# Agency director outlines DLA’s direction during Battle Creek trip

/ Published July 25, 2024
BATTLE CREEK, Mich., 
Defense Logistics Agency Director Army Lt. Gen. Mark Simerly shared his vision for the organization’s future during a whirlwind one-day visit to Battle Creek, Michigan, July 23.

“Our ability to sustain the fight is changing and it’s threatened,” Simerly told agency leaders gathered at the Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center. “So, we have to think, act, and operate differently if we’re going to be able to meet our responsibilities.”                Defense Logistics Agency Director Army Lt. Gen. Mark Simerly addresses DLA Disposition Services leaders during a visit to Battle Creek, Michigan, July 23.                            240723-D-OS362-0034                            Defense Logistics Agency Director Army Lt. Gen. Mark Simerly addresses DLA Disposition Services leaders during a visit to Battle Creek, Michigan, July 23.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Jase ArmstrongVIRIN: 240723-D-OS362-0034

Simerly said military logistics is now contested by U.S. adversaries across all domains, and the growing risks should be seen as “a call to action to transform and be ready.” He said a new agency strategy would arrive in August that prioritizes readiness to immediately transition to a warfighting posture, and he looked forward to seeing how the major sub-commands like DLA Disposition Services would update their annual operating plans to support DLA’s shifting goals.

“I want you all to be able to see yourselves in [DLA’s] strategy,” he said. “Be demanding of yourselves, your team, and set high standards when developing an AOP to support the strategy.”

Simerly’s packed itinerary included training facility tours and meet-and-greets at the Battle Creek Air National Guard Base, a luncheon with the agency’s local leadership team, and a strategy briefing with DLA Disposition Services headquarters staff and its regional directors.

Simerly praised the agency’s reverse logisticians for their professional execution of critical functions the armed services cannot handle on their own and could not operate without. He took time to acknowledge several of the larger, more complex efforts major sub-command personnel had recently tackled, like the absorption of DLA Document Services and its unique mission into the DLA Disposition Services portfolio. He praised property disposal field sites for leading the way in their “aggressive, thorough” adoption of the Warehouse Management System. He thanked specialists for their handling of intensive installation-specific Army equipment divestiture projects and said he expected the biggest parts of that effort are yet to come. He commended personnel for the flawless handling of former Confederacy-related signage and related materials ordered destroyed by the Defense Department, and he relayed thanks from high-level Army Corps of Engineers leadership for the ongoing assistance with border wall material turn-ins.                Defense Logistics Agency Director Army Lt. Gen. Mark Simerly poses for a group photo with DLA Disposition Services Expeditionary Workforce Operations Course participants during a visit to the Battle Creek Air National Guard Base in Michigan July 23. The course prepares reverse logistics specialists for downrange work with hands-on instruction in material handling equipment, armor cutting systems, equipment shredders and modular field site construction.                            240723-D-YU183-0093                            Defense Logistics Agency Director Army Lt. Gen. Mark Simerly poses for a group photo with DLA Disposition Services Expeditionary Workforce Operations Course participants during a visit to the Battle Creek Air National Guard Base in Michigan July 23. The course prepares reverse logistics specialists for downrange work with hands-on instruction in material handling equipment, armor cutting systems, equipment shredders and modular field site construction.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Jeff LandenbergerVIRIN: 240723-D-YU183-0093

“I know that you strive every day to find ways to do it better, at better value, and with more responsiveness,” he said.

Simerly also shared his leadership philosophy and expectations, imploring staff to always operate with integrity and work to develop trust, discipline and commitment.

“Each one of you has the exact same responsibility I do,” he said. “To ensure every member of our team knows that we are champions for them and their ability to optimize their potential in this organization.”

Simerly encouraged the Battle Creek and DLA Disposition Services teams to read a recently published paper outlining agency priorities titled The Defense Logistics Agency’ s Role in Overcoming the Challenges of Contested Logistics, available online to Common Access Card holders.