Farewell to 2025

For Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services personnel, reverse logistics in the year 2025 was in many ways reflective of DLA's standard, unwavering commitment to warfighter support. But in other ways, it will likely be remembered as a year of change.

From its headquarters in Battle Creek and across more than 60 global locations, DLA Disposition Services managed the massive task of receiving, classifying, and reutilizing or disposing of everything from office supplies to vehicles while significantly extending the impact of taxpayer dollars. In just the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, the organization processed property originally worth $232 billion and fulfilled over 103,000 property requisitions, putting 2.35 million items originally worth $2 billion back into service with military units, federal agencies, state and local governments and other qualified donation recipients. In addition to the $2 billion in property reutilized, the command generated approximately $84 million in revenue through public sales.

In 2025, the organization standardized the role of its primary customer-facing specialists, or Disposal Service Representatives. The initiative refined job descriptions and checklists to ensure DSRs remained focused on high-impact priorities. The agency also expanded its tiered virtual fundamentals Block training, surpassing 1,000 students served, and achieved 100% workforce completion for Basic Data Acumen training, a first for any DLA major subordinate command.

The MSC pushed for greater precision by upgrading key business systems. Enhancements to the Electronic Turn-In Document System helped warehouse personnel make smart decisions about what property to make available for reuse, while progress on the new Disposition Automated Scheduler began streamlining the property turn-in process for customers at its initial launch sites. The Risk Management team matured the Excess to Disposal business cycle, strengthening internal controls and financial integrity in line with federal mandates. Their recommendations for improving testing and validation were adopted as best practices across DLA.

A key strategic focus for the year was the introduction of a "circular economy" organizational orientation around the idea of reclamation of critical materials from property turn-ins. Prompted by geopolitical events, including the conflict in Ukraine and export restrictions from China, DLA launched its initial forays into reclaiming valuable elements from disposed property. First efforts included testing the reclamation of boron carbide from body armor plates and partnering with DLA Research and Development personnel and DLA Strategic Materials on projects to recover germanium and convert titanium scrap into powder for additive manufacturing.

The team strengthened partnerships by hosting an industry outreach event in Battle Creek that drew more than 200 vendors, led to increased small business participation and set the conditions for more competitive contract proposals. DLA is also now on the cusp of completing a slow-brewing formal agreement with the Australian Department of Defence to provide in-country disposal services for U.S. forces.

Parts of the organization's physical footprint are also set to change. During the year, DLA began its plans to relocate its Molesworth disposal site in the United Kingdom to RAF Feltwell, where DLA staff will be closer to their primary customers. Organizational leadership also recommended the closure of the property disposal site at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota after regional workload analysis.

Most significantly for its headquarters, the General Services Administration in July designated the Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center in Battle Creek for "accelerated disposition." The decision, driven by deferred maintenance costs and low office space utilization, requires DLA to find an alternative worksite solution within three years. DLA is now exploring options, including local leasing.

Within the MSC, DLA Document Services continued to execute its 76-year mission, with its specialists producing more than 595 million print impressions and digitizing 215 million paper documents during FY25. The Navy was its largest customer. The organization, nested within DLA Disposition Services, underwent significant rounds of analyses throughout the year, and several substantial changes to its makeup and charter are expected in 2026.