Marine Corps Logistics Command Albany, Ga. -- Marine Corps senior leaders in logistics and acquisition gathered for a two-day meeting aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, Georgia, Jan. 15-16.
In a collaborative effort, Marine Corps Logistics Command, Marine Corps Systems Command and Program Executive Officer Land Systems representatives discussed how to enable the Marine Corps to deliver more affordable and supportable military equipment to the warfighter.
In addition, they talked about how lifecycle product support concepts must align for the effective development and integration of lifecycle management strategies into the acquisition and sustainment of military equipment.
Brig. Gen. Joseph F. Shrader, commanding general, MARCORLOGCOM, said the purpose of the meeting is to increase the readiness of military equipment.
“If we are able to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the way we do this sustainment piece, starting from the beginning on the acquisition side all the way through system development to fielding and sustainment, it’s going to benefit the operating forces,” he said.
Shrader, who served as the commander of MCSC from July 2014 to May 2018, said the meeting was one of the ways to close the gaps that exist between MCSC and MARCORLOGCOM.
Two topics Shrader wanted to discuss at the meeting were the stratification and budget for the Care of Supplies in Storage for all MARCORLOGCOM military equipment and the Lifecycle Strategy.
According to Shrader, good progress has been made with COSIS.
“We got the cost estimate to the point where I wanted to share with (Marine Corps Systems Command) to get their feedback on it,” he said. “We got their input and it was good.
Shrader also wanted to address Lifecycle Strategy.
“Lifecycle Strategy is within the Lifecycle Sustainment Plan and includes having MARCORLOGCOM approval authority commensurate with the level of the program,” he said.
The meeting also allowed the leaders to discuss decision making authority at the appropriate level.
Each system that is fielded has a lifecycle sustainment strategy, according to Shrader.
“Basically, that plan is supposed to set the conditions for the handoff of a piece of equipment to us from (Marine Corps Systems Command),” he said. “It is supposed to set the conditions so there is a smooth transition, so MARCORLOGCOM can take that piece of equipment—once it is fielded—and sustain it.”
Other topics of discussion included the Enterprise Lifecycle Maintenance Planning, Temporary Storage Projects, Operating Materiel and Supplies policy/management, Consolidated Storage Program, Global Combat Support System-Marine Corps and Financial Improvement and Audit Readiness.
Shrader also discussed co-locating weapons systems managers, item managers and equipment specialists with liaisons at MCSC, PEO-LS and Headquarters Installations and Logistics.
According to Shrader, the meeting was a success.
“We accomplished exactly what we set out to do,” he said. “There were eight items on the agenda and every one of those topics had substantive discussion. We got some really good things accomplished and some good tasks have come out of that.”
Shrader emphasized the success of the meeting was due to Col. Charles Long Jr., director, Weapons Systems Management Center, his staff and MCSC staff.
“I cannot say enough about that team and what a great job they did putting the meeting together,” he said.
Shrader stressed the need to continue to hold the meeting semiannually.
“I don’t believe once a year is enough,” he said. “I think it has to be twice a year, and we must not let it become one of those check in the block things.
“The directors, commanders and the program managers need to be engaged and see this as a useful way to get those 50-weight issues on the table and close the gaps between the two commands,” he said.
Brig. Gen. Arthur J. Pasagian, commander, Marine Corps Systems Command, reiterated the purpose of the meeting.
“The meeting is a reflection of understanding that the lifecycle continuum is extremely complicated and requires close coordination by both commands in order for us to be successful in [supporting] any weapon system,” Pasagian said. “[Supporting] an M16 or M4 is not the same as supporting a combat or cargo vehicle. By acknowledging those differences, we can act on the unique challenges of each of those commodities as it relates to the lifecycle.
“Whether it be maintenance, care and storage, corrosion prevention, or initial issue provisioning and parts resupply, it’s important that [the commands] act in a coordinated fashion so we’re putting our resources toward a common goal and common effort,” he added.
The next meeting is scheduled to be held in July at MCSC aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia.
“The initial meeting [in January] set the stage—a baseline—for the premier topics that are on the agenda for the greater Marine Corps as we set up toward the 2025 force,” he continued. “The July meeting will enable us to build on that and get into a lower level of granularity on some of the initial topics that were raised. Specifically, [with regard to] what we’re doing with our inventory down at LOGCOM, how we care for and store that inventory, and maybe if there’s excess inventory, what we do with it.”
Pasagian agreed that holding the meeting semi-annually is important.
“Holding a semiannual meeting reflects the fast-moving pace for a lot of these issues,” he said. “It’s no secret that corrosion prevention is a really big deal for Marines. As our gear sits in places like Hawaii or Okinawa, it’s susceptible and prone to an accelerated expected service life.
“There are simple things we can do at both Albany and Barstow, and even out in the fleet, that will prevent that from happening so we can maximize our investment and get the warfighters what they need to operate in a more ready-state condition,” he said. “Meeting at least twice a year means we understand how important these issues are and how urgent it is that we get this stuff right.”
Pasagian added that including Headquarters Marine Corps Installations and Logistics in the semiannual meetings allows the commands to work in concert and better apportion tasks.
“Time is money, and we have to act on some of these things in parallel or our readiness suffers,” he said.
John M. Garner, Program Executive Officer - Land Systems, was also a key member of the meeting.
“The meeting was a great opportunity to discuss some of the ways in which the acquisition and logistics communities can better team to improve readiness and reduce sustainment costs of the Marine Corps ground equipment,” Garner said. “I look forward to continuing the conversation as we move forward getting after some of our shared challenges.”