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port,” Simerly said. “We’ve got some folks that are here for the plish the mission with honor,” he said. “If we don’t do it in a
long haul.” way that is consistent with our values, in an honorable way, then
With that loyalty as a foundation, he also expects Troop Sup- we’ve done a lot more damage than what we’ve accomplished
port employees to commit to professional development as they on an individual task.”
strive to master their craft. In turn, he said they could expect Simerly said he expects Troop Support employees to also
Troop Support leaders to commit to providing the resources and practice discipline in their professional interactions.
the environment to meet their development needs. “I expect you to treat each other with dignity and respect
Along with being committed to improving individual per- always,” he said.
formance, Simerly also expects the workforce to come together When it comes to violations of trust and integrity, Simerly
as a team to achieve success. “If we’re successful as a team, told his workforce there is no leeway.
then the warfighter is going to be successful when it comes to “Ethical lapses just cannot be tolerated,” he said. “If you
logistics,” he said. mistreat people, there will be consequences for that.”
Simerly said he prefers to practice a positive approach to Commitment, trust and discipline are essential to an effective
leadership because negative, power-based approaches aren’t ef- workforce, especially considering the current state of affairs in
fective over the long term. the European and Pacific theaters, Simerly said.
“I just want to say the glass is half full, and when I see that “We easily could be on the precipice of the next big con-
glass half full, I’m wondering what I’ve got to do to get it all flict,” he said. “In some places, we are just a hairs-width from
the way full,” Simerly said. “And that’s where I need your help, the next conflict.”
getting it all the way full.” He said these conflicts have the potential to be on a much
In addition to commitment, two other key characteristics larger scale and more lethal than those of the past several de-
underscore Simerly’s approach to leading DLA Troop Support: cades, and Troop Support must set the conditions now that will
trust and discipline. enable effective warfighter support.
“Trust — it’s the life blood of our profession,” Simerly said. Simerly comes to Troop Support from the Combined Arms
“If we don’t have trust, we’re really not going anywhere, and Support Command at Fort Lee, Va., where he was the director
that’s the bottom line.” of capabilities, development and integration and worked for
Next, he explained how discipline affects the mission. Williams for two years.
“You should expect me, and I should expect you, to accom- Williams praised Simerly’s broad experience. —Continued

6 GOVERNMENT FOOD SERVICE • SEPTEMBER 2017