Beginning in October 1998, the Combined Logistics Officer Advanced Course (CLOAC) will be replaced by the 24-week, four-phase Combined Logistics Captains Career Course (CLC3). Since its inception, CLOAC had been a 20-week, three-phase course.
The CLC3 combines CLOAC and the Combined Arms and Services Staff School (CAS3) at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, into one course for logistics officers. It was created as a result of a recommendation of the Captains Professional Military Education (CPT PME) Study. Similarly, that study recommended that other officer advanced courses be replaced by branch-specific captains career courses that also incorporate the CAS3 curriculum.
Graduates of CLC3 will receive one diploma and one academic efficiency report. Army active-duty officers attending CLC3 will continue to be assigned as a permanent change of station to the Army Logistics Management College, Fort Lee, Virginia, where Phase 1 (reduced to 5 weeks) and Phase 3 (8 weeks) will be taught. The 5-week Phase 2 of CLC3 will continue to be taught at the various branch school locations with students attending on a temporary-duty-and-return basis. The 6-week staff process training at Fort Leavenworth (also attended on a temporary-duty-and-return basis) will constitute Phase 4 of CLC3.
Students from other military services and international military students will not attend Phase 4 of CLC3. Army National Guard and Army Reserve students must obtain separate quotas for Phase 4 of CLC3 through National Guard Bureau and Army Reserve Personnel Command channels, respectively.
When its directorates of contracting (DOC's) convert to the Standard Procurement System (SPS) in December, the Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Fort Monroe, Virginia, will become the first major Army command to implement paperless contracting.
The Deputy Secretary of Defense, Dr. John J. Hamre, directed the Department of Defense (DOD) to move to a paperless contracting process by 1 January 2000. The SPS is considered to be pivotal to accomplishing that goal.
Web sites at major command, department, and DOD levels will list each contract solicitation and include a brief description of services or supplies sought. Contractors will be able to access these repositories and compete with other companies for the contract. The web sites also will include instructions on preparing and submitting bids electronically.
"This is just the first step toward performing Government-wide functions electronically," said Colonel David Clagett, Jr., TRADOC's Director of Contracting. "Contracting was probably the best place for the Department of Defense to start if they wanted to make a significant difference and save tremendous amounts of money."
According to Lieutenant Colonel Cleo Mackey, chief of the Requirements and Management Division in TRADOC's Acquisition Directorate, savings will be gained by streamlining the contracting process and saving untold quantities of paper rather than eliminating employees. "The need for a highly trained and experienced force of contracting professionals won't change," he said.
Installation DOC's will indoctrinate the customers they serve and their local business communities on the new contracting process. Software that enables customers to write their requirements in the proper format is part of base operations information management systems that are being fielded throughout the Army.
"This is a national problem," said Lieutenant General William H. Campbell, Director of Information Systems for Command, Control, Communications, and Computers, Department of the Army. He was referring to the $366 million the Army will spend to fix computer problems caused by the year 2000 (Y2K).
Because many computers are not set to change over from the 1900's to 2000, they either could revert back to 1900 or shut down completely. General Campbell illustrated the scope of the problem with a question to the Army Corps of Engineers: "Are you guys sure you don't have embedded microprocessors in dams and locks?"
"There is no new funding to pay for this fix," Campbell said. He is drawing funds from other accounts to work on the problem.
The Y2K dilemma could have a big impact on the Army's plan to digitize a
division by 2000 and a corps
by 2004. "There are 500 programs involved in this effort," Campbell said.
It includes everything from Joint STARS to special radar to the command and
control vehicle." (STARS stands for Surveillance and Target Attack Radar
System, a long-range, air-to-ground surveillance and battle management system.)
General Campbell added that, because the Army is based primarily in the continental United States, it also is important that computer and communications systems be improved here, including the Pentagon. "We have to digitize the sustaining base as well," he said. "Clearly, if we are going to work in the Information Age, we have to make the investment now."
Effective immediately, only major end items with a programmed maintenance requirement should be sent to Letterkenny Army Depot, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, for repair. This change results from the 1995 Base Realignment and Closure Commission's decision to close the Defense Distribution Depot (DDLP) on 1 October 1998.
A satellite element of the Defense Distribution Depot at Susquehanna, Pennsylvania (DDSP), known as DDSP South, will support Army class VII (major end items) maintenance requirements at Letterkenny. Class IX (repair parts and components) for which Letterkenny has the repair mission should be sent to DDSP also. All other materiel should be sent to the repair depot designated in the automatic return item listing.
