AMCOM delivering on plans for improvement

By Gina BaltruschDecember 20, 2019

AMCOM provides updates to AMC's Commanding General
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

REDSTONE ARESENAL, Ala. - Army Aviation and Missile Command leaders highlighted aviation readiness, supply availability, maintenance times and human capital development during a Dec. 18 update for Army Materiel Command's Gen. Gus Perna.

AMCOM Commander Maj. Gen. Todd Royar applauded AMC and AMCOM's efforts to overcome the budget challenges caused by the current continuing resolution.

"Continuing resolutions hit the depots hard in regard to their budgets, which ultimately affected readiness. The timeline for recapitalization on some of our systems is now months behind schedule," Royar noted. "AMC is assisting with finding the funding to regain some slippage and get back on track."

Throughout the update, AMCOM leaders noted continued improvements in many program areas, particularly in reducing maintenance time for aircraft and improved data quality to more accurately forecast supply availability. These improvements ultimately increase readiness for Soldiers in the field.

AMCOM Logistics Center Director Don Nitti explained how expanding supply-availability evaluation criteria is improving data accuracy and reducing back-order rates. He also noted supply availability has increased three straight quarters in a row."

"[Maj. Gen.] Royar challenged us to take action and be proactive, instead of reacting to challenges," Nitti said. "We're now tracking more than 60 readiness drivers, allowing us to better anticipate supply needs and meet the target of having at least three months of adequate stock on hand." A readiness driver is a critical repair part that will deadline a system and is essential for equipment operation.

Balancing supply availability against unnecessary excess is a "huge art and science issue," Perna noted.

"We can't afford to have a big safety net with a lot of parts on the shelf. We have to keep things moving and have the parts to send out in a timely manner to the units to make repairs. AMC is here to enable the workforce and support them to achieve the desired output."

In order to empower the AMCOM workforce, Tanya Allbritten, AMCOM Human Resources' chief of training and career management, introduced a new Employee Lifecycle Framework for employee development and leadership training.

"The program will address several needs for today's civilian workforce experience and education," she said. "We now have a lot of people in our workforce who have never served in the military and may not have anyone in their family who has served in the military. So, we want to connect them to the Soldiers. Our initial focus will be on the Organic Industrial Base -- AMCOM's depots."

Allbritten said it is important for employees to understand the depots' culture and mission in order to see the critical role they play in providing warfighter capabilities and readiness.

The Employee Lifecycle Framework includes "Army Greening," developmental assignments, leadership education opportunities and other training that will help employees grow in their Army civilian careers from the day they walk in the door through retirement, Allbritten said.

Perna thanked Royar and the AMCOM briefers for the update, lauding the command's efforts.

"Clearly AMCOM is making steady progress on gaining efficiencies across all of its programs," he said. "What I most appreciate is the accountability demonstrated and the continued commitment to improve readiness at the point of need throughout our Army."