2004 SDDC Training Symposium stresses distribution, deployment.

In the midst of the biggest military shipments since World War II, distribution and deployment were the key topics of presentation and discussion at SDDC's 2004 Training Symposium.

The symposium drew 1,530 participants March 22-26 to Denver, Colo. This year's symposium was a resumption of SDDC's annual training event-cancelled in 2003 due to Operation Iraqi Freedom.

For the first time, SDDC partnered on presenting the conference with the General Service Administration.

"Our theme for this year, 'Deployment and Distribution ... Factory to Foxhole,' focuses on the vast links in partnerships and transformation through the dynamics of distribution," said Maj. Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody, commander.

"The theme will also bridge our new relationship with the General Service Administration as they join us for this symposium."

Dunwoody praised industry supporters for their work in assisting shipments to Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"Industry partners did the heavy lifting," said Dunwoody. "We appreciate our rail, truck, ports and ocean carrier partners."

General Service Administration was represented by G. Martin Wagner of Washington, D.C.

Wagner praised SDDC for its distribution and deployment operations in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"In order for them (warfighters) to be there, they have to have the right stuff at the right time," said Wagner, associate administrator, of GSA's Office of Government Policy. "Transportation does not always get the visibility. We do appreciate all your work."

Wagner told transporters technology was changing the way they operate today--and into the future.

"There's a major change of technology in the marketplace," said Wagner. "This is going to change the way we operate."

Symposium participants were enthusiastic about SDDC's symposium.

Georgia Angell, president, Dell Forwarding, Inc., of Monroe, Wash., has attended SDDC symposiums since the early 1980s.

"The attendance has increased over the years but so has the type of participants," said Angell. "There are more industry partners. At the same time, we're getting more levels of participation--such as installation-level Personal Property Shipping Offices."

Angell said the networking with the installation offices assists in industry wide communication.

"Exhibits are a prime example," said Angell. "There are a greater number and variety of exhibitors. This produces greater opportunities to network both with exhibitors and symposium attendees."

Jon Low heard motivational speaker Keith Harrell tell a packed breakfast meeting March 24, "When you choose to be positive, your day goes better. When you choose to be positive, you get along with your family better."

"Super fantastic," said Low, chief, transportation branch, Installation Management Agency Northwest Office, Rock Island Arsenal, Rock Island, Ill. attending his first symposium.

"This is all very beneficial," said Low. "It's a great opportunity to network and learn the latest policy updates."

Low said he would book a return engagement--at next year's symposium.

Later that day, retired Army transporter Duane Sweeney attended a session on lessons learned in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Sweeney is a lead senior functional analyst with Defense Systems, Inc., of Manassas, Va.

A range of positive and negative lessons learned were presented by a panel led by Col. Sandy Sanders, commander 1192nd Transportation Terminal Brigade, New Orleans.

"They focused just fine," said Sweeney, of panel members such as Maj. John Aube, chief, daily operations, SDDC Operations Center, who discussed Reserve component equipment shortcomings affecting deployment and managing ocean containers in theater.

"Too often we don't share bad news," said Sweeney. "We need to learn from it."