Eric Allen in the PACE spotlight

Eric S. Allen, a member of Pathways to Career Excellence Group 50 at Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services, says the two-year development program has given him a clear route to advancement and leadership. “This was the best opportunity to allow me to move up with DLA, gain more skills to become a better leader, and give me a chance to provide a better life for my family,” he said.

Allen traced a winding path to his current role. He immigrated to the United States from the Republic of Panama and joined the Air Force, serving six years with a deployment to Afghanistan and focusing on base security as a security forces member. After separating, he worked as a corrections officer, then spent four years as an armed guard at Letterkenny Army Depot. He joined DLA as a material examiner and identifier for two years before entering PACE. “Goodness, it all started with me moving to the U.S from the Republic of Panama and joining the Air Force, serving six years with one deployment to Afghanistan. While in the Air Force, I was a security forces member and my squadron focused on base security instead of law enforcement. After separating from the Air Force, I spent some time as a corrections officer, which is not a job that I would recommend. Then I became an armed guard at Letterkenny Army Depot and did that for four years before joining DLA as a material examiner and identifier. I did that for two years before joining the PACE program,” he said.

Inside PACE, Allen said he values exposure to decision-making and the push to communicate across the organization. “First, getting to see the behind-the-scenes process of how and why decisions are made. Second, helping me get out of my comfort zone by having to do presentations and interact with everyone in all the different branches and departments. That second one was hard, mainly because I can be more of an introvert.”

Support from leaders and peers has been a highlight. “How leadership was so understanding and willing to help in my moments of need, and the friendships that I have developed through the year.”

Asked what he would tell newcomers, Allen emphasized three themes. “Resilience, communication and determination. Resilience – everyone has something going on in their lives, be it at home, work or within. Don’t let the hardships bring you down, stand up and face them head on and remember that you are not alone. Communication – keep leadership in the loop with issues and achievements. This extends to people outside of work as well; having someone to vent or share with can be a tremendous help. Determination – everyone joined the program for different reasons, but I’m sure there is one underlining factor: you were determined to do better than where you were. Don’t lose that determination. Whatever success is for you, it’s out there; you just have to reach out and grab it.”

He also offered a pragmatic suggestion for future program improvements: “The main thing would be better living situations.”

On day-to-day success, Allen keeps his guidance simple. “Keep your nose clean, have fun, learn as much as you can, and take advantage of all the different opportunities you will encounter through the year.”

For those considering applying, he described PACE as a hands-on window into enterprise operations and leadership styles. “The perfect opportunity to learn how DLA Disposition Services works at a higher level. It’s a great networking opportunity and it is a terrific way to progress through the organization. Also, it gives you an opportunity to see lots of different leadership styles in one place and help you develop your own.”

Allen will spend his second year of PACE in Susquehanna. “I will be assigned to Susquehanna, and the thing I’m looking forward to the most is just being back out in the field, learning as much as I can, and becoming the best property disposal specialist that I can be.” Looking further ahead, he added: “Work hard, learn as much as I can, and become a good leader.”

Away from work, he prioritizes time outdoors and with family. “Outside of work I like spending time with my family, fishing, hunting, flying drones, sharpening my gunsmithing skills, and SCUBA diving when visiting the Republic of Panama.”

According to DLA Disposition Services, the Pathways to Career Excellence program educates participants on the full scope of the organization’s business processes and directorates across two years. Year one is based at the major subordinate command headquarters in Michigan; year two is at Battle Creek for Contracting trainees or at field sites for property disposal personnel. Participants start as General Schedule 7 employees, advance to GS-9 after the first year, and graduate as GS-11s, with entry points that include internal DLA selection, recent graduates and candidates transitioning directly from active military service.