Piotr ‘Cedric’ A. Omar in the PACER spotlight

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — Cedric Omar, a member of the Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services’ Pathways to Career Excellence Group 50, will spend his second year in the program at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, serving as a Property Disposal Specialist with environmental responsibilities.

Omar said he applied to PACE because, “I thought it was a great opportunity for growth and advancement within the organization.” Before joining the program, he built a post-military career in private-sector logistics and returned to federal service through a technical post at Fort Hood. “I had spent nearly a decade after my military service in the logistics field within the private sector. I saw an opening for a Material Examiner & Identifier at Ft. Hood and applied because I felt I met the requirements and missed the camaraderie of the Army.”

The PACE program gives early-career civilians a broad view of DLA Disposition Services’ operations, with year one based at the headquarters in Battle Creek and year two moving to either a field site or remaining in Michigan for contracting tracks. Participants typically advance from GS-7 to GS-11 by graduation while rotating through key functions across the enterprise.

Omar said the exposure to both the field and headquarters has been a highlight. “Getting to see how the field sites affect decision making at HQ and how higher-level directives are received, interpreted to fit our mission, then disseminated. Also, getting to build relationships with people at HQ, especially within my cohort.”

A visit to the Anniston Centralized Demil Division proved especially instructive, he said, underscoring how demilitarization depends on accuracy and careful packing at the point of origin. “Going to Anniston Centralized Demil Division (CDD). Seeing firsthand how property that field sites ship for DEMIL is received and ultimately destroyed reinforced the importance of the Kind, Count, and Condition (KCC) process, also the value of packing an organized tri-wall.”

For new PACE entrants, Omar urged initiative and visibility across branches. “Meet the people in the building where they work. Don’t wait for the overviews to get to know what the various branches do. Be your own advocate.” He distilled the traits for success as, “Be willing to learn, be personable, and be curious.”

He also pointed to housing as a pressure point for participants who relocate to Battle Creek for the first year. “The housing situation could use some focus. It’s not much of a concern for participants who get assigned to Battle Creek, but for those of us only here for the first year, it can be a bit stressful. Especially if we must leave a family behind and pay for both a mortgage and rent. They do the best they can by providing us with resources prior to arriving; however, there may be other avenues which could be explored to alleviate some concerns.”

Omar describes PACE as a launchpad for leadership within DLA Disposition Services. “It is an excellent program which prepares you for growth as a future leader with Disposition Services, maybe even higher. Everything worth doing will always have challenges. Believe in yourself and don’t be afraid to ask for help. The program will give you the tools and resources to accomplish your mission.”

Looking ahead, his aim is to lead at the point of execution. “To be a field site Area Manager. That is where we can most effectively support the warfighter. I want to instill confidence in our ability and willingness to support the Armed Forces and the government as a whole.”

Outside of work, Omar said, “I was born and raised in the Micronesian region of the Pacific and am proud of my heritage. I am a fan of Pacific Northwest sports (Seahawks, Mariners, Seawolves, etc.) and have passed on my fanaticism to my 2 kids.”