Regardless of whether you’re just starting your federal career or have served for 

more than 20 years, it’s never too early to plan for retirement. 

During a DLA Energy virtual Lunch & Learn on August 10, Human Resources 

Benefits Specialist Mr. Aaron “Kav” Kavanagh provided an overview on federal 

retirement options. 

He discussed the importance of 

checking your Official Personnel 

Folder (OPF) to ensure it is accurate 

and requesting retirement 

estimates. While employees 

can request one estimate every 

12-month period from the HR 

team, Kav said your forecasted 

retirement date must be no more 

than two years into the future. 

Another tool used for retirement 

pay calculation is the GRB Platform

(CAC required) that is easily 

accessible anytime.

Kav stressed the importance of 

verifying beneficiary forms, service 

records, civilian and military 

deposits, and the Certificate of 

Release or Discharge from Active 

Duty, referred to as a DD 214, if 

applicable.

Once you are eligible and 

retirement ready, Kav said to 

submit a completed Standard 

Form 52 to your benefit’s specialist 

at least 30 days prior to the 

requested date and plan for the 

process to take at least 60 days. 

If you are within five years of 

retirement eligibility, enroll in 

the DLA Learning Management 

System (LMS) Pre-Retirement 

Training. This training reviews the retirement benefit programs, deposits and 

re-deposits, Thrift Savings Plan, health benefits, insurance options, survivor 

benefits, social security benefits, legal issues and taxes. Learn more in this DLA 

Today Announcement. 

Do your research, know your eligibility and get your estimates. It’s never too 

early to start retirement planning.

Retirement Planning

If you began your federal career after Jan. 1, 1987, you’re 

part of the Federal Employees Retirement System.

Generally, if you began your federal career before Dec. 31, 

1983, you’re part of the Civil Service Retirement System.

ENERGY CONNECTION

Core Values: Leadership, Professionalism & Technical Knowledge through Dedication to Duty, Integrity, Ethics, Honor, Courage & Loyalty

Energy team, 

 It’s hard to believe it’s already the end of 

August. I hope you have taken some time for 

vacations, family connections and R&R. 

 Much like Memorial Day weekend marks the 

beginning of summer, Labor Day weekend 

often marks its unofficial end. But Labor 

Day is much more than an end of summer 

celebration.

 Labor Day pays tribute to the merit, 

significance and achievement of American 

workers. Today, the national holiday is widely 

accepted and celebrated with parades, picnics 

and pool parties. 

 Originally, it was a day of rallies and strikes 

to protest poor working conditions, long 

hours and low wages that existed at the end 

of the 19th century during the height of the 

Industrial Revolution. American workers, 

including many children, worked 12-hour days 

seven days a week. As labor unions began to 

grow in prominence to help protect workers, 

many of their efforts turned violent like the 

Haymarket Riot of 1886, in which several 

Chicago policemen and workers were killed.

 Because of these efforts to raise awareness 

and fairness for the American worker, Labor 

Day began to be accepted and celebrated 

as a day off. Over the course of the next 

decade, the day grew in recognition and was 

ultimately signed into law on June 28, 1894. 

 The success of any organization is its team, 

and the success of every team is its individual 

teammates. Each of you is a valued contributor 

for the unique qualities and skills you bring 

to the Energy team. Your hard work and 

dedication keep DLA Energy supporting the 

warfighter around the globe. 

 In honor of Labor Day, I want to say thank you 

and enjoy the weekend with family, friends 

and loved ones.

 Happy Labor Day!

A MESSAGE FROM 

THE CHIEF OF 

STAFF

Col Keith Mecham

HQC/NCR COVID-19 Status: HPCON B

Continue max telework until your designated re-entry date. Face masks not required in 

the HQC Complex but are required for HQC Child Development Center.

Volume 2, Issue 16 August 29, 2022
Congratulations to the DLA Energy 3rd quarter, FY22 military, 

civilian and strategic goals employees of the quarter. 

Company Grade Category: 

Capt Akeem Parks*, USAF, Energy Middle East

Category B Civilian (GS/WG/WL 7-12): 

Walter Hegan, DLA Energy Europe & Africa

Category C Civilian (GS13-15/WS): 

Carly Dubernas, DLA Energy Utility Services

DLA Director’s Strategic Goals Award Category: 

Individual Award: Connie Braesch, DLA Energy Public Affairs

Team Award: DLA Energy Supplier Operations Branch from 

DLA Energy Europe & Africa

Sep. 12: Supervisory Committee Meeting,* 2:30pm

Sep. 13: Advisory and Integration Council Meeting,* 9am

Sep. 13: Culture Climate Committee Meeting,* 10am 

Sep. 20: Training Committee Meeting,* 11am

Sep. 21: Coffee with the Commander, 7:30am and 5pm

*The committee and council meetings are for current members only. If you are 

interested in getting involved, contact DLAEnergyCAG@dla.mil.

Mark your calendars!

On Aug. 9, DLA Director of Acquisition Mr. Beebe visited DLA 

Energy to discuss important acquisition topics including key 

acquisition metrics, status of agency management review 

activities, and the Contract Quality Review Pilot. He also held 

a focus group with DLA Energy’s Contracting Officers Mentor 

Group Leaders along with newly warranted Contracting 

Officers for open discussions on a variety of topics. During 

his visit, Mr. Beebe presented several DLA Energy employees 

with the DLA Director’s Coin or plaque for their outstanding 

work in DLA Energy or with DLA J7. 

*Congratulations to Capt Parks 

who also won at the enterprise level! 

EOQs 

Volunteer to be the Agency Synchronization and 

Operations Center Energy LNO! 

The highly visible and fast-paced position fuses information 

from across the agency and provides centralized awareness of 

Energy’s business and operations functions. 

The six-month rotation starts Monday, Sept. 5. The position 

is open to GS-12 or 13 employees (GS-12 are eligible for 

temporary promotion to GS-13). Applicants must possess 

a Secret Clearance that is active or adjudicated and can be 

activated. Supervisor and business unit director pre-approval 

is mandatory for consideration. 

If you’re interested, email the CCC at dla.energy.ccc@dla.mil.

ASOC LNO

Congratulations to 

Army MAJ Jerry Bortner 

on his promotion, which 

was held at historic 

Gunston Hall in Mason 

Neck, Virginia, Aug. 9.

Randy Kelley

Mark (Miz) Mizrahi Ross Paxton accepted the coin 

on behalf of Patti Rivera

Candis Schiefer Curtis (Curt) Stough

Paul Churchill

Around Energy

Meet the Quality Operations Division! This team develops, 

monitors, and implements quality policies and programs for DLA 

Energy-supplied commodities and provides quality assurance and 

quality surveillance support.

Pictured left to right are Barbara Mooney, Richard Knapp (Division Chief), Mike 

Wilson, Patricia Wilkins (QT Director), Dustin Wilkerson and Sarah MacLean.

Employee Recognition

Virtual Suggestion Box

Have a question or concern weighing on your mind?

Use the DLA Energy virtual suggestion box!

(the link is also a “Featured Link” on Energy’s eWorkplace homepage)