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DOT&E FY2000 Annual Report

JOINT THEATER DISTRIBUTION (JTD)

Joint Test and Evaluation Program		Lead Service
Authorized Manning:	62	Army
Total JT&E Budget:	$16.5M
Charter Date:	4QFY98
Completion Date:	2QFY03

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION & CONTRIBUTION TO JOINT VISION 2020

Joint Theater Distribution (JTD) is the system that enables the geographic combatant commander to deploy, employ, sustain, and re-deploy assigned forces and non-unit materiel and personnel to carry out missions assigned to his command. The system is a network of nodes and links tailored to meet the logistic requirements of the military force during peacetime, contingency, or wartime operations. The purpose of the JTD Joint Test and Evaluation (JT&E) is to examine, standardize, and streamline the theater distribution pipeline nodal processes to enhance theater distribution effectiveness and efficiency, thereby reducing customer wait time.

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 processes within the in-theater distribution nodes. JTD JT&E focuses on in-theater distribution, but will include an examination of other distribution pipeline operations, both strategic and tactical, when they impact 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 distribution of assets, the related information flows, and the integrated management processes necessary for the geographic CINC to execute his directive authority for logistics support. Simply stated: To provide the "right support to the right customer at the right time, the first time." The shear volume of materiel to be moved through the theater distribution nodes during the early phases of deployment and sustainment operations overwhelms the node's ability to execute distribution. These nodes are where unique Service systems and units must hand off cargo and materiel in a seamless fashion to avoid backlogs and bottlenecks. Experience has shown that this is where the overall distribution process tends to break down. This test addresses the nodes' underlying business processes and focuses on their improvement - not on the nodal resources required to execute distribution within each node.

The JTD JT&E project was chartered by OSD on September 8, 1998. The JTD JT&E is being conducted over a four-year period using a team of contractor and Service personnel. In year one, the JTD JT&E conducted visits to multiple sites within the PACOM and EUCOM Areas of Responsibility (AORs). The visits focused on mapping the "As Is" discrete nodal physical processes, information flows, and management processes occurring within the Aerial Ports of Debarkation (APOD), Seaports of Debarkation (SPOD), Hub/Advanced Logistic Site (ALS), Trailer Transfer Points (TTP), Terminal Transfer Units (TTU) and the Customers. This information is being used to develop test articles for each of the planned test treatments, and to build models unique to each distribution node type in a CINC's AOR. In the second year, "As Is" mapping in the CENTCOM AOR was completed and the first test treatments were applied in PACOM and EUCOM. During the third year of the test, "As Is" mapping in the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) will be conducted and test articles will be developed as part of the test treatments. In the fourth year, the JTD JT&E will formulate the best joint business process for each in-theater distribution node type. These improved distribution node types will then be implemented and tested in the PACOM, EUCOM, CENTCOM, and SOUTHCOM AORs.

The Program Test Plan was approved on 7 March 2000. The "As Is" mapping of the theater distribution process was completed in the CENTCOM AOR (April/May 2000) and SOUTHCOM AOR (September 2000). The first test treatments were applied in PACOM (March 2000) and EUCOM (August 2000). Data collection from those first treatments is ongoing at this writing.

The resources and planning for the JTD JT&E are adequate to meet the stated purposes of an OSD JT&E program. Data continues to be collected and analyzed. The CINCs and the Services continue to support the project. Participation by the field activities visited by the JTD JT&E personnel has been outstanding. Analysis of the "As Is" mapping has identified several potential areas ripe for efficiencies to be gained. Early test treatments have been targeted toward the more obvious efficiencies to be gained. The full impact of test treatments will not be confirmed until the test is complete in FY03.

FY00 JOINT THEATER DISTRIBUTION (JTD)