This four-year test is designed to quantitatively/qualitatively measure the effectiveness and efficiency of the DoD distribution system in an effort to enhance theater distribution through the application of better business practices to the nodal distribution process in the joint theater. JTD JT&E will focus on in-theater distribution and will include an examination of other distribution operations when they impact on theater distribution operations. The effort is designed to enhance a CINC's capability for full spectrum dominance through focused logistics.

Recent military and humanitarian operations highlighted difficulties in managing the in-theater physical distribution of assets, the related Information Flows, and the Integrated Management Processes necessary for the CINC to execute his Directive Authority for Logistics to provide the "right support to the right customer at the right time." The large volume of materiel to be moved through the theater distribution nodes during the early phases of a deployment and sustainment operation overwhelms the force structure available to execute distribution. These nodes are where the unique service systems and units must hand off cargo and material in a seamless fashion to avoid backlogs and bottlenecks. Experience has shown that these nodes are where the overall distribution process routinely breaks down.

The Charter for the Joint Theater Distribution Joint Test and Evaluation Project was approved by OSD on September 8, 1998. The JTD JT&E will be conducted over four fiscal years using a test task force of contractor and service personnel. Initially, the test calls for data to be collected on the physical processes, information flow, and management processes that occur within the Aerial Ports of Debarkation, Water Ports of Debarkation, HUB/Advance Logistics Site distribution locations, Trailer Transfer Points, Terminal Transfer Units and the Customers. The mapping of the "as is" nodal processes and the performance data associated with each process will be used to build nodal distribution models unique to each CINC's Area of Responsibility (AOR). In the second year, test articles will be selected and applied in treatment packages in selected CINCs AOR. Data will be collected during this test phase and used to build a statistically significant model of all the nodes. The model will then be used to select value added test articles to be applied as another treatment in three years. After thorough cause and effect analysis, a model confirmed that the best joint business process will be selected, taken to the field in year four, and tested in selected CINCs AOR. During the course of the JT&E, the test task force will work with the Services to ensure that resources are identified to implement the best joint business processes for joint theater distribution.

In this first year of JTD JT&E, "as is" mapping in PACOM and EUCOM on the physical processes, information flow, and management processes occurring within the Aerial Ports of Debarkation, Water Ports of Debarkation, HUB/Advance Logistics Site distribution locations, Trailer Transfer Points, Terminal Transfer Units and the Customers, have been completed. The test task force is now in the process of selecting treatments for CINC approval to be applied and tested in early 2000. The test task force is working with other complimentary initiatives to avoid duplication of effort and waste of scarce resources.

The JTD JT&E project meets the stated purposes of the OSD JT&E program. The CINCs and the Services continue to support the project. Participation by the field activities visited by the task force personnel has been outstanding. The resources and planning appear to be adequate.