In 2017, the U.S. Army integrated a new program known as the Global Combat Support Service-Army. GCSS-A is a logistical and financial system that tracks supplies, spare parts and organizational equipment. The system also tracks unit maintenance, total cost of ownership and other financial transactions related to logistics for all U.S. Army units.
When fully deployed, GCSS-A has the ability to affect every supply room, motor pool, direct support repair shop, warehouse, Directorate of Logistics and property book office in the U.S. Army, improving efficiency and visibility for all users.
"Compared to [Standard Army Management Information Systems], GCSS-A has streamlined the maintenance process," said Sgt. Segi Lee, a shop office clerk responsible for making maintenance updates on GCSS-A for the Regimental Support Squadron, 2d Cavalry Regiment. "STAMIS was an offline system that led to latency in the reporting process. Since GCSS-A is a live system, all users have the ability to pull reports and make updates as soon as they get them."
The RSS, 2CR made a concerted effort to ensure Troop level leaders trained on the system in order to enable them in their role in maintenance. Specifically, all Troop platoon leaders, platoon sergeants and executive officers conducted the training.
The training was led by 2nd Lt. Dakota Burchfield, a former Maintenance Control Officer. He explained why it was important for junior leaders to learn how to operate the program.
"With any complex training, it is important that the leaders learn how the system works before they can pass the information down to their subordinates," explained Burchfield. "GCSS-A is an invaluable asset that allowed me to accurately depict [the] combat readiness of the Regimental Support Squadron."
Burchfield thought it would be beneficial for other leaders of the organization to have foundational knowledge about GCSS-A. He hopes other leaders can see how much of an asset the system can be. He recommends each Squadron in 2CR conduct training with junior leaders.
The training educated junior leaders on the mission critical GCSS-A reports and how to execute them. The mission critical reports are: Equipment Status Report, Service Schedule and Individual Equipment Data.
"Learning how to simplify the reports into a spreadsheet will help save me a lot of time in the future," said Staff Sgt. Michael Chapman, Ground Support Equipment Non-Commissioned Officer-in-Charge, RSS, 2CR. "I will also be able to communicate changes actively between all levels of the organization, creating more efficient work flow as a whole."
Training all leaders to be adept at working with GCSS-A helps the whole organization by creating shared understanding and ultimately meeting Mission Command's intent by empowering subordinates.
Written and Photo by 2nd Lt. Jonathan Astashinsky
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