DSR Spotlight: Clay Toms

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. - Clay Toms is a Disposal Service Representative for DLA Disposition Services, serving customers western Europe.

What are your regions of responsibility?

Each team member based out of Kaiserslautern works at any of our locations in western Europe, which includes the western side of Germany, Belgium, France and Luxemburg.

Tell us about your career before you began working as a DSR? For example, any military service or previous DLA roles?

I served four years as an active duty Marine (Oorah!) before my employment with DLA Disposition Services as a material examiner and identifier. I was an ME&I for 10 years at Camp Lejeune prior to becoming a DSR in Kaiserslautern, Germany.

What is the value that you see about your role as a DSR?

I believe the value of the DSR role is in the support we give to the warfighter. Sometimes that means having the answers to "how do I get rid of this pile of 'junk'?," or "why can't I just throw this busted computer in the landfill?" Sometimes it means being able to help a unit get cold weather gear for an unforeseen event at the last minute or an extra truck they desperately needed to transport people and gear. Whether we are helping to dispose of property the correct way or getting property into someone's hands who has a use for it, our job is to know how to make it happen and support the warfighter any way we can.

Is there a memorable moment as a DSR that stands out for you and why do you find that one unique?

One moment that stands out to me is my first visit to a unit that had a huge room stacked with government property which had been hoarded for years because no one knew how to turn it in and a soldier who was told he had six months to clean it out. The unit was over an hour away and I went with a more experienced DSR to see how we could be of service.

The soldier wasn't exaggerating when he contacted us about the issue he faced. There were stacks, piles and pallets of just about any type of property you would think an Army unit could acquire over the years.

As we began to walk him through the different processes with his specific property, you could see the relief wash over him when he realized it was not an impossible task and that we were there to help.

Sure, I've had moments with big, crazy, unique situations and high value property, but it's the little everyday interactions that make this job stand out.

What advice would you give to someone who is new to using the services of a DSR?

We are here to represent DLA Disposition Service and to support the warfighter. We can't help if we don't know what you need, so just ask the questions and let us do our job - supporting you!

What is your favorite part about your job?

The day-to-day interactions with customers. So many people to meet and help, it's never boring!

Anything you'd like to share about your life outside of work? (Hobbies, interests, favorite book or quote, etc.)

My wife, three kids, and I enjoy the outdoors. We like to hunt, fish and camp. I play guitar, sing, and lead churches in music. I have a master's in Christian ministry and love to teach and preach the Bible to adults and kids. I can get lost for hours in the woods, good books, and good coffee.

I think the quote I've most often used in life - "Don't follow your heart" - is derived from a famous Protestant reformer's teaching on Jeremiah 17:9: "The human heart is a perpetual factory of idols." - John Calvin