thedrifter
04-27-09, 06:17 AM
From A to B: Logistic Marines get units to the fight
4/24/2009 By Cpl. David A. Weikle , II MEF
MARINE COPRS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — America’s finest men and women use one of the world’s most advanced logistics systems to move a unit from Camp Lejeune to points halfway across the world.
When the Marines and sailors throughout II Marine Expeditionary Force prepare to deploy, they turn to 2nd Marine Logistics Group.
“Once we determine that we can support the combat commanders who are forward, we determine which units are available for rotation,” explained Capt. Timian M. Lewis, a force deployment execution and planning officer with 2nd Marine Logistics Group. “We operate on the concept of ‘3 to make 1’. That means that while one unit is deployed, another is preparing to take its place and third unit is in a dwell period, to help meet 1-to-2 goal of 2 months of dwell time for every month deployed.”
Lewis said to get units from their point of origin to their destination, Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Planners use the Time Phased Force Deployment Data System (TPFDDS) available to Marines through the Joint Operations Planning and Execution System (JOPES). JOPES is used by all four services to move troops around the globe as quickly and efficiently as possible. TPFDD enables Marines to move a unit from their point of origin to their destination in less than one week.
Lewis said the complicated process used by Marines exceeds what other services use and allows Marines to lead the way in military transportation logistics. Another way Marines are able to distinguish themselves from their fellow service members is the dedication the Corps has to producing a well-oiled logistics machine.
“We are the only service with a dedicated [military occupational specialty],” explained Gunnery Sgt. Sherry Rubeck, speaking of MAGTF Planners, which she credits with the success of the Corps’ logistics system. “It’s the biggest reason we are so successful. We mentor our younger Marines to be out-of-the-box thinkers early on.”
Rubeck, a force deployment execution and planning chief who has spent the last 19 years serving the Corps, said TPFDDS allows Marines to track dates of movements for individual units, like an itinerary. This approach to military transportation logistics shines as units deploy.
“The Marine Corps as a whole does a lot of pre-checks and we work out a lot of the issues before hand,” explained Rubeck, a Franklinville, N.Y., native. “The other services work out their issues on the ground. When our units show up, they’re about 95 percent ready. That’s a big difference.”
Lewis said the mission of service members using JOPES and TPFDDS is simple.
“It’s about getting the warfighter what he needs, where he needs it, when he needs it.”
Ellie
4/24/2009 By Cpl. David A. Weikle , II MEF
MARINE COPRS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — America’s finest men and women use one of the world’s most advanced logistics systems to move a unit from Camp Lejeune to points halfway across the world.
When the Marines and sailors throughout II Marine Expeditionary Force prepare to deploy, they turn to 2nd Marine Logistics Group.
“Once we determine that we can support the combat commanders who are forward, we determine which units are available for rotation,” explained Capt. Timian M. Lewis, a force deployment execution and planning officer with 2nd Marine Logistics Group. “We operate on the concept of ‘3 to make 1’. That means that while one unit is deployed, another is preparing to take its place and third unit is in a dwell period, to help meet 1-to-2 goal of 2 months of dwell time for every month deployed.”
Lewis said to get units from their point of origin to their destination, Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Planners use the Time Phased Force Deployment Data System (TPFDDS) available to Marines through the Joint Operations Planning and Execution System (JOPES). JOPES is used by all four services to move troops around the globe as quickly and efficiently as possible. TPFDD enables Marines to move a unit from their point of origin to their destination in less than one week.
Lewis said the complicated process used by Marines exceeds what other services use and allows Marines to lead the way in military transportation logistics. Another way Marines are able to distinguish themselves from their fellow service members is the dedication the Corps has to producing a well-oiled logistics machine.
“We are the only service with a dedicated [military occupational specialty],” explained Gunnery Sgt. Sherry Rubeck, speaking of MAGTF Planners, which she credits with the success of the Corps’ logistics system. “It’s the biggest reason we are so successful. We mentor our younger Marines to be out-of-the-box thinkers early on.”
Rubeck, a force deployment execution and planning chief who has spent the last 19 years serving the Corps, said TPFDDS allows Marines to track dates of movements for individual units, like an itinerary. This approach to military transportation logistics shines as units deploy.
“The Marine Corps as a whole does a lot of pre-checks and we work out a lot of the issues before hand,” explained Rubeck, a Franklinville, N.Y., native. “The other services work out their issues on the ground. When our units show up, they’re about 95 percent ready. That’s a big difference.”
Lewis said the mission of service members using JOPES and TPFDDS is simple.
“It’s about getting the warfighter what he needs, where he needs it, when he needs it.”
Ellie