Command's realignment means increased support to customers

The Expeditionary Contracting Command is in the midst of realigning its forces to provide even better support to its internal and external customers.

With input from its customers and stakeholders, the realignment will posture the command for continued success. "We've taken great ideas and feedback from lots of individuals and organizations in order to craft this plan," said Brig. Gen. Joe Bass, ECC commanding general. "We think we're on the right track to further improve expeditionary contracting for our Army."

The realignment plan improves span of control, doctrinal alignment of subordinate units, operational support to forces, and integration within the Army Force Generation cycle of reset, train; ready; available for deployment

ECC's first objective is to improve the span of control and training opportunities for contingency contracting Soldiers, enlisted and officers. This builds on the current successful use of Mission and Installation Contracting Command installation contracting offices at various Army installations throughout the continental United States. These offices serve as day to day training grounds for contingency contracting Soldiers. By placing Soldiers with seasoned civilian contracting officers, the Soldiers gain a wealth of on the job training and help with the tremendous contracting workloads that the installation contracting officers handle. They are also placed in positions where they are mentored by experienced military contracting professionals.

The second objective, doctrinal realignment, will allow ECC to better serve the Army service component commands in theater and provides expanded support to the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, the U.S. Army Surface Deployment and Distribution Command and U.S. Forces Command.

The third objective is to posture contracting forces to provide seamless support to U.S. Forces-Korea as it transfers responsibilities to U.S. Army Pacific and improve the command and control of contracting resources as Eighth Army also transfers responsibilities to U.S. Army Pacific. Integrating contracting teams into the AFORGEN Cycle to mitigate potential impacts to contract operations is the final objective. This will preposition contracting teams with their customers in order to provide contracting support wherever and whenever needed.

"This realignment will allow us to better train our force and better support our customers," said Col. Paul Pardew, ECC chief of staff.