DLA Distribution teams with installation partners for new employee orientation

The Defense Logistics Agency’s distribution arm has rolled out a standardized New Employee Orientation at the Defense Distribution Center Susquehanna in New Cumberland, launching the first class June 15 and hosting the agency’s largest session to date on Aug. 10, when 37 new hires were onboarded. The effort—developed by DLA Distribution in collaboration with DLA Distribution Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, and DLA Installation Management at Susquehanna—is part of an agency-wide push led by Army Lt. Gen. Mark Simerly to deliver a consistent onboarding experience for new members of the DLA workforce.

The program is being deployed across six other major subordinate command sites and consolidates new hires from both the Susquehanna and Mechanicsburg locations, regardless of job or command.

DLA Distribution Susquehanna’s Support Services team has operated its own site-specific orientation since the early 2000s, a foundation leaders say helped accelerate the wider rollout. “Over the years, the program has continuously adapted and improved based on changing DLA missions and priorities. However, the overarching theme has remained consistent: delivering a unified message from top leadership to train and take care of our workforce from day one,” said Army Col. Christopher Urynowicz, commander, DLA Distribution. “A successful program requires seamless coordination from all stakeholders, including first-line supervisors, security, command and Human Resources.”

After DLA Distribution headquarters was designated to lead the initiative, Susquehanna’s team shared materials and methods to help standardize the model. “The team immediately shared institutional knowledge, schedules, handouts, facilitation strategies, and offered new presenters the opportunity to observe their processes,” Urynowicz said. “With command support, they scheduled a dedicated space to serve as the logistical center point to host all DLA organizations for orientation. The Support Services Division assisted every step of the way, once again demonstrating the adaptability and teamwork required to successfully incorporate the new DLA New Employee Orientation initiative.”

On-site orientation coordinator Andy Bradford said the New Cumberland launch benefited from building on what already worked. “What I believe is unique and creative for DLA Distribution headquarters was identifying the existing New Employee Program already in place at DLA Distribution Susquehanna and then working with them to develop and incorporate the required New Employee Orientation training that DLA has provided,” Bradford said. “Without the flexibility, patience and professionalism of the training team at DLA Distribution Susquehanna and each briefer participating in the orientation, the program would not be nearly as far along as it is right now. It has truly been a team effort.”

The orientation includes overviews of DLA operations; human resources and workforce programs; intelligence and security; and technology and tools, with dedicated sessions on safety, Equal Employment Opportunity, and the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program. Organizers collect participant feedback after each session to refine the experience and are considering a virtual option to reach employees across the DLA Distribution enterprise.

“I believe this will greatly enhance our ability to achieve the Director’s intent by having a positive influence on each new employee’s experience during their first day with DLA,” Bradford said. “I am incredibly proud to be a part of this program and look forward to helping it continue to impact the newly hired employees of DLA.”

Leaders say the shared model is designed to strengthen cohesion across the enterprise. “This initiative created an exceptional opportunity for us to unify as one team. The joint collaboration between the experienced DLA Distribution Susquehanna Support Services team and the DLA Distribution headquarters team embodies the “One Team, One Fight” mentality, imparting that culture to each new employee from the moment they arrive,” Urynowicz said. “Every step of this process is building a stronger, more unified workforce across the New Cumberland Installation and the broader DLA enterprise.”