In February 2011, the Product Management Team of the Meteorological and Target Identification Capabilities (PdM MaTIC) office embarked on an ambitious plan to reduce the organization’s life–cycle logistics footprint for the Joint Combat Identification Marking System (JCIMS).
At the time, the Tank–Automotive and Armaments Life Cycle Management Command (TACOM LCMC) provided “long distance” support to PM MaTIC through its assigned cadre of Integrated Logistics Support personnel. In supporting the program, TACOM LCMC personnel ensured backorder requisitions were filled in support of field units and provided follow–on long term sustainment support. However, when the most recent Base Realignment and Closure initiative took effect, TACOM LCMC experienced significant personnel reductions which necessitated a realignment of JCIMS support.
In finding a solution PdM MaTIC turned to the Communications Electronics Command (CECOM) Life Cycle Management Command (LCMC) Logistics Readiness Center (LRC), who played a critical role in bridging the successful transition of the JCIMS program from TACOM in Warren, Michigan to their organization at Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), MD. The entire effort took approximately one year from start-to-finish and involved detailed coordination between the two commands in order to accomplish the final objective.
“For the PdM MaTIC Management Team, the logical and most fiscally responsible choice was CECOM LCMC at APG,” said Maj. Thomas Stocks, Assistant Product Manager JCIMS Programs. “The realignment provided the perfect opportunity to consolidate all logistics support functions through a co-located support structure between the PM MaTIC Program Office and CECOM LCMC. ” With the realignment, both organizations could join forces to collectively support Soldiers and expedite requisitions from a single cost center.
In August 2011, PdM MaTIC approached CECOM LCMC leadership for approval to begin the JCIMS transfer process. An Integrated Product Team (IPT) was formed dedicated to accomplishing the final objective; the successful transfer of sustainment responsibilities. After several Senior Executive Service level meetings, TACOM LCMC leadership agreed to relinquish sustainment control of the JCIMS program to CECOM LCMC. The successful transfer of the JCIMS program to CECOM required the support of multiple CECOM LCMC directors and divisions to include: Dave Sharman, Director of the Logistics and Readiness Center (LRC); Ron Durkel, Director IEWS LRC; Lee Straube, ILS Division Chief IEWS LRC and Kurt Schultz, Branch Chief ILS Division IEWS LRC.
When the transfer was approved, CECOM LCMC personnel immediately executed a seamless transition of 210 National Stock Numbers in the Logistics Modernization Program and addressed all “unfilled” backorder unit requisitions. “Due to the diligence and efforts of the CECOM LCMC, unit requisitions are now filled in a more timely and efficient manner thus providing the war fighter the absolute finest level of support,” said Stocks.
JCIMS consists of three components: Combat ID Panels (CIP), Thermal ID Panels (TIP) and Phoenix Infrared lights. This combination, which is fielded on U.S. ground force vehicles for both the Army and Marines Corps, provides friendly forces through the use of infrared and thermal optical technologies, a capability that helps to positively identify vehicles on the battlefield and reduce the risk of friendly fire upon their comrades.
The CECOM LCMC and PdM MaTIC team members whose diligence and tireless efforts were instrumental in the successful transition of the JCIMS Program include: Christopher Lukeman, ILS Lead; Stephanie Jones, Logistics Management Specialist; Jamaal Little, PBUSE POC; Rodney Poole, Supply Systems Analyst; Terry Layden, Logistics Reassignment Specialist; Aaron Culver, ILS Manager; Sherry Venable, MaTIC Logistics Management Specialist; Mike Toscan, PM MaTIC JCIMS Project Lead and Eleonora Amanbaeva, PM MaTIC JCIMS Budget Analyst.
The successful transition of the JCIMS product line to the CECOM LCMC provides the APG community a five-year, $40 million Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract aimed at producing long-term reductions to Total Ownership Cost over the acquisition life-cycle of the program. To date, the transfer of the JCIMS program has resulted in a net-gain of $2.3 million for CECOM LCMC and APG.