# DLA director has first look at mission, transformation efforts during visit to DLA Distribution

/ Published March 4, 2024
NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa., 
Army Lt. Gen. Mark T. Simerly, director, Defense Logistics Agency, and Air Force Command Chief Master Sgt. Alvin R. Dyer, senior enlisted leader, DLA, visited DLA Distribution Headquarters in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, and toured the facilities at DLA Distribution Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, Feb. 29.

During the visit, Simerly and Dyer received orientation-including the command’s modernization programs, visited the Eastern Distribution Center, and spoke with leadership and employees.“You are truly the lifeline between DLA and our customers,” he said, noting DLA Distribution touches “every aspect of the enterprise."

Simerly opened the meeting by asking how DLA can continue to be successful while competing in a contested environment while trying to transform to meet new challenges.

“How do we ensure our people are ready and have the right skill sets and have the tools they need to make the right decisions,” he said. “We need to achieve data acumen. We cannot afford to be imprecise. Leaders at every level need to take a transformative approach. We must challenge ourselves and our assumptions.”

Simerly went on to discuss two of his priorities as director -- people and culture.

                Defense Logistics Agency Director U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Mark T. Simerly, center, was given a tour of the Eastern Distribution Center, the largest warehouse in the Defense Department, Feb. 29 in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania. There he was briefed on and asked questions regarding the fine details of modernization efforts that will increase throughput by over 200%. Photo by Matthew Mahoney                            DLA director has first look at mission, transformation efforts during visit to DLA Distribution                            Defense Logistics Agency Director U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Mark T. Simerly, center, was given a tour of the Eastern Distribution Center, the largest warehouse in the Defense Department, Feb. 29 in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania. There he was briefed on and asked questions regarding the fine details of modernization efforts that will increase throughput by over 200%. Photo by Matthew Mahoney            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Matthew MahoneyVIRIN: 240229-D-VQ057-7451

“Our people are our most precious asset,” he said. “It’s vital that we have trust, discipline and commitment, that we act with integrity and in the best interests of our teammates and hold each other accountable.”

The visit was the first for Simerly since assuming command of DLA on Feb 2. He has experience with the missions of DLA, having served as DLA Troop Support’s commander from 2017 to 2019.

Navy Rear Adm. Grafton D. Chase, commander, DLA Distribution, provided a brief overview of the command, its key initiatives and priorities, including network optimization, modernization, performance, people, culture and training, and the Warehouse Management System-an initiative to modernize the Distribution Standard System utilized by DLA Distribution, as well as, DLA Disposition Services to conduct warehousing and transportation functions. The WMS project uses commercial, off-the-shelf software and offers benefits ranging from improved productivity and streamlined processes to better achieve audit readiness and reporting capabilities between DLA and customers. Predictability and efficiency are also gained through automation tools such as robots that pick items off shelves and computer-controlled systems that automatically place and retrieve loads from storage locations in DLA warehouses. WMS is currently live at 11 distribution sites worldwide.

“Our employees are the cornerstone of our success, embodying dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to mission excellence,” said Chase. “We owe it to them to provide the most effective tools to allow them to drive our agency forward, ensuring the seamless delivery of critical supplies to our warfighters around the globe."

Perry Knight, deputy commander, DLA Distribution, facilitated the discussion with updates from the command’s leadership seated around the table. Much of the discussion focused on the command’s transformation plans, most of which is nested in Distribution’s fiscal year 2030 Campaign Plan.

                Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, Deputy Commander Brent Barnes, left, and DLA Director Lt. Gen. Mark T. Simerly, center, listen as Modernization Project Manager Tim Kosky, right, explains how the newly modernized receiving area and buffer system will enable the immediate receipt and issue of material to warfighters across the globe for high priority items. The system is also scalable allowing operations to expand as needed. Photo by Matthew Mahoney.                            DLA director has first look at mission, transformation efforts during visit to DLA Distribution                            Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, Deputy Commander Brent Barnes, left, and DLA Director Lt. Gen. Mark T. Simerly, center, listen as Modernization Project Manager Tim Kosky, right, explains how the newly modernized receiving area and buffer system will enable the immediate receipt and issue of material to warfighters across the globe for high priority items. The system is also scalable allowing operations to expand as needed. Photo by Matthew Mahoney.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Matthew MahoneyVIRIN: 240229-D-VQ057-7428

“We realize that we need to facilitate a culture of innovation that will provide the competitive advantage we need to recruit and retain the top talent in this competitive environment,” said Knight. “We are working to shape the future through network optimization, public private partnerships, workforce development and risk management while ensuring we are able to deter threats like inflation and cyber vulnerabilities.”

Following the brief, Simerly and Dyer visited the 1.7 million square foot EDC modernization efforts which will increase production and throughput capability.

During the tour, Simerly was shown how infrastructure, automation and training will modernize DLA Distribution operations. Highlighted were the new receiving areas with a buffer system that will allow for high priority material to be received, catalogued and immediately sent out to the warfighter, cutting time off the current procedure.

Other areas included the high rise racking and storage area, a multi-story area where currently people move to goods to get material. Through modernization this area will eventually become a “lights out operation” where automated systems will retrieve and deliver material to workers directly. These efforts are predicted to increase overall throughput by approximately 140%.

Modernization efforts are anticipated to save more than $6 million per year for the next five years through cost avoidance.

Leaders at DLA Distribution are working closely with all stakeholders to ensure that modernization meets the highest levels of cyber security standards to ensure readiness in a contested environment. While infrastructure is built, cyber security is put in place, and training programs are developed, the workforce at the EDC continues to serve the warfighter with no negative impact to logistics support.

“This facility really is a national treasure, “said Simerly. “It’s great to be able to see it first-hand and the modernization efforts that are taking part here. It is evident the amount of pride you take in what you deliver.”

                From left to right, Senior Enlisted Advisor U.S. Air Force Command Chief Master Sgt Alvin R. Dyer, Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Commander U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Grafton D. Chase, DLA Director U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Mark T. Simerly, and U.S. Army Col. Samuel R. Miller are briefed about modernization efforts at the receiving area of the Eastern Distribution Center, the largest warehouse in the Defense Department, Feb. 29. Photo by Matthew Mahoney.                            DLA director has first look at mission, transformation efforts during visit to DLA Distribution                            From left to right, Senior Enlisted Advisor U.S. Air Force Command Chief Master Sgt Alvin R. Dyer, Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Commander U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Grafton D. Chase, DLA Director U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Mark T. Simerly, and U.S. Army Col. Samuel R. Miller are briefed about modernization efforts at the receiving area of the Eastern Distribution Center, the largest warehouse in the Defense Department, Feb. 29. Photo by Matthew Mahoney.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Matthew MahoneyVIRIN: 240229-D-VQ057-7385