New net-centric service revolutionizes Army readiness reporting

By Erin Buechel WieczorekJanuary 29, 2008

Fort Monmouth, N.J. -- The Army is testing a new web-based service intended to provide a clear and consistent picture of Army unit readiness by improving information collaboration across command levels, military branches and government agencies.

The Net Enabled Command Capability Army Readiness Capability Pilot, a webservice pilot, provides the information necessary to match missions with the war-fighters and units most properly trained and equipped to succeed.

Readiness reporting is more important than ever as the need for rapid response and rapid deployment across the globe has grown as Army missions have diversified. In combat missions, stability and support operations and disaster response, success relies on matching Soldiers, training and the right equipment to mission needs. The NECC Army Readiness Reporting Pilot provides the information sharing capabilities to meet these mission needs.

"We concentrate our efforts to deliver high quality capability, reduce system complexity and cost, enhance performance, and incorporate new initiatives for Soldiers and leaders now," said project manager for Battle Command, Col. David Moore.

Based on the Defense Readiness Reporting System - Army reporting tool, the webservice pilot provides the framework necessary to identify unit readiness status across Army command levels, the Department of Defense, and eventually, across agencies.

Readiness data is reported through the levels of Army command using DRRS-A. The webservice pilot enables the Office of the Secretary of Defense to access Army Net-Centric Unit Status Reporting data electronically and code the schemas to match its own, limiting the loss of information due to database incompatibilities. The program will speed up the process, increase accessibility and ensure seamless information sharing between Headquarters, Department of the Army and OSD.

The webservice pilot also meets one of the requirements for NECC migration: that readiness data be accessible to key personnel. "Establishing this level of visibility is a significant step in meeting the goal of information sharing across strategic levels of communications," said product manager for Strategic Battle Command, Lt. Col. Kevin Leonard.

"We have been working to provide soldiers and commanders with an integrated capability now, while simultaneously migrating to the future," said Leonard. "DRRS-A has enabled us to provide the warfighting force and command-level decision makers with a tool that is much more accurate, user friendly and efficient."

The product manager's office for SBC, formerly product manager Global Command and Control Systems - Army is coordinating the pilot program.