As the featured command at this year's Association of the United States Army's Global Force Symposium and Exposition, the U.S. Army Materiel Command's top leader explained the organization's role in the service's top priority -- readiness.
AMC Commander Gen. Dennis L. Via opened the three-day event March 15, noting that a Soldier's basic tasks to shoot, move and communicate all require readiness.
"At the Army Materiel Command, readiness is why we exist," Via said, stressing that readiness remains the top priority even while the organization restructures and aligns its global responsibilities in the face of force reductions and declining resources.
Via said one of the ways the command is enabling readiness is by optimizing Army Prepositioned Stocks and building theater Activity Sets. The assets, which include armor, artillery and supplies, are strategically located and troop-ready.
The European Activity Set, the first of its kind to be built in theater, recently transitioned from a battalion-sized set to a brigade-sized set with tanks, Bradley Fighting Vehicles, towed artillery and more.
"The EAS is one of eight equipment sets that will be established around the world over the next few years," Via said. The sets allow regionally aligned forces and partner nations to participate in multinational training and respond to contingencies with increased effectiveness on decreased timelines.
Via highlighted the command's work around the world, from reestablished logistics capabilities in Iraq to shifting support in the Pacific.
Via also emphasized the Army's Organic Industrial Base, which he often refers to as a National Security Readiness Insurance Policy that's always there when needed. Without the OIB, Via noted, it wouldn't have been possible to deliver the 5,000 tons of munitions recently sent to Europe on short notice.
The command's research and development initiatives are also supporting readiness.
"Our scientists and engineers are busy working in state-of-the-art facilities and laboratories and partnering with academia and industry to help empower, unburden, protect and sustain our Soldiers on the battlefields of today and tomorrow," Via said.
From 3-D printed food to unmanned vehicles and nanotechnology, Via described projects that once seemed unimaginable, and many that are on display at the AUSA exhibition.
"AMC is busy conducting the basic cutting-edge research today that will yield the yet unforeseen innovations for the Army of 2030 and 2040," Via said. "Our scientists and engineers are constantly bridging the gap between the state of the art and the art of the possible."
Via also revealed a new app that will be available to Soldiers in June. PS Magazine, which has been synonymous with Army maintenance for 65 years, is going digital. The app will deliver maintenance messages the way today's Soldiers choose to receive their information.
With the recent release of the Army's next budget, Via explained the delicate balance that must be struck when considering modernization, end strength and readiness.
"We can help ourselves by finding ways to save money," he said.
Via called for continued use of Better Buying Power initiatives, workforce training and communication and process improvements.
After showcasing AMC's successes and challenges, Via saluted the workforce, recognizing that Army officers, Soldiers and civilians had done the heavy lifting over 15 years of war.
"Our Army could not accomplish its mission without these tremendous patriots," he said.
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