For information concerning specific items, contact the appropriate inventory item manager. Other questions should be directed to Martin Elkins at (703) 617-8369 or DSN 767-8369 (e-mail melkins@ hqamc.army.mil).
The largest and most mission-capable barge derrick in the Army's equipment inventory was christened last June in Baltimore, Maryland. The Keystone State is basically a 200-foot-long, 80-foot-wide floating crane. The first new floating crane to be built for the Army in 40 years, the Keystone State will be used to load and discharge cargo that is beyond the operating capacity of an average ship's lift system. It has a lift capacity of 115 tons, which means it can lift and discharge an M1A2 Abrams tank from the deck of the Navy's largest cargo ship. The barge derrick will work with Military Sealift Command ships as well as with commercially operated ships. Its size and mission flexibility will enable faster, safer, and more efficient cargo transfers during training or actual mobilization.
The Keystone State (below) was named in honor of 13 Pennsylvania
reservists from the 14th Quartermaster Detachment who died when a Scud missile
hit their barracks in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, in 1991.
Engineers at the Army Research Laboratory's (ARL's) Weapons and Materials Research Directorate at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, are working to develop transparent armor that will provide better ballistic protection in thinner, lighter weight assemblies. The transparent armor will be more efficient, have lower life cycle costs, and last longer than traditional armor.
Ceramic materials, such as ALON, an aluminum oxynitride, and magnesium aluminate spinel, are harder and offer superior ballistic protection versus conventional glass or plastic armor systems. Recent research has shown that using ALON can reduce the weight of transparent armor by over 50 percent and still repel 7.62-mm armor-piercing threats. However, cost and the difficulty of producing large pieces of such materials have prevented their widespread use.
ARL is focusing on developing the process of creating large assemblies that can be used for real applications, such as a windshield for a high-mobility, multipurpose wheeled vehicle (HMMWV). A lighter vehicle is faster, requires less maintenance, and uses less fuel. Thinner armor leaves more interior room for soldiers and cargo.
ARL and the Natick Research, Development, and Engineering Center in Massachusetts are working together to develop a face plate of transparent armor that will offer increased individual protection for soldiers involved in hazardous tasks such as ordnance disposal. Their goal is to make it equal in ballistic protection to the Kevlar helmet.
Light transmission for visibility is an important consideration in all applications of the proposed transparent armor. For certain tasks, such as piloting helicopters while wearing night-vision devices, distortion-free visibility is critical.
Researchers estimate that they are about a year away from producing the materials they need. They will continue to look at ALON and similar materials. At the same time, they will look for cheaper ways to produce those materials and at less expensive materials such as glass ceramics and high-hardness, low-density glass.
AORS SCHEDULED
The annual Army Operations Research Symposium (AORS) will take place at the Army Logistics Management College, Fort Lee, Virginia, 13 to 15 October 1998. This year's theme is, "Discovery Through Operations Research." Additional information can be found on the AORS website: http://aors.army.mil.
NEW SOLDIER SUPPORT EQUIPMENT ENHANCES QUALITY OF LIFE
Four new logistics systems introduced recently by the Office of the Product Manager-Soldier Support, Army Soldier Systems Command, Natick, Massachusetts, will weigh less, cost less, and require less manpower to use than current systems, significantly improving life for soldiers in the field—
· The new lightweight maintenance enclosure (LME) is an easy-to-erect shelter for tactical maintenance operations. It takes 12 soldiers only 35 minutes to set up, compared to the old shelter, which took 8 soldiers 3 to 4 hours to erect. It is 32 feet long, 24 feet wide, and 13½ feet high and can accommodate oversized vehicles. The LME can be extended in length by joining additional LME's.
· The new modular general-purpose tent system (MGPTS) will replace the large, bulky, and frequently leaky general-purpose tents currently used by troops in the field. The new system has fewer poles and uses a modular design that allows units to connect 18-foot sections of the system together to create the space they need. The MGPTS has heat-sealed, leakproof seams and uses tensioned fabric that distributes wind, rain, and snow from the fabric directly to the supporting poles.
· The new laundry advanced system (LADS) will replace the current M85
field laundry systems, with one LADS doing the work of four M85's. Each LADS
consists of laundry processing and water-cycling equipment mounted on a flatrack,
with the flatrack and a 30-kilowatt generator mounted on a 30-foot trailer.
A 5-ton tractor tows the system. Each LADS can support 500 soldiers in the
field and can process 400 pounds of laundry per hour. The recycling feature
of the LADS reduces water usage from 24,000 gallons a day to 500 gallons
a day. Wastewater is reduced from 20,000 gallons per day to 40 gallons per
day. Only two soldiers are required to operate the system, down from the
eight soldiers needed to operate four M85 laundries.
