# Professional development session improves support to special operations missions

/ Published March 4, 2020
PHILADELPHIA, 
Customers from the special operations community received insight on how the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support meets their medical requirements during a visit Feb. 28 in Philadelphia.

The DLA Troop Support Medical supply chain hosted three members from the Joint Special Operations Command as part of a Leader Professional Development event to teach them about Medical’s programs and open dialogue on issues, processes and future JSOC medical requirements.

                Air Force Lt. Col. Matt Cowan, a DLA Troop Support Medical pharmacist, speaks with Tom Maier, a Joint Special Operations Command logistics team lead, during a visit at DLA Troop Support Feb. 28, 2020 in Philadelphia. The DLA Troop Support Medical supply chain hosted three members from JSOC to open dialogue on issues, programs and future requirements.                            Professional development session improves support to special operations missions                            Air Force Lt. Col. Matt Cowan, a DLA Troop Support Medical pharmacist, speaks with Tom Maier, a Joint Special Operations Command logistics team lead, during a visit at DLA Troop Support Feb. 28, 2020 in Philadelphia. The DLA Troop Support Medical supply chain hosted three members from JSOC to open dialogue on issues, programs and future requirements.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Shaun EaganVIRIN: 200228-D-CB802-0019“This LPD allows Medical personnel to provide a complete overview of our programs and capabilities, thus increasing our customer’s knowledge on which assistance is available,” explained Army Maj. Ed Caudell, the Medical supply chain’s Medical Materiel Executive Agent cell chief and LPD lead. “It also provides a face-to-face interaction between our program managers and the customer, which enables discussion on how to better support their organizations.”

Yvonne Poplawski, Medical’s Collective/Whole of Government division chief, oversees a team that is currently supporting a handful of JSOC’s new medical initiatives that require unique support.

For example, JSOC is currently acquiring customizable medical kits through the Made-To-Order Kitting program, and some of those kits include 561 durable, expendable and non-expendable medical/surgical and pharmaceutical items.

                Gabriela Moraga, a Medical tailored vendor logistics specialist, listens during a presentation at DLA Troop Support Feb. 28, 2020 in Philadelphia. The DLA Troop Support Medical supply chain hosted three members from JSOC to open dialogue on issues, programs and future requirements                            Professional development session improves support to special operations missions                            Gabriela Moraga, a Medical tailored vendor logistics specialist, listens during a presentation at DLA Troop Support Feb. 28, 2020 in Philadelphia. The DLA Troop Support Medical supply chain hosted three members from JSOC to open dialogue on issues, programs and future requirements            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Shaun EaganVIRIN: 200228-D-CB802-0024Poplawski said the visit helped her team better understand the JSOC requirements, and helped identify ways they can help Medical foster its partnerships and improve support to the warfighters through the initiatives.

“This face-to-face customer engagement with JSOC assisted in strengthening our partnership as we continue leveraging our strategic contracts to enhance their improved responsiveness,” Poplawski said. “This was a great engagement that demonstrates our commitment to strong partnerships through implementing new customer engagement strategies.”

Although the focus was on the engagement between Medical and the JSOC customers, the LPD session also served as an internal training tool, keeping Medical personnel updated on programs across the supply chain. 

Caudell said Medical teams are always available to discuss programs and services with customers. For those interested in scheduling a visit, they should reach out to their program’s main contact for more information.