Army Materiel Command's Leader Visits Orlando, Shares Thoughts on Future Challenges

By Rick Gregory, PEO STRI Strategic Communications Support StaffAugust 28, 2015

Gen. Via toured the Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation training aids, devices, simulators and simulations.
During his visit to Orlando's Research Park, Gen. Via toured the Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation training aids, devices, simulators and simulations. David Brunat discussed the modernization of the Multiple Integr... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

ORLANDO, Fla. -- The commanding general of the U.S. Army Materiel Command, Gen. Dennis L. Via, visited U.S. Army units located in Orlando's Research Park on Aug. 27 to get updated on their specific missions and current challenges and to learn how AMC can improve support to them.

The general oversees a 65,000-person workforce in the command that is the U.S. Army's premier provider of materiel readiness. Their motto sums it up: "If a Soldier shoots it, drives it, flies it, wears it, communicates with it, or eats it, AMC produces and provides it."

Via's daylong visit included briefings by Maj. Gen. Jon Maddux, program executive officer, and his team at the Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation as well as leaders from two units within the AMC command structure, Army Contracting Command-Orlando and the U.S. Army Simulation and Training Technology Center.

He also had an opportunity for hands-on demonstrations on some of the most current training aids, devices, simulators and simulations being fielded to Soldiers around the globe. They included medical simulations, Games for Training, aerial targets and the Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System, among others.

During the morning briefings held at PEO STRI's headquarters, Via shared his thoughts on the challenges the total Army faces, especially with the ongoing reduction in funds and troop strength brought about by the ongoing sequestration.

"Sequestration dominates the conversation wherever I go," Via said. "Everyone is experiencing the challenges created by having more requirements than we have funding or people."

He said the reality is that leaders throughout the Army have to prioritize what needs to be done and optimize with the resources they have to accomplish the mission.

"We have to focus on our core missions to weather this storm and make the right decisions and investments that ensure they translate to the kind of Army we will have 10, 20 or 30 years down the road," Via said.

Via also shared his concerns about the Army being able to meet the needs of the Soldiers in a current process that often lags years behind the quickly evolving technology in today's world.

"We must change our processes to keep up with technology," Via said. "We can't take six years to go through the process and then, sometimes, not field anything. Our Soldiers don't understand why it takes so long to get them what they need."

One way Via suggested for speeding up the processing time is by not trying to reach perfection each time.

"We don't always have to wait until we have the perfect solution so every Soldier can have it," Via said. "Sometimes we can develop the products for a small group to get it in their hands more quickly and then upgrade it as we go forward."