New Employee Orientation Program brings together DLA Distribution, installation partners

Defense Logistics Agency Distribution in collaboration with DLA Distribution Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, and DLA Installation Management at Susquehanna, has launched a new, standardized New Employee Orientation program, welcoming its first class of new hires June 15, at Defense Distribution Center, Susquehanna, in New Cumberland.

By partnering with DLA Distribution headquarters, DLA Distribution Susquehanna recently hosted the largest orientation across the agency to date by onboarding 37 personnel Aug. 10.

The program is part of a larger, agency-wide initiative spearheaded by Army Lt. Gen. Mark Simerly, director, DLA, to provide a consistent and comprehensive onboarding experience for all new members of the DLA workforce.

The program, which is being implemented across six other major subordinate command sites, brings together all of the new DLA employees for both the Susquehanna and Mechanicsburg locations, regardless of their specific role or command.

The concept of a standardized orientation for new employees was not a foreign concept for the DLA Distribution Susquehanna team. Recognizing the critical need for an operational workforce New Employee Orientation, the Support Services team developed a DLA Distribution Susquehanna specific program in the early 2000s.

"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 named lead for the new agency-wide initiative, the DLA Distribution Susquehanna team stepped up to partner on the program.

"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."

Andy Bradford, the on-site orientation coordinator, said the New Cumberland site's success is a result of collaboration and leveraging existing resources.

"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 covers a variety of topics, including an overview of DLA, Human Resources and workforce programs, intelligence and security, and technology and tools. The day also includes important sessions on safety, the Equal Employment Opportunity program and the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program.

Participant feedback is collected after the event and used to improve the orientation experience, which may include a virtual option for 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."

The agency wide initiative creates an opportunity for standardization and collaboration 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 "Every step of this process is building a stronger, more unified workforce across the New Cumberland Installation and the broader DLA enterprise."