How DLA’s hands-on e-recycling turns waste into wealth

The Defense Logistics Agency’s Disposition Services used a Phoenix-area electronics recycling facility as a hands-on training venue for participants in its Pathways to Career Excellence program during a recent temporary duty assignment, while keeping demilitarization work on track amid a shift to a new contract.

According to DLA Disposition Services, first-year PACERs compared notes with peers before the trip and coordinated with Property Disposal Specialists Justin Funk and Leanne Marks, who led the visit. On site, Arizona-based Property Disposal Specialist Benjamin Cachola guided the group as they worked alongside contractor personnel to take apart secure military hardware.

The team’s day-to-day task centers on disassembling turned-in electronics to safely render them unserviceable and compliant with policy. Material Examiner and Identifier Danny Gonzales said “the e-recycling program turning waste into wealth from our military services and maximizing taxpayer dollars is just one way DLA shows its dedication to the warfighters through its people and partnership.”

Safety and compliance set the pace on the floor. As Property Disposal Specialist Eric Allen put it, “Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.” Even with the technical demands, the group works to keep morale high. Property Disposal Specialist Piotr “Cedric” Omar noted, “Regardless of the situation, there’s always room for levity.”

DLA described the Phoenix operation as a practical lab for PACERs: experienced first-year participants helped sustain throughput, newer colleagues built core skills, and second-year members on office rotations refreshed their field proficiency. Property Disposal Specialist Paul Turner, a second-year PACER currently rotating through office roles, was cited as an example of how the field time keeps skills current and maintains ties to frontline processes.

The Pathways to Career Excellence program at DLA Disposition Services runs two years and exposes participants to the organization’s directorates and field work. Year one is based at headquarters in Battle Creek, Michigan; year two continues in Battle Creek for contracting-track members or at a field site for those in property disposal. Participants start at the GS-7 grade, move to GS-9 after the first year, and complete the program at GS-11. Entry routes include internal hires, recent college graduates and veterans transitioning from active duty.

DLA has provided logistics support across the equipment lifecycle for more than six decades, from distribution to end-of-life disposition, a mission the agency says directly supports warfighters by ensuring safe, compliant handling of surplus and sensitive gear.