Logistics: Finding the best way to solve vexing issues

By Christine Schweickert, Fort Jackson LeaderMay 1, 2015

The language of logistics flowed freely at Fort Jackson's first-ever sustainment forum, where more than 100 Soldiers and civilians discussed everything from making sure those in basic training have clean underwear to repairing their broken weapons.

Emphasis for the April 23 gathering at the Joe E. Mann Center was on best practices, although the floor also was open for complaints -- as long as those complaints led to suggestions for improvement.

"The level of professionalism (at Fort Jackson) is not what it should be," declared Sgt. 1st Class James Sowers of the 171st Infantry Brigade. Everyone on post should look himself in the mirror every day, Sowers said, to ask whether he or she is doing everything possible to make improvements.

And each logistician "should be one of the first people to show up in the morning and the last one to leave" in order to improve performance across post, he said.

Lt. Col. Sarah Small and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Emmaline Tallmore guided the morning's discussion and introduced those who manage departments that repair faulty heating and sewers, provide laundry service and dispense the right-size uniform or body armor.

Small stressed that the meeting was intended to "raise the level of sustainment efficiency and understanding on post." When comments leaned toward complaint, she asked those attending to think about possible solutions.

Representatives of the 171st, 165th and 193rd Infantry Brigades spoke on ways they had improved efficiency that including such efforts as the best way to track fuel keys to training for new personnel. Scattered applause and "hooahs" greeted the suggestions.

Then, for at least 20 minutes, Deputy Commanding Officer Col. Mark Shade took notes on Soldiers' complaints and suggestions, promising a personal response.

The day carried with it a potential for information overload -- how much each basic training soldier pays for laundry per cycle, how to maintain the tags on Soldier's uniforms -- information intended to help the NCOs and officers present help their Soldiers while helping offices on post improve their service.

"We're able to do that a whole lot better if you give us feedback," said David Monkowski of the Logistics Readiness Center.

Small said she hoped the forum would be the first of a series of semiannual briefings.

"This gives (logistics officers) the opportunity to talk to someone, not go through seven layers" to address their needs, she said.

She thought Sowers' remarks resonated especially strongly with the audience, showing them that it was their task to "learn to lead by example."