FORT SILL, Okla. -- The Directorate of Logistics is officially changing its name Oct. 1 to Logistics Readiness Center Fort Sill, but Director Karen Jordan said their services will remain the same.
"We hope our customers didn't feel any change to the services we provide. Most of the change was where we get our money; where we get our guidance and direction; where we get our priorities established. So hopefully, except for sequestration and furlough, our customers didn't notice a change in the services that DoL provided," said Jordan.
The transition to LRC has been a yearlong process as the directorate moved from under Installation Management Command to the Army Materiel Command.
"It gives us a little more latitude. When we need to get help for a unit if they're deploying, or just training and need assistance, then we have a lot more touchback capability now rather than when we were under IMCOM," said Jordan.
DoL, or LRC has a part in every aspect of Fort Sill, from supplies to maintenance to travel.
"One of the previous commanding generals used to say the first person you see coming to Fort Sill will be someone from DoL and the last person you see will be from DoL."
The directorate has been busy during this transitional phase. Besides performing normal operations such as serving approximately 5.5 million meals a year to troops, they have been working several new projects.
One was the new Army Combat Uniform-Alternate being issued to Soldiers. The new uniform was originally considered the first female-only uniform, but was approved for both sexes. It offers wider areas at the hips, waist and backside; elastic around the waistband instead of a pull string; adjusted pockets and knee-pad inserts; and a shortened crotch length. The jackets have adjusted rank and nametape positioning; adjusted pockets and elbow-pad inserts; slimmer shoulders; a thinner and more fitted waist; and a longer and wider ACU coat bottom. Also, buttons are replacing the velcro pockets.
LRC is also acquiring a building to house a new Central Issue Facility. Right now Buildings 1901, 1902 and 1804 house the inventory. The new building will consolidate the three and also provide more space for Soldiers.
"Currently we have a very small area and the Soldiers have to stay outside because we don't have a place large enough to put them in the building because it's filled with inventory," said Jordan.
She said in the new facility there will be two sides: one for permanent party with chairs so Soldiers can comfortably wait and the other side will allow trainees to receive their briefing on the new gear.
"That provides more climate control for both winter and summer so they're not freezing outside in the winter, getting rained on outside or standing out in the blazing sun and facing potential heat injuries. So that new facility will assist greatly," said Jordan.
She said they plan to have it open before the end of the year.
The other major project in the works is a new Central Initial Issue Point in the 95th Adjutant General Complex. The one-stop shop will provide all inprocessing services for Soldiers such as dental, medical, hearing and eye exams, haircuts and clothing. Jordan said it will cut down on transportation costs of getting the trainees to various points on post for appointments. The complex is set to be running next summer.
"It's exciting for us. I think the new facilities will allow us to not only help our workforce, it will also allow us to have better conditions for the Soldiers coming through."
Jordan said despite the growing pains, she is pleased with how the LRC has moved forward, and she said the command support helped make that happen.
"Our working relationships were very well established and we all are working for the same purpose which is supporting the Soldiers, the families and the civilians here at Fort Sill. So I think we came together as a team to solve any issues that we had."
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