DLA - Defense Logistics Agency
08/15/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/15/2024 03:24
Army’s R2E success continues with DLA Disposition Services at JBLM
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash -
The Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services site at Joint Base Lewis-McChord recently supported the U.S. Army's "Rapid Removal of Excess" effort, a significant initiative aimed at streamlining the disposal of surplus military property.
Army Specialist Dyontae Clark stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McCord inspects a field water tank that a unit is turning in as excess through R2E. Clark said some of the things he checked for were unit markings, cracks in the tank, and that there was no buildup of pressure. Once the Army determined that the tank was in excess Clark's inspection, prepared it for transfer to DLA Disposition Services for possible reutilization to other organizations.
water tank
Army Col. Jeremiah O'Connor, commander of the 404th Army Field Support Brigade at JBLM, highlighted the program's dual purpose.
Army Specialist Dyontae Clark stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McCord inspects a field water tank that a unit is turning in as excess through R2E. Clark said some of the things he checked for were unit markings, cracks in the tank, and that there was no buildup of pressure. Once the Army determined that the tank was in excess Clark's inspection, prepared it for transfer to DLA Disposition Services for possible reutilization to other organizations.
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"The intention behind R2E is not just to get rid of old equipment, but to rebalance equipment across the Army," he said.
The R2E program addresses a crucial logistical challenge: units with excess or obsolete equipment can quickly turn it in, enabling redistribution to units in need. O'Connor noted that approximately 80% of the turned-in material is directed to DLA Disposition Services.
Army Lt. Col. Brianna Maier, who leads a field support battalion at JBLM, also oversees the service's local Modernization Displacement and Repair Site, a key component in this process. The MDRS functions as a hub for receiving, accounting for, and repairing excess equipment.
Navy Petty Officers Britney Pitts from DSU 6 and William Tibbs from DSU 2 work together during their two weeks of active duty training for DLA Disposition Services at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. The sailors ensured the documentation for property the Army turned in under R2E was correct before the items left the MDRS warehouse.
Silors
Maier said 2E's impact on Army units is "essentially right-sizing what they have on their property books, to be able to focus their training, their readiness, and their people on the right equipment for mission support."
Navy Petty Officers Britney Pitts from DSU 6 and William Tibbs from DSU 2 work together during their two weeks of active duty training for DLA Disposition Services at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. The sailors ensured the documentation for property the Army turned in under R2E was correct before the items left the MDRS warehouse.
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"As we were preparing for R2E, the DLA team here was phenomenal," Maier said. "We explored ways to build efficiencies in this process because at the end of the day, it's to rapidly remove the excess from the units, not to be bogged down with all the behind-the-scenes processing of the equipment."
Assisting Maier's team in preparing for and executing R2E was the DLA Disposition Services team at JBLM, led by Area Manager Lew Castro.
Anthony Fanning, wage supervisor for DLA Disposition Services at JBLM operates a 4K forklift while unloading incoming excess property. Fanning said that R2E has increased the tempo of work with the site seeing an additional six to eight trucks each day.
forklift
Castro said when his team received the initial notification for R2E, he tasked Steven Biacco and Robert Montgomery, disposal service representatives, with engaging units and reminding them of turn-in requirements and providing training. He said Biacco worked with units on the base while Montgomery concentrated on MDRS.
Anthony Fanning, wage supervisor for DLA Disposition Services at JBLM operates a 4K forklift while unloading incoming excess property. Fanning said that R2E has increased the tempo of work with the site seeing an additional six to eight trucks each day.
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"It's worked out," Castro said. "We were trying to get the guidance out there from both ends, MDRS and the units. So far, so good, not a lot of issues that couldn't be worked out within a few minutes ... that is definitely a plus."
Another step Castro and his team took was to embed a team at the MDRS site consisting of five military reservists and Montgomery.
Leslie Cagle working her last days as a material identifier and examiner. Once the DLA Disposition Services team at JBLM wraps up R2E she will be promoted to control property verifier. Cagle said with R2E everyone has been hustling getting things done, moving things in, getting things out. "Everyone has their hustle pants on."
Cagle
"Their job was to provide turn-in guidance to MDRS. Since they're taking the property from the units 'as-is,' we wanted to make sure that they're tracking on the turn-in guidance to us," Castro said. He added that they reviewed the 1348 Disposal Turn-in Document that MDRS created and then verified the property to ensure the kind, count, and condition match the paperwork.
Leslie Cagle working her last days as a material identifier and examiner. Once the DLA Disposition Services team at JBLM wraps up R2E she will be promoted to control property verifier. Cagle said with R2E everyone has been hustling getting things done, moving things in, getting things out. "Everyone has their hustle pants on."
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With all that done by his team with MDRS, it streamlined the process at the DLA site, and it minimized the impact of the R2E property, Castro said.
"We have a good relationship with the MDRS team, and they really want to do it right."
Castro commended both the MDRS team and his own DLA Disposition Services employees, saying they have achieved something to be proud of.