FORT LEE, Va. (Dec. 7, 2021) – The U.S. Army Combined Arms Support Command conducted an Expeditionary/Theater Sustainment Command Forum Dec. 2 at the Army Logistics University.
Maj. Gen. Mark T. Simerly, CASCOM and Fort Lee commanding general, provided opening remarks for the daylong event in which more than 160 commanders, command sergeants major, brigade commanders and civilians participated both virtually and in-person.
“We look forward to sharing what we’re thinking about the future of Army sustainment,” Simerly told the assembly in his opening remarks. “… and more importantly, we look forward to getting your views of what you’re seeing in the field and what we need to do to set the force to sustainment military operation and largescale combat operation in a Multi-Domain environment. Common visualization of strategic and operational sustainment for the waypoint force as well as an understanding of how the Army Force Sustainment Modernization Strategy will help move us there.”
Regularly conducting “white board sessions” to develop and refine comprehensive strategies for sustainment has been a point of emphasis by the Army’s senior logistician, Gen. Ed Daly commanding general of Army Materiel Command, as well as Headquarters Department of the Army, G-4 officials and senior CASCOM staff. The ESC/TSC Forum provided an opportunity for senior leaders to translate to the field what is being done to solicit input and feedback, and discuss the future of sustainment and modernization.
“The Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Army make it clear that our priorities are people, readiness and modernization,” Daly pointed out to forum attendees. “This is the largest transformation for our Army in the last 40 years … sustainment transformation and modernization. It really spans not just the tactical and operational level, but the strategic level as well. We want to make sure that sustainment warfighting function capabilities and sustainment as an enabler stays on pace and on par with modernization across the Army.”
The forum would intentionally “go beyond institutional training,” Daly further emphasized. “It’s leader development. We have to continue to develop so that we can train, educate and coach all those who are in our footprint. What sustainment looks like now is not what sustainment warfighting function capabilities and doctrine will look like in five-to-seven years.”
During the forum, CASCOM proponent leaders highlighted how the command is building the force through Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership, Personnel, Facilities and Policy, Enterprise Business Systems – Convergence, and professional military education. Other topics covered the operational fight, strategic sustainment, sustainment modernization strategy and the operational sustainment strategic fight.
Various exhibits were on display showing how CASCOM is supporting the modernization strategy. One included an Army Culinary Outpost, the mobile truck platform that provides nutritionally balanced options to Soldiers where they work, train and live. Also on display was the updated Army Sustainment Resource Portal, formerly known as Sustainment Unit One Stop. The portal is managed by CASCOM and provides consolidated access to Army sustainment resources – inclusive of training, doctrine and lessons learned.
Lt. Gen. Donnie Walker, deputy commanding general of U.S. Army Materiel Command, offered his thoughts during the final portion of the forum.
“The sustainment enterprise is well-nested in where the Army is headed.” Walker confirmed. “It’s because of a lot of great work all of you provide. Everything we talked about today is in line with people, modernization and readiness – the chief and the secretary’s priorities.”
Lt. Gen. Duane Gamble, deputy chief of staff, G-4, closed with an uplifting vote of confidence for the attendees. “The Army is in great hands with you as our senior logistics leaders at echelon,” he said. “This is an absolutely strong cohort of general officers, senior civilians and senior colonels who will lead us into the future.”
The forum is among multiple sustainment engagements held quarterly throughout the year. Others include the spring and fall Army Sustainment Leader Summits, the Sustainment Warrant Officer Forum, the Division Command Sergeants Major Sustainment Session, Sustainment Week and more.
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