BATTLE CREEK, Mich. –
The Defense Logistics Agency’s Pathways to Career Excellence Program is making use of a unique tool to further prepare its participants with skills they can carry with them through their careers.
The seven members of PaCE group 46 are getting the opportunity to learn about more than just Disposition Services, its mission and its customers. By using a book club, the team is learning about various leadership perspectives and tactics from a select reading.
“For me, it’s been great to expand my reading repertoire into leadership books,” said Sara Gorham, a contract specialist and PaCE participant. “It has surprised me how easy to read some of them have been. It’s nice to see other leaders’ perspectives and what shaped their beliefs.”
So far, the group has completed three books and have another three to go. Each of the leadership book club sessions ends with a discussion between the PaCE group and a member of the agency’s leadership team.
The program has taken Gorham and her group members through a variety of other team building exercises as well, including visiting field sites and shadowing members of the leadership team.
“The PaCE Program has exceeded my expectations,” said Gorham. “The amount of training I am getting in the property disposal area will make me a much more well-rounded contract specialist. I will have a perspective of what goes on in operations and what goes on in the field and I can better understand those that I’m supporting and the challenges they go through.”
Originally a member of DLA’s call center, Gorham joined the program with the aspirations of having the opportunity to climb up the ranks and affect change. She spoke on how effective the program has explained where each person fits as a piece of the DLA puzzle and further understanding the different roles people play in the support of the nation.
“It’s a unique program that prepares you for high level leadership and performance,” said Gorham. “They invest so much into us. If you’re looking for a career trajectory where the sky is the limit this is the place to be. It’s exciting to support the warfighter for me and knowing that everything I do impacts the mission.”
Come November, Gorman moves into the Contracting division as she completes the final year of her PaCE Program training.