· The modern burner unit (MBU) will replace the M2 gasoline burner now used in all field feeding systems. The new unit uses the less volatile JP8 fuel instead of gasoline, so it can be lit inside the kitchen, unlike the M2 burner, which had to be lit outside and carried inside after preheating.
As of 1 July, reserve component captains can complete either phase I of the Associate Logistics Executive Development Course (ALEDC) or the Reserve Component Multifunctional Combat Service Support (RCMCSS) Course to meet the education requirements for functional area (FA) 90, Logistics. ALEDC and RCMCSS are offered by the Army Logistics Management College at Fort Lee, Virginia. To meet the FA 90 requirement, ALEDC must be taken in residence at ALMC. Completion of RCMCSS earns students credit for completing ALEDC phase I.
ALEDC serves as the Army's senior logistics course for reserve component officers and civilian managers. As a resident course, it lasts 10 weeks and is organized into 5 phases. ALEDC also is available as a correspondence course lasting 499 hours. ALEDC provides insights into the multifunctional areas of logistics and their integration within the Department of Defense (DOD). Students gain a fuller understanding of the interface among the Army in the field, the DOD logistics structure, and industry and enhance their fundamental management skills. Completing ALEDC qualifies a reserve component officer for promotion to lieutenant colonel.
Students enrolled in ALEDC are required to complete the course within 4 years. If a student does not complete the course within 4 years, he will be dropped from the course rolls automatically and will be required to repeat the entire course.
RCMCSS is a 2-week course offered in residence at ALMC or on site. It trains students for positions as multifunctional officers in multifunctional combat service support organizations.
For more information, call (804) 765-4750 (DSN 539-4750) or (804) 765-4752 (DSN 539-4752) or e-mail edwardsp@lee-dns1.army.mil or jonesr@lee-dns1.army.mil.
The Army Chief of Staff presented Army Awards for Maintenance Excellence to the following winning units in a ceremony at the Pentagon last June—
Active Army (Modification Table of Organization and Equipment) (MTOE)
Light. 1097th Transportation Company, Rodman Naval Station, Panama.
Intermediate. 109th Transportation Company, Mannheim, Germany.
Heavy. 532d Military Intelligence Battalion, Seoul, Korea.
Active Army (Table of Distribution and Allowances)
Light. Ground Mobility Division, 1st Battalion, 81st Armor, Fort Knox, Kentucky.
Intermediate. Jungle Operations Training Battalion, Fort Sherman, Panama.
Heavy. 751st Military Intelligence Battalion, Camp Humphries, Korea.
Army National Guard (MTOE)
Light. 1031st Engineer Company, Gate City, Virginia.
Intermediate. Company B (Maintenance), 429th Support Battalion, Richmond, Virginia.
Heavy. Company D, 109th Aviation Battalion, Johnson, Iowa.
Army Reserve (MTOE)
Light. 125th Transportation Company, Lexington, Kentucky.
Intermediate. Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 300th Support Group (Area), Fort Lee, Virginia.
Heavy. 371st Chemical Company (Smoke/Decontamination), Greenwood, South Carolina.
The Army is accepting new start candidates for the fiscal year (FY) 2000 Soldier Enhancement Program (SEP). The purpose of the SEP is to accelerate the acquisition of lighter, more lethal weapons and improved "soldier items of equipment" and get the new equipment in the hands of soldiers in 3 years or less.
Since 1990, the Army has actively sought common-sense solutions from soldiers to enhance their lethality, mobility, and survivability on the battlefield through the SEP. The SEP is not an incentive award program. No monetary awards will be given for proposals that are adopted for use and result in a cost savings to the Government.
SEP candidates must be items of equipment that are worn, carried, or consumed for individual use in a tactical environment. They must be commercially available (off the shelf, with little or no modification for field military use) and must satisfy operational needs or battlefield deficiencies.
Nine programs are expected to conclude in 1998. These are the stabilized binoculars; soldier intercom; the compression sack; the combat medic vest; the anti-reflection device; equipment belt extender; knee and elbow pads; ballistic shin guards; and ballistic/nonballistic face and body shields. These items should begin fielding in the next few months.
