Richmond helps shape how DLA welcomes new employees

Every employee remembers their first day: The unfamiliar faces, the paperwork and the anticipation that comes with joining a new organization.

Before the Defense Logistics Agency launches its new ENGAGE onboarding program across the enterprise, employees at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia, helped shape that experience for future hires. As one of the agency's pilot locations, Weapons Support (Richmond) tested the program, provided feedback and helped refine a standardized approach designed to connect new employees with supervisors, resources and the agency's mission from day one.

Four new employees participated in a pilot June 1 of DLA ENGAGE, or Enterprise Newcomers Getting a Global Entrance, at DSCR ahead of the agencywide rollout June 15. More than 100 project managers from across DLA observed the event virtually as Richmond employees guided participants through the onboarding process.

"Richmond was selected as a pilot location because it has one of DLA's highest volumes of new employee onboarding, which made it an ideal environment to test the program in a meaningful and scalable way," said Trinace Johnson, a program manager for DLA Weapons Support (Richmond). "Richmond also had strong leadership support and the infrastructure needed to implement the pilot effectively, along with a diverse mix of occupational series that allowed us to see how well ENGAGE adapts to different roles."

For Bryce Phillips, a student trainee in general engineering with DLA Weapons Support (Richmond), the experience made an immediate impression.

"What stood out to me the most was how friendly and welcoming everyone was to DLA and DSCR specifically," Phillips said.

Phillips said meeting his supervisor early helped ease his transition into the organization.

"Meeting with Mrs. Stinchcomb early helped ease me into the first day and portrayed DLA as an organization that cares about their employees and their comfort," Phillips said. "It gave me a kind, welcoming person to talk to and ask questions when I got confused by the onboarding process, and she was very willing to help me."

ENGAGE grew from DLA's effort to provide employees with a consistent onboarding experience regardless of where they enter the agency.

"ENGAGE differs from previous onboarding practices by shifting from a fragmented process from MSC to MSC, to one cohesive message from all of DLA," Johnson said.

The updated orientation includes presentations from senior DLA leaders, administration of the Oath of Office and briefings designed to familiarize employees with the agency's mission, strategy and organizational structure.

The program also places greater emphasis on supervisor involvement during an employee's first day.

"Supervisor involvement was made central because supervisors play the most significant role in shaping early engagement, performance and retention," Johnson said. "New employees consistently express that early connection with their supervisor is one of the most important factors in feeling supported."

For Cynthia Stinchcomb, a supervisory customer account specialist for DLA Weapons Support (Richmond), ENGAGE strengthens a supervisor's ability to guide employees through the onboarding process.

"ENGAGE does not change my role; rather, it enhances how I perform my tasks," Stinchcomb said. "It provides helpful checklists to ensure all requirements for a smooth onboarding process are met."

Stinchcomb said early supervisor involvement helps employees navigate their first day and begin integrating into the workforce.

"Establishing clear expectations is essential for a smooth transition," Stinchcomb said. "This approach helps employees become productive more quickly by ensuring they have immediate system access, assigned equipment, a designated desk and a smooth integration into the DLA culture."

Involvement begins when employees arrive at DSCR.

"From the moment they arrive, a new employee is greeted personally at the Visitor's Center by their supervisor where they receive their CAC," Johnson said. "They receive presentations with smooth transitions through essential onboarding steps such as badging, IT setup and HR support."

Charles Pearson, an information technology specialist with DLA Information Operations, said receiving his Common Access Card on his first day stood out most.

Pearson said he also appreciated learning about employee benefits immediately.

Timothy Elliott, an information technology specialist with DLA Intelligence and Security, said bringing support organizations together in one location helped simplify the onboarding process.

"It was good to get to see the staff sections in one place so the new hires didn't have to figure out where to go to see who," Elliott said.

Richmond employees also helped refine the program before its implementation across DLA.

Feedback from the first pilot, conducted May 18, led organizers to make adjustments before the June 1 event.

"The first pilot generated positive feedback about the structured and welcoming environment," Johnson said. "We encountered a few technical issues, and supervisors expressed a need for clearer expectations regarding their involvement."

Organizers used that feedback to improve the second pilot.

"For the June 1 pilot, we streamlined the agenda to reduce information overload and improved the flow between onboarding presenters," Johnson said.

"The updated Day 1 orientation process is much more streamlined," Stinchcomb said. "It allows new employees to receive essential initial information before reporting to their respective teams."

As DLA prepares to implement ENGAGE across the agency, Johnson said Richmond's role in the pilot gave local employees an opportunity to contribute to a program that will affect future hires throughout the enterprise.

"Preparing a process that will eventually be used across DLA has been both exciting and high impact, because we know how important this experience will be for thousands of future employees," Johnson said. "Overall, it has been rewarding to help build a program that strengthens our culture and supports our workforce from their very first day."