# Eisenhower School visits DLA Distribution, gets first-hand lesson in global logistics support

/ Published March 16, 2022
NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa., 
Students from the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy visited Defense Logistics Agency Distribution March 4, the school’s first in-person visit since COVID-19 related restrictions were put in place.

In addition to a briefing by Joe Faris, DLA Distribution business development director, on what DLA Distribution does, the students had an extensive question and answer session with Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Keith D. Reventlow, commanding general of DLA Distribution.

Reventlow explained to the group how the skills of every individual in a very diversified workforce of over 10,000 employees combines to meet the needs of the warfighter, especially in the last tactical mile, the phrase used to describe what ultimately gets anything needed into the warfighters’ hands.

                Students from the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy receive a tour of the Eastern Distrsibution Center at Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, March 4, 2022. (Photo by Matthew Mahoney)                            Eisenhower School visits DLA Distribution, gets first-hand lesson in global logistics support                            Students from the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy receive a tour of the Eastern Distrsibution Center at Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, March 4, 2022. (Photo by Matthew Mahoney)            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Matthew MahoneyVIRIN: 220304-D-VQ057-0003

The class represented a wide variety of military and government occupations, including foreign partners from Canada and Ghana. Everyone had some experience with either how their own country, branch of service or section of government handled resources and the strategic distribution of assets. The tour and briefing of how DLA Distribution conducts business was an insight into the multiple complexities and challenges in establishing a global logistics network capable of day-to-day operations as well as rapid scaling for contingencies.

“Part of our objective in giving this briefing to you,” said Faris, “is when you get to your commands and your posts, and you encounter a logistics problem – call us.”The class took advantage of the direct knowledge Reventlow provided and asked questions ranging from cyber security to forward positioning of material.

The class learned about data driven decision making processes as well as a host of improvements being made to modernize the DLA Distribution network.After receiving a briefing that highlighted a high-level view of what DLA Distribution does, the students took a tour of DLA Distribution Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, to see what the actual hands on effort looks like and to see current modernization efforts.

A large part of the briefing and tour included a detailed description of how much the supply effort relies on contracts with industry partners and vendors. Contract agreements affect multiple areas of the distribution network, from the planning level to the hands-on material level.

                Students from the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy receive a briefing detailing the operations and capabilities of Defense Logistics Agency Distribution from Joe Faris, director of business development March 4, 2022. (Photo by Matthew Mahoney)                            Eisenhower School visits DLA Distribution, gets first-hand lesson in global logistics support                            Students from the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy receive a briefing detailing the operations and capabilities of Defense Logistics Agency Distribution from Joe Faris, director of business development March 4, 2022. (Photo by Matthew Mahoney)            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Matthew MahoneyVIRIN: 220304-D-VQ057-0002