During the February 1998 annual SEP review, the executive council approved the following 13 programs as FY 1999 new starts: 40-millimeter (M203) improved munitions; M240 machinegun dismount kit; medium sniper rifle system; improved entrenching tool; stab-protective body armor; individual camouflage system; land mine probe; thermal camouflage face paint; improved pistol holster/harness for soldiers; cold weather fuel handler's gloves; tactical search/inspection mirrors; low cost absorbent/moisture transfer undershirts; and individual riot control agent neutralizer.
To request a form for use in submitting FY 2000 SEP proposals, write to the Army Training and Doctrine Command System Manager-Soldier, ATTN: ATZB-TS, Fort Benning, Georgia 31905-5000; call (706) 545-1189 (DSN 835-1189); or fax a request to (706) 545-1377 (DSN 835-1377).
ROBOTS TO PATROL WAREHOUSES
If initial tests are successful, the Army will be using robots to patrol storage areas by the year 2000. The mobile detection assessment response system (MDARS) robot can patrol a warehouse or other structure, take inventory with an on-board radio frequency (RF) interrogator, check for intruders, and detect environmental threats such as fire, water main leaks, and chemical spills.
Development of the MDARS robot was a joint service and industry effort. It is being tested at the Defense Distribution Depot Anniston, Alabama, before the advanced structure design and software interfaces are selected and developed.
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As it patrols a warehouse at Anniston Army Depot, the MDARS robot reads RF tags that are affixed to items in storage. |
The robot can conduct continuous surveillance along one of several pre-established paths, steer itself to stay on the path and avoid obstacles, and inventory specified items as it moves through a storage area. The robot's built-in RF interrogator scans RF tags affixed to items in storage and sends the information to a collection point for appropriate action.
The MDARS robot reduces the need for safety and inventory control personnel and can help prevent losses of high-dollar or controlled items. Other benefits anticipated with the use of the robots include improved inventory control, reduced risk to security personnel, and quick detection of intruders, fire, and toxic spills. Future plans include linking the MDARS RF-based product assessment system to other depot systems, such as the Distribution Standard System (DSS).
For more information, call Jerry Edwards, Office of the Product Manager for Physical Security Equipment, Army Materiel Command, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, at (703) 704-2412 or DSN 654-2412, or send e-mail to jedwards @belvoir.army.mil.
The winners of the 1998 Supply Excellence Awards presented by the Army Chief of Staff are—
Active Army
Company With Property Book. 56th Army Band, Fort Lewis, Washington.
Company Without Property Book. 534th Military Police Company, Fort Clayton, Panama.
Battalion With Property Book. 28th Transportation Battalion, Mannheim, Germany.
Battalion Without Property Book. 112th Signal Battalion, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
TDA Upper Level. United Nations Security Force, Joint Security Area, Panmunjom, Korea.
TDA Lower Level. A Company, 35th Engineer Battalion, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
Supply Support Activity Small. 3d Maintenance Company, 1st Battalion, 43d Air Defense Artillery Regiment, Suwon, Korea.
Supply Support Activity Medium. 80th Area Support Group, Chievres, Belgium.
Supply Support Activity Large. D Company, 701st Main Support Battalion, 1st Infantry Division (Mechanized), Kitzingen, Germany.
Army National Guard
Company With Property Book. Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 30th Engineer Brigade, Charlotte, North Carolina.
Company Without Property Book. 43d Army Band, Lincoln, Nebraska.
Battalion With Property Book. 109th Medical Battalion, Iowa City, Iowa.
Battalion Without Property Book. 1st Armored Battalion, 632d Armored Regiment, Wausau, Wisconsin.
TDA Upper Level. Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, State Area Command, Jackson, Mississippi.
TDA Lower Level. 90th Troop Command, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Supply Support Activity Small. U.S. Property and Fiscal Office-West Virginia, Buckhannon, West Virginia.
Army Reserve
Company With Property Book. 425th Transportation Company, Salina, Kansas.
Company Without Property Book. Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 300th Support Group, Fort Lee, Virginia.
Battalion With Property Book. 325th Field Hospital, Independence, Missouri.
Battalion Without Property Book. 12th Psychological Operations Battalion, Moffett Field, California.
TDA Upper Level. 1395th Transportation Terminal Brigade, Seattle, Washington.
The annual conference of the Council of Logistics Management will be held 11 to 14 October at the Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, California. This year's conference theme is "Logistics Excellence: Vision, Processes, and People."
Registration information will be mailed to council members. Nonmembers who would like to receive registration information should fax their request to (630) 574-0989, e-mail a request to clmadmin@clm1.org, or write to Conference Registrar, Council of Logistics Management, 2805 Butterfield Road #200, Oak Brook, Illinois 60523. The Council's website, www.clm1.org, contains current conference information.
