CAMP RED CLOUD, South Korea - War is difficult business. It takes ingenuity, creativity and drive to win. That is exactly what 2nd Infantry Division logisticians are using to combat the elusive enemy of excess equipment and parts within the division, draining needless funds from training and operations.

To help fight this war on excess, the Division logistics staff created the Excess Consolidation Point. With wires, mechanical parts and boxes as far as the eye can see, it looks more like the 70s sitcom Sanford and Son's junkyard than a supply room. But, what looks like chaos is really a weapon against waste.

The ECP, which is located on Camp Hovey, is a central location where units within the Division can bring their serviceable excess tool sets (Class II) and repair parts (Class IX) so that they can be re-distributed to other units in need of those particular items.

"The commanding general saw the need to create a consolidation point because a lot of excess Class IX was just put off to the side instead of in the proper supply channel to the supply support activity. He saw the need of just having one point where the Division could put these items and re-distribute it from there," said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Reynaldo Nunez, the 2nd ID supplies and services technician.

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n March, nine Soldiers began turning an empty motor pool on Camp Hovey into the home for the ECP.

"This was an empty motor pool. We began going around post and finding empty bins, shelves, cabinets and putting them into locations to make space for the items that were going to be brought in. We even began building some of the shelves ourselves," said Sgt. Robin Houle, the noncommissioned officer in charge of the ECP.

Shortly after opening, units began bringing in their excess equipment.

Once units make an appointment and bring in their excess items, the ECP staff identifies the equipment by stock number and nomenclature. Once the item is cross-referenced and properly labeled, it is stored in its appropriate location in the ECP. The item's stock number, nomenclature and quantity available is listed on a spreadsheet which is later sent to unit maintenance officers and noncommissioned officers and other key leaders so they can see if a part they need is available at the ECP instead of unnecessarily spending money to order it.

As a rule, the ECP only collects serviceable Class II and Class IX items that are not listed as sensitive items. When equipment is turned in, it undergoes a thorough technical inspection.

"If we find that a part doesn't function properly, we give it back to the units to be turned in to their supporting SSA as unserviceable. We only accept serviceable parts," Houle assured.

The procedure to obtain a part from the ECP is as simple as the turn-in procedure.

"Once customers identify what is needed, they come in with the stock number and nomenclature and quantity that they need of that particular item. The ECP personnel just pull it off the shelf and give it to them right on the spot, if they are located on Casey or Hovey. They don't get charged or anything. If a unit from a different installation, for example 2nd CAB on Camp Humphreys, requires a part and it is small enough to be sent through the postal service, we will send it to them. Otherwise we make arrangements with transportation within 48-72 hours," Nunez explained.

The ECP has proven to be beneficial in more ways than one.

"The SSA sometimes only accepts a certain amount of items. At the ECP, once customers make the appointment, they have the liberty to turn in a lot of Class IX items they would otherwise have to wait to turn in," Nunez said.

Instituting the ECP allowed units in the Division to identify more than $1.5 million worth of excess equipment so far. The Division has also saved more than $260,000 by re-distributing excess items instead of giving away money by re-ordering parts that were already on hand.

To contact the ECP, call DSN 730-5038 or go to Building S-3468 on Camp Hovey Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.