DLA focuses on reclaiming critical, strategic materials for national security

The Defense Logistics Agency is increasing its efforts to recover critical and strategic materials from military assets, transforming potential waste into valuable resources that bolster national security and warfighter readiness, say two DLA employees on a recent episode of the "DLA Dialogues: Factory to Foxhole" podcast.

Nancy Albertson, a physical scientist with DLA Strategic Materials, and Don Helle, the Research & Development program manager for DLA Disposition Services, discuss the growing importance of material reclamation and highlight how such initiatives help secure vital supply chains against global vulnerabilities.

Albertson says geopolitical factors can disrupt access to key materials, making domestic recovery efforts crucial. Helle adds that the agency now recognizes the potential for military excess as a source of raw materials.

This new focus has led to the reclamation programs for materials such as boron carbide, a material used in body armor, and germanium, a critical element for thermal imaging technology, they say.

Albertson says the benefits of these programs are twofold: the department keeps useful materials within the department while also preventing them from being unintentionally given to adversaries through the disposal process.

Both employees acknowledge that expanding reclamation efforts present challenges, including the need to modernize logistics systems and ensure adequate storage for recovered materials. Despite these hurdles, DLA remains committed to advancing its material recovery programs, reinforcing the nation's defense industrial base and ensuring warfighter readiness.

Episodes of "DLA Dialogues: From Factory to Foxhole" are available on the employee Campaign of Learning portal (a DLA common access card is required), the Campaign of Learning website, DVIDS and YouTube.