Military

CASCOM changes consistent with future force requirements

Army News Service

Release Date: 5/18/2004

By Sgt. 1st Class Reginald P. Rogers

Editor's note: This article is part of a weekly series on the 17 Army focus areas. This one focuses on "Logistics."

FORT MONROE, Va. (Army News Service, May 18, 2004) - As the Army changes the way it does business, the U.S. Army Combined Arms Support Command must also change in it's mission to provide the materiel needed for sustainment, CASCOM officials said.

Task Force Logistics, in charge of the newest of the Army's 17 focus areas, includes logistician and support personnel from all branches of the military. CASCOM is a large piece of the TF Logistics puzzle and therefore plays a major part in the task of supplying the troops.

"Task Force Logistics was formed to review and redesign how a land-component commander is sustained," said Maj. Gen. Terry E. Juskowiak, CASCOM and Fort Lee, Va., commanding general. "The scope of this review extends from CONUS support to support of deployed forces; includes support to the Army, how the Army provides support to sister components once deployed; and how the Army will contribute to a joint logistics capability."

During the annual Combat Service Support Commanders and Command Sergeants Major Conference, which was held April 8-9 at Fort Lee, Va., Juskowiak pointed out that CASCOM is prepared for the changes that are taking place within the force.

According to a report by the Petersburg, Va. Progressive-Index, the increased use of computer technology in Army logistics is a very near possibility.

The report went on to say that commanders and sergeants major in attendance were told of the possibility of using computer simulations designed for military logisticians in the same manner that combat Soldiers use them to improve their fighting skills.

"(The conference) was a chance for us to review what happened, what went well and on what we need to put new emphasis," Juskowiak said following the conference.

He added that Jointness and modularity present positive changes in the logistical spectrum, as all services and organizations will work together to ensure Soldiers' needs are taken care of.

He also explained that if logisticians and battle commands are given the same "data points," such as where a hotbed of conflict is burning, the logistician could use the information to avoid sending a supply convoy through the middle of that battle scene. Or a petroleum shipment could be redirected to where it is more urgently needed.

"We're looking at how we do logistics from the foxhole back," Juskowiak said. "When I say back, I mean all the way back to the CONUS national level. What we do in the foxhole is very green, very Army-oriented. But as you go back, it becomes more and more purple -- that is, more (of a) Joint (concept). That's because more joint aspects will be put into the force."