Colonel Gustave F. Perna

Commander, Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Defense Logistics Agency

Colonel Gustave F. Perna is the Commander of the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Defense Logistics Agency. DSCP annually buys over $12.4 billion worth of food, clothing, textiles, medicines, medical supplies, construction and equipment items for America’s warfighters and other customers worldwide.

Prior to assuming command at DSCP, Colonel Perna served as the Executive Officer to the Director of DLA, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. In this capacity, he directly supported the Director's mission of providing the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and other federal agencies with logistics, acquisitions and technical services support.

As an Infantry Officer, Colonel Perna served in the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry as a Rifle Platoon Leader, Rifle Company Executive Officer and Battalion S4 at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. He then transferred to the Ordnance Corps and served as the Wheel Vehicle Branch and Division Chief, commanded B Company, 143d Ordnance Battalion, and served as Aide de Camp to the Chief of the Ordnance Corps, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.

Colonel Perna's next assignment led him to the 13th Corps Support Command, Fort Hood, Texas where he deployed immediately to Somalia as a staff member of the Joint Task Force Support Command. Upon return to Fort Hood, he was assigned to the COSCOM G4 staff as the Maintenance Officer and completed his tour serving as the 544th Maintenance Battalion Support Operations Officer and Battalion Executive Officer. Colonel Perna returned to overseas duty in Saudi Arabia as the Eastern Region Logistics Advisor.

Upon his second return to Fort Hood, he was assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division as the DISCOM Executive Officer and later the Division G4 while the unit deployed to Bosnia. Colonel Perna completed that tour as the Deputy Commanding Officer for the 64th Corps Support Group. Colonel Perna then commanded the 64th Forward Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colorado; he deployed the battalion to combat operations during OIF I. Following battalion command, he served as the Ordnance Branch Chief, Human Resources Command. Colonel Perna then served as the Commander of the 4th Sustainment Brigade; he deployed the brigade to combat operations during OIF 05-07.

Colonel Perna graduated from Valley Forge Military Academy with an Associate Degree in Business Administration. Graduating as a Distinguished Military Graduate, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, Infantry Officer. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management from University of Maryland and a Masters Degree in Logistics Management from Florida Institute of Technology. His military education includes Infantry Officer Basic Course, Ordnance Officer Advance Course, Logistics Executive Development Course, Support Operations Course, Command and General Staff College and Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

Colonel Perna's awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with four Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with Numeral Three, United Nations Medal, NATO Medal, Air Assault Badge, and Parachute Badge.