Study looks at joint logistics

Military logisticians and commanders often must sort through a barrage of reports from deployed units at diverse locations to determine the mix of resources they need to sustain complex military operations. The job is hard enough at the major command or individual Service level, but when joint forces are involved in large-scale operations, it becomes a rigorous mental exercise that poses challenges for even the best and brightest logisticians and tacticians.

The U.S. Army Developmental Test Command (DTC), the developmental tester for the Army Test and Evaluation Command, is seeking to make the job easier by sponsoring a joint feasibility study for improving joint logistics planning processes. Called Joint Logistics Planning Enhancements (JLOG/PE), the study began in August 2001 and is scheduled to conclude in September 2002. It will result in a report to DOD's Deputy Director for Developmental Test and Evaluation. If given the green light by the deputy director, the JLOG/PE concept will be chartered as a 3- to 4-year joint test and evaluation program.

Elizabeth Murter, the Technical Director for the feasibility study, says that the study team will look at joint-level requirements to fight the battle or sustain troops in the field (what is needed, where it is needed, who has it, and how to get it). She describes JLOG/PE as not so much a set of information technologies, but business process enhancements that will improve the use of existing logistics systems and help joint-Service level logisticians and commanders get the best use of current, accurate information.

Murter adds that although new logistics information technology systems are being fielded, until now, there has been no comprehensive look at the logistics planning processes used by joint-force commanders. The team will look at reporting frequency, the accuracy and completeness of report information, and the actual fidelity of the information. This applies to all classes of supply, although JLOG/PE is initially focusing on munitions and fuel.

LTC Chris Jubok heads the feasibility study team, which includes DTC staff in addition to employees of Computer Sciences Corp. and SRS Technologies, two California-based companies that provide information technology services for government and private industry. Team participation from all military Services and Service commanders-in-chief will be sought if the program goes into testing.