2023 Symposium & Summer Edition of the ER out tomorrow!

Ahead of the Logistics Officer Association publishing the 2023 Symposium & Summer edition of the Exceptional Release, check out the editor's letter below as a "teaser" of all the greatness to come! Many thanks to all of our contributors & staff that put all of this together!

Dear logisticians,

As we quickly approach July 4th and the opportunity to celebrate our independence as a nation, I hope you have a chance to take some time for an activity that brings you joy.?Once again, this edition of the Exceptional Release highlights the important work that we do in service to our nation.?It takes all of us.?Every now and then, it is important that we take the time to recharge and reset to serve at our best.

In this Symposium edition of our award-winning, peer reviewed publication, our theme is Looking Back and Driving Forward.?The following pages include a brief reflection of our time together at #LOA2023 and all of the incredible topics covered at Union Station Hotel in downtown St. Louis.?We start out with thoughts from Lt Col Rob Campbell (the 21A one), who led our symposium planning team to curate the world-class agenda and content that made the event so special.?This edition also highlights the tremendous talent we had the pleasure of recognizing on the main stage and includes a write up about the NCO Inclusive Leadership Excellence program that focuses on suicide prevention at Kirtland AFB.

?While we enjoyed logistics camaraderie and professional development throughout that week in March, our work across the community has continued and this edition reflects.?Recently graduated Air Force Strategic Policy Fellows, Majors Eric Hulshizer and Katie Oviatt analyze the critical role of trucking in our military distribution networks, arguing for the application of theory of constraints to address manning shortfalls.?In “The Boom Heard ‘Round the Air Force,” Brig Gen Lyle Drew shares his reflections as he finishes his tour as the 82d Training Wing Commander with a reminder to lay off the honey buns and opt for yogurt, like the trainees at Sheppard are now doing.?Maj Mike Kravitz follows with an in-depth analysis of agile combat employment as a scheme of maneuver, providing the terminology and examples to promote necessary awareness.

We also welcome Lt Kathleen Kohler ’s discerning analysis on the relationship between logistics and command and control in her article “Planes, Trains, & Ammunition” and Capt Chris Ford ’s visionary piece on how technology and tactical innovation could play a crucial role in future conflict. Providing an insightful explanation of a fundamental logistics topic, Ms. Katie Parks shares her perspective from the Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy on how we value intellectual property and data rights—a subject of vital importance to Air Force sustainment strategy.?Finally, we close this publication with a reflection from Lt Col Heather Wooten , Commandant of the Advanced Maintenance and Munitions Officer School, as the institution celebrates its 20-year anniversary.

This edition further demonstrates the phenomenal work that continues across our community.?Pausing to reflect on all of the goodness from the last symposium, we are also thrilled for #LOA2024, held in the very same Union Station Hotel in St. Louis, MO, 25-29 March.?We’re excited to announce that our theme for this year’s event is Logistics: Driving Integrated Deterrence and sincerely hope that you’ll be able to join us.

In closing, we are in the process of hiring the next Editor-in-Chief for the Exceptional Release. My experience in this role has been some of the most rewarding volunteer work I’ve done.?There’s something particularly powerful about connecting with so many different talented and inspiring logisticians so regularly. While I’d love to continue serving as the Editor, your LOA team has so many exciting initiatives coming up, it’s important that we aren’t limited by the capacity of any one volunteer. I know that there’s someone reading this who will take full advantage of the opportunity. Thanks for all that you do!

Onward!

Evan