"Back to Basics” conference covers broad array of logistics issues

By Larry Stevens, FORSCOM Public Affairs OfficeJune 10, 2011

“Back to Basics” conference covers broad array of logistics issues
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT BRAGG, N.C. (June 9, 2011) – Maj. Gen. Raymond Mason, the Army Forces Command deputy chief of staff for logistics, reminded attendees of the three-day FORSCOM G-4 “Back to Basics” Conference of what Lt. Gen. Mitchell H. Stevenson, the Department... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
“Back to Basics” conference covers broad array of logistics issues
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT BRAGG, N.C. (June 9, 2011) – Maj. Gen. Raymond Mason, the Army Forces Command deputy chief of staff for logistics, makes concluding remarks at the three-day FORSCOM G-4 “Back to Basics” Conference, which included large forum discussions, present... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
“Back to Basics” conference covers broad array of logistics issues
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT BRAGG, N.C. (June 9, 2011) – At the conclusion of the FORSCOM G-4 “Back to Basics” Conference, Maj. Gen. Raymond V. Mason presents a certificate of appreciation to Lt. Col. Gavin A. Lawrence of the FORSCOM G-4 staff for his part in making the co... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (June 9, 2011) -- “We are facing a lot of challenges. That’s the world you and I live in every day. It always seems we’ve got the requirements but we haven’t got the resources. But it’s our job to solve the really tough problems, and that involves the people in this room.”

With that observation, Maj. Gen. Raymond V. Mason, the Army Forces Command deputy chief of staff for logistics, wrapped up the FORSCOM G-4 “Back to Basics” Conference today in Fayetteville, N.C.

The three-day conference consisted of large forum discussions, presentations and breakout sessions covering a wide spectrum of issues important to leaders responsible for sustaining the Army now and in the future: logistics automation tools, improving equipment readiness and reporting, materiel management, Army equipping strategy, theater sustainment, serviceable returns and improving supply support.

Lt. Gen. Mitchell H. Stevenson, the Department of the Army deputy chief of staff for logistics, provided an Army-wide overview.

The attendees also heard in-theater experiences and lessons learned from the 1st Theater Sustainment Command and the 3rd Infantry Division.

Other updates presented during the conference included the Army Force Generation (ARFORGEN) process, the Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier -- the Army acquisition agency responsible for everything a Soldier wears or carries -- and various initiatives underway such as contracting reduction and a unit maintained equipment pilot.

At the end of the conference, Mason expressed his appreciation for the broad representation of leadership who attended from FORSCOM and its subordinate corps, divisions, mission support element G-4’s, as well as the Department of the Army, Army Sustainment Command and sustainment units.

“You gave us a lot of different, useful viewpoints that made this conference of value and, I hope, gave you what you need,” he said.

Mason also went over tasks developed from attendee input that he and his FORSCOM G-4 staff will now take the lead on moving forward.

U.S. Army Forces Command is the Army's largest command and the generating force provider for combatant commanders worldwide.