DLA Energy Equips Workforce with Essential Petroleum Quality Training

Defense Logistics Agency Energy hosted its J10 Petroleum Quality Assurance - General course Oct. 13-15 at the McNamara Headquarters Complex.

The three-day seminar provided foundational training in bulk petroleum and aerospace energy surveillance for military and civilian personnel who work outside dedicated quality assurance roles. Instruction focused on core technical standards, procurement compliance and the operational processes required to ensure government-owned fuel meets military specifications worldwide.

Bridging Contracts and Chemistry

While DLA Energy deploys specialized field personnel to oversee fuel quality, the course gives the wider acquisition and support workforce insight into the technical rigor behind defense energy operations.

For Annalise Henzler, a contract specialist with DLA Energy Bulk Petroleum Supply Chain Services, the instruction provided practical context ahead of managing laboratory testing contracts.

"We have lab contracts on my team that work closely with the quality team," Henzler said. "I knew that I was taking over some of those contracts soon due to personnel shifts, so I wanted to learn what quality does and how it connects with our work."

Henzler said the course's discussion of laboratory sampling and fuel chemistry increased her appreciation for the quality assurance process, which is supported by 120 quality assurance representatives, or QARs spanning six global regions.

"I didn't realize all the checks and balances that QARs perform," Henzler said. "I didn't know all the standards our fuel had to reach at different points to make sure it was good for the warfighter."

Translating Technical Standards

A central component of the seminar is demystifying technical requirements such as MIL-STD-3004, the military standard governing DOD quality surveillance for fuels, lubricants and related products.

Vicenty noted that the training translates these rigorous specifications into daily operational awareness.

"J10 shows personnel how minimum surveillance, sampling, testing, inspection and acceptance requirements protect fuel quality throughout the supply chain," Vicenty said. "It helps students understand how the standard drives contract requirements, and when to engage technical specialists before fuel moves to regional points."

That systemic understanding resonated with veteran acquisition personnel like Alexandro Kano, a DLA Energy contracting officer with nearly 20 years of federal service.

"When you're in contracting, you are mostly dealing with the scope of your contracts," Kano said. "This training provided an essential overview of quality, international agreements and how pipeline networks and support locations connect around the world."

Mitigating Risk for Combatant Commands

Beyond contract administration, the course highlights operational risks associated with fuel degradation, contamination and off-specification product. Vicenty emphasized that early identification by customer-facing personnel helps prevent equipment failures and mission delays.

"J10 helps personnel recognize the mission risk associated with contamination, commingling and product deterioration," Vicenty said. "This awareness supports early reporting and informed coordination with quality personnel before an issue can affect equipment reliability or operational timelines."

Understanding those failure points reinforced daily accountability for Erica Talley, a customer account specialist with the DLA Energy Directorate of Customer Operations.

"Understanding our role is vital for maintaining the chain of custody and ensuring what we receive from a supplier meets contract expectations," Talley said. "The overarching takeaway is taking your job seriously, even if you are not a quality assurance specialist."

DLA Energy conducts the course semiannually in the spring and fall. Personnel involved in bulk petroleum management, aerospace energy procurement or contract surveillance should coordinate with their training coordinators to register.