# DLA Distribution Korea recognizes women's history month

/ Published March 15, 2023
NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa., 
The women of Defense Logistics Agency Distribution, Korea, play an instrumental part in the overall success of our site. With over 10 years of experience in support of the warfighter we honor their stories and support to the fight.

It is such an honor to introduce some of the female pioneers of DLA Distribution Korea. These are the women in our workforce that took ownership of their tasks and produced cost benefit outcomes at the end. They love what they do and are appreciative of the opportunities to contribute to the organization and the warfighter. They put tireless effort in with a mindset of excellence.

The women of DDDK continue to pave the way in all walks of life and expanding possibilities for all young ladies interested in working for the Defense Department and its Agencies & Services. Here is a collection of stories from five amazing ladies of DDDK.

Ham Su Chong was the first person who streamlined the purchase process for DDDK back in 2010. Prior to her becoming the GPC and BOSS purchase program Supervisor, leaders were waiting for months for mission supplies. She was able to take a chaotic process and streamline it to ensure that mission supplies were available to support DDDK mission to the warfighter. She and the team created a digital request form which enhanced the team’s ability to track supply status immediately, perform analysis on demand, and created a bench stock level at the site. Ms. Ham developed a solid and sound program which is still in use today. Her dedication and taking ownership of in her position has made a huge impact at DDDK, which allowed her to be promoted to the site budget analyst in 2019.

Ms. Yi, Min Chong started her career with DDDK in 2005 and is one of the initial DDDK employees. She started her career as a Statical Assistant before becoming the first Record Management Technician in 2014 to start self-scan of evidential matters among the 24 DLA Distribution Centers. Her commitment to the site has allowed DDDK to establish a robust audit readiness evidential matter retention program in support of audit requirements. She played a critical role in developing and implementing a cost-effective process for self-scanning which enhanced DDDK ability to streamline the process for Document Services to upload files for the share drive to DACSRM. DDDK customer service has improved significantly due to Ms. Yi’s efforts with the site self-scanning program. This simple, efficient, and effective method for retaining electronic records provides near-perfect identification, location, and retrieval of millions of individual files.

Ms. O, Hyon Yong joined DDDK in 2008 as a Quality Assurance Specialist. Soon after Ms. O transitioned to Continuous Process Improvement (CPI) and became the first certified Lean Six Sigma (LSS) Black Belt for DDDK. Since then, she has spearheaded and accomplished more than 70 CPI initiatives with stellar results. Ms. O and her teams built a local database system called Time and Attendance Management System (TIMS) long before EAGLE launched its feature to submit and approve leave requests. Long before LMS, her team identified shortfall in training management and developed the local training management database. She and DLA DK team also streamlined the MRO fulfilling procedure for Dedicated trucks and High Priority shipment to establish a robust system to meet performance goals. In February 2014, Ms. O accepted the challenge of serving as the Lead Audit Readiness Coordinator for DDDK in addition to her regular duties and played a critical role in making sure DDDK meet Audit Readiness assertion standards. She translated Audit Readiness briefings, guidance, and technical Job Breakdown Sheets (JBSs) and conducted special training sessions for all local national employees, and this quickly brought the team up to speed on the principles and procedures entailed in Audit Readiness.

SSG Alma, Siris has been serving her country in the United State Army for 15 years. She has been assigned to DDDK and is the site NCOIC. While serving at DDDK SSG Alma graduated from the Army’s Senior Leaders Course and received an Order Merit List number for promotion to Sergeant First Class (SFC). She has integrated into the DDDK team and has created an NCO continuity binder to allow future soldiers to have a clear understanding of expectations when arriving and working at DDDK. She volunteers in the local community with BOSS and mentors junior NCO Soldiers. SSG Alma is also a champion of SHARP and ensures DDDK remains involved and committed in events held on Camp Carroll. She has a welcoming personality and represents NCOs across our military well.

Ms. Travy Owens is a retired Air Force Master Sergeant E-7, and she served her country for 23-years before retiring in 2009. After retirement, she worked as a government contractor before entering civilian service in 2017. Ms. Owens started her civilian career at Patrick Space Force Base providing logistical support for Air Force Technical Applications Center in Florida, before coming to DDDK in 2022 and is currently the site Accountable Officer. She has an extensive knowledge in inventory and is the focal point for DDDK inventory program and ensuring our 100% inventory runs smoothly. While working with the operation team to reduce adjustment and create sustainable ways to identify root cause and solutions at DDDK. She is an important part to our success in supporting the warfighter.

All these ladies have contributed to the workforce and have been instrumental in the success of DDDK. They overcame and remained steady in their career, they explored new paths, they became great leaders, and they shared their life experience with their other. Gasahamida (means gratitude) to all women in the workforces!