1st Sustainment Brigade takes BRO-MRT reins

Units needing to turn in excess equipment or request equipment shortages can now come to one place to support their needs. The Fort Riley Big Red One Material Redistribution Team has saved units more than $12 million in the past two years by collecting excess property and issuing it to units without the need to spend additional money.

This month marks the transfer of operational control from the U.S. Army Forces Command Material Redistribution Team to Soldiers from the 1st Maintenance Company, 541st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 1st Sustainment Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. With the transfer complete, Fort Riley's BRO-MRT continues to serve units saving the Army millions of dollars each year.

Fort Riley's BRO-MRT is one of five operational facilities transferred from the 13 FORSCOM Material Redistribution Team facilities across Army installations in the United States. Commonly referred to as "free issue yards," these facilities keep the Army from purchasing parts already in its inventory, which has the benefit of saving millions of dollars every year.

The program was set up by FORSCOM and was intended to recover excess supplies and property though Operation Victory Sweep, a postwide operation to find and collect excess property. The program held the excess items to give units needing items to order without spending additional money.

Chief Warrant Officer Thomas Mann, a 1st Sust. Bde. supply system technician, said transition began back at the beginning of December with "Durable" Soldiers working closely alongside FORSCOM contractors.

"The 1st Inf. Div. wanted this product to keep going," Mann said. "I encourage Soldiers to use it … whether it is to fill change of command shortages or if you have excess serviceable items to turn in."

During the past few months, 1st Sust. Bde. Soldiers have taken on the enormous job of transitioning to the new operations. Sgt. 1st Class Rhonda Harris, BRO-MRT noncommissioned officer in charge, said her Soldiers have put in extra hours to get the BRO-MRT up and operational.

"The Soldiers have done an amazing job," she said. "They never complained and worked hard. They are proud of their accomplishments and to be a part of BRO-MRT."

Harris said operations now are suited to meet the needs of the Army?'s overall mission to meet the needs of customer.

Chief Warrant Officer Mandi Rimmer, BRO-MRT officer in charge, said there has been a drastic improvement in customer service since the transition.

"We are trying to make it easy for the customer," she said. "Easy issue, easy turn in."

Providing customer service has kept the BRO-MRT team busy. Units with shortages can send an email requesting parts and BRO-MRT will contact them once it is packed and ready, Harris said.

"One thing units should keep in mind is the BRO-MRT is operated on a first-come, first-served basis," said Staff Sgt. Wilfred Barclay, BRO-MRT material management supervisor. "This is Fort Riley's Wal-Mart, one customer cleared almost $30,000 worth of hand-receipt shortages."

Fort Riley's BRO-MRT is located at Building 8320 and operates 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and Friday; and 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday. A complete list of on-hand items can be found on the Sustainment Operations Center Dashboard or at https://guardianx.forscom.army.mil/WDSE/NewLogin.aspx

The customer units need to have a signature card and assumption--of-command orders before using BRO-MRT.

The BRO-MRT is also available to units off Fort Riley, including National Guard and Army Reserve if they handle the shipping costs.