# Ready for a career challenge, try a rotational assignment

/ Published March 22, 2023
FORT BELVOIR, Va., 
Your career’s success depends on you and where you want to go.

An advantage to working for a major support command within Defense Logistics Agency headquarters is the opportunity for DLA Energy employees to work down the hall and observe high level staff work through rotational assignments.

One of the most challenging and rewarding rotational assignments under the DLA Enterprise Rotation Program is an assignment in the Strategic Initiatives Group (SIG) within the Office of the Director.

“It is a terrific opportunity for an extremely proficient, high-potential employee to learn the agency and observe 3-star leadership firsthand,” said Marty Binder, director of DLA Director's SIG.  “Additionally, supervisors find that the return on investment is just as rewarding.”     

The SIG team’s primary task is to prepare DLA senior leadership for engagements with leaders from the Military Services, the Combatant Commands, Whole of Government and international partners, Congress, and leaders in the Pentagon up to the Secretary of Defense. The SIG was established almost six years ago, with roughly half of the SIG being comprised of rotational positions, both military and civilian.  The average rotation for a strategic analyst assignment is 9 to 12 months.

Analysts who complete a rotation in the SIG can expect to have significantly improved their writing skills and expanded their network of contacts and relationships within DLA and externally, Binder added.  

“The combination of duties and assignments require a blend of quick problem-solving skills and strategic thinking; attention to detail/pride in authorship; ability to produce high quality deliverables in a result/deadline driven environment,” Binder said.

Robert Hughes just started a rotation in the SIG. When not on rotation, he is a DLA Energy Branch Chief and Contracting Officer in the Utilities Services Division. His mentor, DLA Energy Utility Services Deputy Director Laurie Carlson, advised Hughes on different avenues of professional development within the Executive Leadership Development Program.

“I chose to apply for this rotation when it came up,” Hughes said, “because I wanted to gain a better understanding of DLA’s mission and what is important to our senior leaders. The experience gained working with the SIG will further enhance my skills and will provide in-depth knowledge of the Agency; knowledge that will help me provide better support to my leadership and the Agency’s mission.”

Doug Perezsalgado is a strategic analyst who volunteered for a rotational assignment with the DLA Director’s SIG and was later selected for a full-time position within the Director’s office.

“The SIG is a conduit,” Perezsalgado said. “We are always behind the scenes flowing information down to the J codes and MSCs and coordinating with them to provide us the answers needed.”

Collaborative skills and the ability to talk to other people and share ideas and pass pertinent information is essential, Perezsalgado said. It can be intimidating at times preparing senior leaders for engagements with the OSD leadership and four-star generals, he added.

“Part of the job’s requirement is to perform under pressure,” Perezsalgado said. “One needs to be calm and levelheaded under pressure. Frequently, we are working immediate tasks that allow us only a few hours to a day to prepare.”

Working with the SIG team has it rewards. It’s a unique opportunity for individuals to gain strategic experience and exposure they are unlikely to get elsewhere in DLA.

“You will not be the same,” Perezsalgado said. “Coming from a regional command, one tends to have a stove pipe perspective or micro view. Working within the SIG, you gain a significant macro view of how the Agency operates. You have the opportunity in seeing the inner workings of three tiers of leadership above DLA, namely of the Under Secretary of Defense for Sustainment, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, up to the Secretary of Defense.”

DLA Energy has been successful in nominating candidates for leadership-oriented positions such as the SIG and the J3 Director’s Action Group and for courses under the FY23 Executive Development Program.

Patricia Littlejohn returned to DLA Energy after completing an eight-month rotation with the SIG after being selected for the position of Director of Bulk Petroleum Supply Chain Services.

“I thought I was on top of my game until I went to the SIG,” she said. “I learned so much and gained a greater appreciation of DLA.  My advice to anyone who wants to apply, is to take your time to review the assignment description and examine your motivation on why you want to do this.”

For more information about DLA Enterprise Rotation Program’s opportunities, assignment descriptions and deadlines, visit the DLA Enterprise Rotation Program web page (Common Access Card required).