Europe District team sets standard for USACE logistics programs

By Ms Rachel V Goodspeed (USACE)June 3, 2011

Europe District team sets standard for USACE logistics programs
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WIESBADEN, Germany - With the receipt of the highest rating for innovation and initiative from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials, the Europe District Logistics Management Office is setting the standard for logistics operations across USACE.

The Command Logistics Review Team from the USACE Directorate of Logistics completed an assessment and assistance visit at the district’s headquarters in the Amelia Earhart Center May 23 to 27 to ensure logistics personnel are following regulations and doing those things that ensure customers are being well taken care of, said Dale Free, Europe District’s logistics management chief.

“The CLRT validates processes and provide expertise in those areas we may need assistance. The visit also gives us face-to-face contact with the people who champion our efforts at higher headquarters,” he said. “They did an incredible job. Not only did we walk away with a few ways to improve our office, they walked away with a few ideas to improve other offices.”

Those operational improvements for the Europe District include utilizing a durable management module, incorporating operating licensing and training, and ensuring hazardous materials are properly stored and disposed of.

Meanwhile, the CLRT gave numerous accolades to the logistics team for their “incredible time and cost-saving efforts” and “model functional support for all other USACE elements to follow,” according to Charles Stephens, CLRT member and logistics management specialist.

“The [Europe District’s] logistics office proved to set a standard as a model organization,” he said. “In particular, the [U.S. Army Europe Command Logistics Review Program] is a logistics program that may be used at all levels to attain, sustain and manage logistics and material readiness with an ultimate goal to support USACE in the transition ‘from good to great.’”

The CLRT also singled out the district’s innovative and effective use of the Automated Personal Property Management System and thorough records management program.

“A huge thank you to the entire [logistics] team for all their hard work and a special thanks to our [Information Management] team for their support and assisting us in becoming better every day,” Free said.

“Standardization is key,” Stephens said. “Great ideas are identified, along with all findings and recommendations, and documented for tracking and continuous process improvement purposes.”

The assessment and assistance visit is the first to the Europe District and one of several command logistic reviews on USACE districts. Like other USACE districts, the district’s logistics programs include facility management, supply support and transportation administration to its more than 450 USACE employees.

Additionally, the LM team manages some unique programs in 35 offices across 20 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, including official travel, property book supervision, contingency supply to the Afghanistan Engineer Districts and housing management of the U.S. housing community in Mainz-Finther, which accommodates employees from USACE and the Army Air Force Exchange Services.

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