From village roots to leading a village: DLA Energy soldier wins U.S. Army Award for Petroleum Excellence

Army Sgt. 1st Class Larry Stanford has been named the 2025 U.S. Army Award for Petroleum Excellence recipient in the Individual Leader category, an honor announced in an All Army Activities message on May 29, 2026. The senior operations noncommissioned officer for Defense Logistics Agency Energy Americas North was recognized for standout leadership in petroleum management and fuel handling in support of Army missions.

Stanford credited the recognition to the Soldiers, NCOs and mentors who have shaped his career and the platoon he leads. “It takes a village, and one Soldier can’t do it all,” said Stanford, who is the senior operations NCO for Defense Logistics Agency Energy Americas North. “Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to serve alongside leaders who exemplified these principles through work ethic, technical expertise and genuine care for their troops. When you demonstrate authentic concern for both the Soldier and the mission, those standards reciprocate across the entire team. Embracing these tenets helped us build a disciplined, talented platoon whose collective efforts ultimately made this recognition possible.”

After taking charge of his platoon in April 2024, Stanford conducted a comprehensive assessment of personnel, equipment, training and mission requirements to pinpoint operational gaps. He identified communication as a recurring point of failure and overhauled how real-time information was shared, establishing dedicated digital channels and a synchronized tracking board to improve responsiveness and accountability.

His approach to matching talent to mission needs helped the platoon score in the top 8% of the Army during an Aviation Resource Management Survey inspection. The unit sustained 24-hour medical evacuation support in Arctic conditions as low as 55 degrees below zero while half the team simultaneously deployed to Indonesia for Exercise Garuda Shield, operating in temperatures above 90 degrees.

Maj. Paul Stephens, commander of DLA Energy Americas North, praised Stanford’s impact across some of the Army’s most demanding fuel operations. “Stanford has been a linchpin in the Army fuels mission in Alaska,” said Stephens. “His leadership ensured an outstanding 82% mission-capable rate for the 22 Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks that he was responsible for in the harsh Arctic climate, enabling robust sustainment capabilities for his Army unit. This accomplishment alone is amazing and highlights his leadership competence and knack for propelling unit readiness.”

Beyond day-to-day operations, Stanford focused on cultivating the next wave of petroleum leaders. He empowered NCOs to take ownership of the platoon’s training across five pillars—accountability, equipment, quality surveillance, safety and hands-on operations—and introduced an Instructor Qualification Course model to standardize instruction and build confident, technically proficient leaders.

Along with the Army petroleum award, Stanford received the Army Quartermaster Corps’ Order of Saint Martin, which honors Quartermaster professionals who demonstrate exceptional integrity, character and competence.

The U.S. Army Award for Petroleum Excellence highlights leaders who demonstrate exemplary performance in petroleum operations. Nominees are evaluated by technical and operational experts at the U.S. Army Petroleum Center for excellence in petroleum management and fuel handling in support of the warfighter.

Looking ahead, Stanford offered straightforward guidance to those following in his path. “Your efforts each day are vital to the Army’s strategic reach. Hold yourself to the highest technical standards, take pride in your mission and take care of your Soldiers,” Stanford said. “Build that culture of excellence, and the results will follow. Last but certainly not least: If it ain’t flowin’, they ain’t going!”