# Employee Spotlight: David Tran

/ Published Aug. 9, 2021
BATTLE CREEK, Mich., 
**David Tran, DLA Disposition Services U.S. Army Reserves/Chief, Support Operations**

                David Tran Employee Spotlight                            Chief of Support Operations Capt. David V. Tran while serving at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: DLA Disposition ServicesVIRIN: 210806-D-D0441-201**Can you tell us about yourself?**I’m a Logistics Officer at DLA DSU-2 in Anniston, AL and a Property Disposal Specialist in my civilian career with GSA in Atlanta, GA. I was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, but relocated and have been in metro-Atlanta since 2014.

**Describe your job in a sentence or two. What do you do specifically?**I manage the intelligence, operations, and logistic staff functions within the directorate.

**How long have you worked for the federal government including military service?** 21 years in the military and 12 years as federal civilian).

**How long have you worked for DLA Disposition Services?** Since March 2019.

**What aspect(s) of your current job gives you the most personal satisfaction and why?** Reutilization, Transfer, Donation (RTD) of the disposal process because of the dual benefits of potentially meeting customers’ requirements while simultaneously being fiscally responsible, tax stewards.

**What is the best piece of advice someone has given you?** Dress for the job you want. Not for the one you have.

**What kind(s) of training and education helps your work performance in your current role?** As a service member in Disposition Services, having demilitarization and Airborne Early Warning & Control training is mandatory. Unfortunately, I couldn’t attend them at Battle Creek during the lockdown, but I found an alternative solution. Completing the Army’s Logistics Captains Career Course and my MBA at Georgia Tech helps me perform as a leader and staff member. 

**What would you say has been your major contributions to your organization this year in your job?** Assisted the Directorate in improving all aspects of their operational metrics. 

**If you could speak directly to the warfighters you support, what would you tell them?**Please don’t speed in our yard. Our Operations Supervisor has enough issues.

**Where do you see yourself five years from now?** In my civilian career, I expect to be in a managerial position within the federal government. For my military career, I will become a major and completing a staff officer assignment.

**Tell us something that most people might not know about you or your directorate?** DSD-Central is the most challenging Directorate to work for, but provides the most personal and professional growth. 

**What is your best memory of working here?**Assisted in ending the Disposition Services mission in Afghanistan and bringing all our civilians home safely.   

**What was your first job?** Concession at a movie theater.

**Who’s your biggest influence?**People taller than 5’2. They bring out the Napoleon Complex in me.

**Name your favorite/recent book(s) you have read.** Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

**What are some of your passions outside of work?** Food.

**What is your favorite quote?** “A man who doesn’t spend time with his family can never be a real man.” 

**What did you want to be when you grew up?**Taller.   

**Who is your hero?** Rocky Balboa.  

**If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be?** Forgiving the student loan debt of every American.    

**What’s the most thrilling/adventurous thing you have ever done?** Live in the jungles of Vietnam.

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Employee spotlight regularly features employees throughout the Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services and other DLA organizations located at the Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center in Battle Creek, Michigan. Organizational directors may submit feature request to DLA Disposition Services Public Affairs.