PHILADELPHIA — Wherever America’s troops are serving around the globe, they will experience the taste and smells of home this holiday, thanks to the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support Subsistence team.
One of the largest annual efforts for the supply chain, Subsistence ensured more than 380,000 pounds of traditional Thanksgiving food and other treats were delivered for the 2025 Thanksgiving holiday.
“It is the most significant event that has the greatest influence on the morale of the warfighter and their families,” said Robin Whaley, DLA’s chief of subsistence for customers outside the continental United States.
Careful planning, coordination with multiple parties and attention to detail all go into making sure items arrive in time for the holiday, Whaley added.
Varying troop strength around the globe each year adds to the importance of being precise in the ordering process.
“Holiday requirements are like fingerprints in that no two are alike,” said Subsistence Director of Customer Operations John Sheehan. “The ebb and flow of one holiday item to the next is based on the fluid troop requirements and preferences from year to year.”
For the Subsistence team, there is always a sense of pride in completing this mission.
“There is excitement in knowing we are giving the warfighters a representation of their home and knowing the work we do helps them feel more connected to their families and communities,” said Army Master Sgt. Jose Montero, the subsistence non-commission officer in charge. “I feel extremely proud knowing an extremely talented, committed team consisting of DLA Troop Support, DLA Europe and Africa, DLA Indo-Pacific, and Subsistence Prime Vendors worked diligently to ensure every warfighter has a hot meal for Thanksgiving.”
For Subsistence Military Food Advisor Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Shemika Harris, this was her first experience being on the planning side of ensuring holiday meals for the warfighter.
“I’m absolutely impressed by the effort, and genuine concern that the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support Subsistence team puts into this mission,” said Harris. “They approach each holiday with a sense of pride and purpose knowing that these meals mean far more than just food.”
This Thanksgiving holiday, military dining facilities can expect to receive:
• 152,626 pounds of turkey (includes whole and roasted turkey)
• 124,022 pounds of beef
• 66,054 pounds of ham
• 38,081 pounds of shrimp
• 6,512 cans of sweet potatoes
• 15,282 cases of pies and cakes
• 792 cases of eggnog
• And other holiday treats
DLA Troop Support annually supplies America’s armed forces with more than $25 billion of food, uniforms, protective equipment, medicine and medical supplies, and construction and equipment items. Its history, rooted in Philadelphia, began in 1800 with the construction of the Schuylkill Arsenal before the Civil War.
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