Photo By Photos DOD | DLA Joint Reserve Force leaders pose for a photo during the annual Joint Reserve Force...... read more read more
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FORT BELVOIR, Va. - About 60 reservists and civilians from across the Defense Logistics Agency joined reserve leaders at DLA Headquarters Aug. 4-5 for the agency’s annual Joint Reserve Force Leadership Board.
Navy Reserve Rear Adm. Patricia Wolfe, director of the DLA Joint Reserve Force, opened the board by challenging JRF leaders to consider their role in DLA’s future, especially in light of the changing operational environment.
“What I need from you over the next two days is I need you to be open to new ideas,” Wolfe said. “We can’t do business the way we’ve been doing business the last 20 years. It’s not going to be possible. I need you to brainstorm for the future. What can we do as the DLA JRF for the future? At the end of the day, think about the DLA director’s ‘Five Big Ideas.’ How are we going to change how we do business to match how DLA is going to do business in the future?”
The JRFLB, in its seventh year, took a foundational shift from years past where much of the focus was on tactical issues such as training records and rotating mobilizations within Iraq and Afghanistan specifically.
“Mobilization has been a big thing for DLA for the last few years, making sure we have the force that is ready to mobilize and support the DLA mission,” said Robert McCullough, DLA JRF deputy director. “In the past, we focused on contributory support. … How do we add more value to the primary-level field activities? This year we’re focusing more on DLA at the strategic level. Where is the Department of Defense going? What are the requirements? How is DLA responding? What is DLA going to look like in the future, and how is that going to affect the DLA Joint Reserve Force?”
As part of the strategic emphasis, attendees received information on the Department of Defense’s direction as defined in the national defense strategy, DLA’s Five Big Ideas, a current ops brief from DLA Logistics Operations, and audit readiness. Though the curriculum took a broader focus, training and readiness were not neglected as the leaders looked toward the future.
“Things like the relief operations in Haiti are going to happen; … things like Operation Tomodachi are going to happen,” Wolfe said. “You need keep your readiness up. You need to keep your training up so you can step out the door to be on the ground two to three days later. From the reserve side of the house, that can be hard, but it can be done.”
In order to meet the readiness challenge the schedule included briefings and discussions on the 2013 JRF training guidance, metrics and management systems designed to track training and ensure JRF members are prepared to deploy at a moment’s notice. In addition to DLA’s strategic initiatives and JRF training requirements, the event also included leadership training that focused on building trust and influence as leaders in DLA.
“It’s crucial for us to gather JRF leadership and guarantee we are not only in line with DLA’s initiatives and needs, but to share lessons learned and experiences so we can better meet the current and future needs of DLA,” said Navy Lt. Cmdr. David Davis, JRF training director and the conference’s planner.
The JRFLB is also a chance for leaders from DLA Headquarters to remind joint team leaders, executive officers and training officers of the opportunity they have as members of DLA.
“DLA is a great place to work; it’s a great organization,” McCullough said as he addressed the leaders. ”Being a reservist in this joint environment is a real career enhancement for you, and to be able to support the warfighter on the tip of the spear is a great opportunity. DLA is just a great place to be.”
| Date Taken: | 08.07.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 08.13.2012 13:40 |
| Story ID: | 93124 |
| Location: | FORT BELVOIR, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 40 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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