DEFENSE CONTRACTING MANAGEMEN AGENCY-MLK JR. MESSAGE OF THE DAY

*I WORK FOR THIS DOD AGENCY SUPPORTING THE WARFIGHTER AND WANTED TO SHARE WITH THE RP NATION*

DCMA Team,

To study and understand the greatness of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. could take a lifetime, but his overarching message of peace is simple and established within our Nation’s foundation: equality for all.

“I still have a dream. It is deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day the nation will rise up, live out the true meaning of this creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” — Dr. King.

In a vacuum, the justness and simplicity of this idea would make it universally accepted. Unfortunately, we have yet to meet Dr. King’s expectations. Too many Americans continue to face obstacles in their personal pursuit of happiness. The good news is the pursuit is not over. The bad news, changing institutional inequity can seem like an overwhelmingly complex issue for individuals who wish to make a measurable impact.

We are a country of millions. It is hard to comprehend individual actions impacting global challenges. As an individual who successfully influenced many while navigating a hateful era with grace, Dr. King is a mentor we can all strive to emulate.

He said, “If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.”

That is my challenge to all DCMA team members. How can you impact change? Every day there are opportunities to positively impact the collective good.

For years, an agency tenet has been: One team, one voice delivering global acquisition insight. We are one team. We are one voice. We can all do better in our professional and personal lives ensuring every team member is judged solely on their performance.

We can all stand in the face of injustice. We can all take time to educate ourselves and consider the feelings of others. We can all do better.

During my first year with the agency, I wrote, “Special Emphasis Programs are an integral part of the Equal Employment Opportunity Program. These programs ensure agencies take affirmative steps to provide equal opportunity in the hiring, advancement, training and treatment of minorities, women, and people with disabilities. I consider diversity and EEO an operational imperative. Together, we are committed to upholding and promoting these programs.”

In my eyes, the importance of these programs have grown during my time here. Social media and instant access to information are modern conveniences that drive the dissemination of information, but they also expand the access to and at what speed we receive misinformation.

True understanding and acceptance is something we must own as individuals. We owe it to ourselves, we owe it to our fellow American’s and we owe it to future generations. We are all pursuing happiness.

Dr. King is one of America’s great orators, leaders and icons. His influential words, ideas and actions generate such power and inspiration he has forever secured his place among the world’s great leaders.

Monday we celebrate a great man. What we do Tuesday is up to us.

David H. Lewis
VADM, USN
Director