it difficult to get involved with community. In my free time, I follow comic storylines. Marvel, DC and help my friends collect and put together resin statues of super-heroes. It is a great way to relax and unplug.  

**Is there anything else you’d like to share/add?**I think it is important that while gender recognition has a place, it is important to also emphasize competence first. There have been many times when I have been the only female civilian in the room. I didn’t even notice, until someone pointed it out. I have often just focused on being competent, being a reliable and consistent teammate. I have found that if you know your stuff and prove it, gender distinctions often fall away. It’s about one team, one fight.

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