Brandon Anderson steps into the PaCER spotlight

Brandon Anderson has completed the Defense Logistics Agency Weapons Support (Columbus) Pathways to Career Excellence program, graduating in February 2026 as a pre-award contract specialist after entering the two-year track in February 2024.

Anderson said a push from home helped launch his application. “To be honest, I started applying because my mom gave me some really solid advice to just get my foot in the door at [Defense Supply Center Columbus] and apply for everything I qualified for,” he said, later adding, “I applied to the PaCE program because it felt like the first real opportunity that matched that ambition and gave me a chance to do work that actually matters.”

Through the program, he found his professional niche in contracting. “The highlight of the PaCE program for me was the opportunity to master the technical skills required to serve as a contracting officer,” Anderson said. “Earning my certification and becoming a contracting officer was a pivotal achievement that allows me to apply my expertise to DLA’s mission every day.”

Now on the job, Anderson focuses on moving complex acquisitions to the finish line in support of military readiness. “I help the warfighter by being the one to tackle the ‘problem purchase requests.’ … At the end of the day, it’s about making sure the equipment gets to the warfighters, even if the paperwork to get it there is difficult.”

Asked what it takes to succeed in PaCE, he pointed to grit and consistency. “Persistence – everyone will learn at different speeds and some parts of our job are harder than others,” he said.

For prospective applicants, Anderson described the program’s impact in straightforward terms: “Rewarding and life changing. Many start with no experience in acquisition but become highly capable contracting officers in two years’ time.”

His advice to current participants is similarly practical. “Ask a lot of questions and each time you receive feedback add it to your notes. Create templates that are well rounded and easy to adjust. Stay balanced with your workload tasks.”

The DLA Weapons Support (Columbus) PaCE program is a two-year training and development pipeline based in Columbus, Ohio, that offers formal instruction, on-the-job training, cross-training and rotational assignments. Participants typically begin at the GS-7 level and can advance to GS-11 or GS-12 upon completion. Entry paths include internal hires, recent graduates and veterans. More information: www.dla.mil/Careers/PaCE/