OCSJX-15 scenario execution phase begins

By Staff Sgt. Veronica Montes, OCSJX-15 Public Affairs CellMarch 25, 2015

The Scenario Execution Phase of OCSJX-15 Begins
The scenario execution phase of OCSJX-15 started today and participants hit the ground running. (From right to left) U.S. Army Capt. Adam Shevock, a contracting specialist from U.S. Army Garrison-Detroit Arsenal, Air Force Tech. Sgt. Russell Davis, a... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT BLISS, Texas - Operational Contract Support Joint Exercise 2015 scenario execution phase began here March 24 and will continue through March 29.

The exercise scenario focuses on training the workforce in OCS planning, execution and management.

"We have spent two weeks building the team during the first two phases of training, preparing them for anything we throw at them," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Louis Orndorff, OCSJX-15 Officer in Charge and Air Force District of Washington Headquarters deputy director of contracting. "What I expect from the execution phase is to test how all of their training comes together."

There are three pillars that will be exercised during the scenario execution: contract support integration and planning, contracting support and contractor management.

According to Joint Publication 4-10, the first pillar is the coordination and synchronization of contracted support executed in a designated operational area in support of the joint force. The second is coordination of contingency contracts and the execution of contracting authority to legally bind commercial entities in support of Department of Defense operational requirements. The third is the oversight and integration of contractor personnel and associated equipment providing support to the joint force in a designated operational area.

During military operations, OCS requires an integrated approach. This exercise gives all involved an opportunity to solve problems in an exercise environment, so when all the functions deploy together, they know what the right answers look like, said Orndorff.

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Michael Hoskin, U.S. Army Expeditionary Contracting Command commander, spoke to the importance of each function in OCS and how crucial it is to integrate them during training and down range. The general said this exercise is an opportunity for all to work with other functions, civilians and other military branches, and learn from each other.

"Look to your left and right, get to know a person that is wearing a uniform different from your own, because in some cases you could become lifelong friends and be able to lean on each other in the future," Hoskin said. "When we bring the different services together we can capitalize on each other's strengths and mitigate weaknesses. "

Hoskin said participants will be writing manual paper contracts during the scenario execution, which is something that is not practiced regularly. He is hoping to see success in this particular training.

The exercise began here March 11 with Warrior Task Training followed by four days of Academics. The scenario execution phase will last five days and conclude the Fort Bliss portion of OCSJX-15.