Defense logistics agency issue - KMI Media Group

Q&A
Maintaining a Globally Responsive Supply Chain
Supply Optimizer
Redding Hobby
Acting Director
Defense Logistics Agency
Logistics Operations Directorate
Redding Hobby, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is
the acting director of Defense Logistics Agency Logistics Operations.
DLA Logistics Operations (J3) is responsible for the end-toend
supply chain management of the Defense Logistics Agency’s
eight supply chains, providing logistics and material process
management policy, guidance, oversight and monitoring of supply
chain performance. J3 is the principal strategic, operational
and tactical planner for DLA business operations, championing
best business practices, Enterprise Business Systems and
value-added logistics solutions for the warfighter. J3 oversees the
daily operation of the DLA Logistics field activities and engages
customers around the world to maximize readiness and logistics
combat power by leveraging an enterprise solution.
Hobby has served in a wide range of military and civilian
positions during his tenure with the federal government. Most
recently, he was the executive director of the Strategic Programs
and Initiatives Directorate, where he oversaw responsibility for
managing strategic plans, programs, concepts and initiatives for
the current to near future in order to inform and influence decisions
on policy, strategy and the development of capabilities to
enhance anticipated logistics support to warfighters. Part of this
mission included overseeing implementation of the Base Realignment
and Closure 2005 Supply and Storage recommendations
that focus on Defense Department logistics supply chain integration.
While on active duty as an Army officer, he commanded at
platoon, company, battalion and brigade levels. He saw extensive
service in tactical-level organizations in Europe, Korea and the
United States. He became a logistician in 1984. Hobby’s military
service culminated in 2002, when he retired as a colonel of
ordnance and transitioned to civil service. He served as an environmental
physical scientist, logistics specialist and Army Senior
Executive Service member. He was appointed to the Air Force
Senior Executive Service in 2008.
Hobby graduated from the U.S. Military Academy, West Point,
N.Y., in 1973, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering.
He is a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff
College, Fort Leavenworth, Kan., and the Army War College,
Carlisle, Pa.
His personal awards include the Bronze Star, the Legion of
Merit with three oak leaf clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal
with oak leaf cluster, the Joint Meritorious Civilian Service Award,
two Meritorious Civilian Service Awards and the Achievement
Medal for Civilian Service. He is a senior parachutist and an Army
Ranger.
Redding Hobby was interviewed by KMI Media Group Editorin-Chief
Jeff McKaughan
Q: What are the budget implications for DLA and how is that
driving agency efficiencies from where you sit?
A: The Defense Logistics Agency is a defense working capital fund
organization. That means we provide sustainment support to the
military services on a reimbursable basis. If a unit needs a repair
part, for example, DLA’s Land and Maritime organization or our
DLA Aviation organization or perhaps DLA’s Troop Support organization
procures that part and we provide it to the service. Their
Title 10 responsibility then, in a manner of speaking, reimburses
us for that.
In austere budget times, DLA sells less, so we adjust our business
models to accommodate the needs of the services. We will
focus on the demand signals we get from the military services and
adjust our acquisition strategies appropriately. We never want to
over or under buy, so we focus on hitting it just right and buying
what the services need in a timely manner. In that way, we synchronize
with our primary supported units and customers—the
military services.
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