Global Combat Support System-Marine Corps - Research Paper Example

Global Combat Support System-Marine Corps Global Combat Support System-Marine Corps Levin (2009) reveals that the U.S. Marine currently maintains more that 200 fragmented information technology systems to augment its logistical efforts. A majority of these systems date back to the 1970s and 1980s when they were developed to support certain functional areas as noted by Levin (2009). Apart from the fact that these systems are not integrated, they are also costly and hard to maintain. At the same time, findings reveal that these systems were not designed to operate in an austere environment the overall effect of which has forced the Marines to rely on different technologies when in the battalion than when deployed. However, as technology continues to advance, it becomes necessary for the Marines in combat to adopt rapid and flexible logistical capabilities that conform to 21st century battlefield. Lessons learned during the Marine operations in Iraq and Desert Storm showed that deployable integrated technology is a very important thing that any warfighter should have (Fuentes, 2012). This is because systems, which were not able to communicate with each other created a lot of inconveniences as a result of too much order-fulfillment, lag tie-chocked pipelines, redundant ordering, and warfighter uncertainty as noted by Fuentes (2012). As a result, commanders in the battlefield were forced to make up for lack of information by accumulating stock supplies to cater for any eventuality that may befall them, which forced them to sacrifice part of their flexibility and agility needed to fight on a peculiar war. In this regard, carrying bulk inventory equated to a decline in combat power. As a result, it became necessary for the Marine to introduce the Global Combat Support System-Marine Corps (GCSS-MC), to improve Marines asset visibility, make lighter and more mobile fighting power as well as reduce customer wait time (Fuentes, 2012). In addition, the GCSS-MC program has been found to provide timely and accurate data, which allows for faster and better decision-making and therefore improves the effectiveness of combat. In addition, GCSS-MC is capable of going everywhere Marines go where it helps in providing marines with accurate and consistent information according to Levin (2009). Type of Data Collected by the GCSS-MC Program The GCSS-MC system is normally used to collect data pertaining to logistical chain management. This may include customer information, the inventory available for Marine at any given time, and other logistical support data that marines may be in need of while, in the battlefields. The data provided by the program is additive in nature since they can be updated as and when a need arises. It is noted that the initial block of the GCSS-MC usually provides supply maintenance, request management, system administration functions, and financial management services among others. The data collected is analyzed using operational or developmental tests to determine how effective or ineffective the program is in providing the marines with the logistical data required to enable them fight effectively and win a battle (Levin, 2009). Reasons for undertaking the program The application of the GCSS-MC program has received a lot of support from Marine commanders due to a number of reasons. Firstly, the GCSS-MC has been found to be capable of tracking and shifting units, supplies, and equipment (Fuentes, 2012). In addition, GCSS-MC is capable of delivering tailored logistical packages to warfighters, which is very important in the battlefield. Research indicates that winning a war today is not easy because of advancements in technology; almost every country today has been able to acquire sophisticated weapons (Fuentes, 2012). Therefore, good logistical support is necessary for warfighters to be able to win a given war, something that GCSS-MC program promotes. The GCSS-MC program is also being undertaken by Marines because of its ability to provide warfighters an end-to-end capability, which gives them the opportunity to monitor and manage equipment and personnel over real time, as well as through mobilization processes according to Shores (2011). In addition, Marines also cite that GCSS-MC also capable of providing the common operating picture (COP) which ensures that commanders have the right people, the right supplies and the right equipment at the right time and at the right place, an aspect which is very important during a combat mission as was witnessed during the U.S. war in Iraq. What this means is that, during crisis moment, the GCSS-MC will abreast the warfighters where his or her assets are (Shores, 2011). For instance, when a Marine is in need of bullets or guns at any given time, then he or she can use the GCSS-MC to locate where the arsenals are so as not to be found empty handed by an enemy. GCSS-MC also provides a number of advantages to Marines in combat. For instance, the use of GCSS-MC has received enormous support from Marine Corps on the ground that it provide commanders, ACS personnel and staff at all ranks with a timely, accurate and effective Agile Combat Support (ACS) information with a high level of security required. For instance, with the Marines, the GCSS-MC acts as the means with which ACSautomated information system is rationalized and automated so as to improve business processes (Fuentes, 2012). The other advantage having been associated with the GCSS-MC is the fact that it has both classified and unclassified versatilities (Shaver, 2012). This implies that a Marine on a classified system can easily go to that system by typing the website needed, thereby making the Marine get the desired information on the website real time. This is because Marine commanders have servers that direct to the data sources, which provides commanders with real-time data feed needed by warfighters to support their combat mission (Shaver, 2012). In this regard, GCSS-MC enables warfighters to be able to obtain real-time munitions data and fuels from the Marines’ authoritative databases. This implies that GCSS-MC can be viewed as a one-stop shop. This is very important because it avoids wastage of time, which sometimes occurs when a warfighter has to browse several sites before getting the data needed. This is because with GCSS-MC, what a Marine needs is just to log in to the site and retrieve all the information needed real-time (Fuentes, 2012). The GCSS-MC has also been of great advantage to the U.S. Marine Corp because the program allows for the use of Oracle Supply Chain Planning, which reduces requisition requests time by close to 80% to ten minutes down from three days (Shaver, 2012). In addition, GCSS-MC system gives Marines providing combat service support the opportunity to manage inventory and services effectively. For instance, the GCSS-MC program has enabled Marines to be able to observe the stock levels real-time, which in turn has enabled them to requisition stock before it drops below the re-order level according to Shaver (2012). Moreover, the program has also made it easier for Marines to develop timely and reliable records on military’s repair and maintenance equipment. Stakeholders involved GCSS-MC is a program that involves the collaboration of several stakeholders. Customers are the major stakeholders of the program, which includes operating forces consisting of several Marines and the Office of the Secretary of Defense CIO. Advocates are also a major stakeholder to the program is concerned with installation and logistical functions. In addition, there are also the external stakeholders consisting of PM communications, Joint Staff (J-4), PM logistics information systems, DC Aviation, the Navy Department, and the DC PP&O. Oracle Consulting is also another stakeholder whose mandate is to oversee the development and implementation of the system (Shores, 2011). Why GCSS-MC program need transformation The GCSS-MC initiative described above came into being due to the Joint Vision 2010 and Focused Logistics, which suggested the beginning of the process of transformation. Research indicates that the capabilities of future logistics are akin to pattern shift referred to as "Revolution in Military Logistics” (Robinson, 2012). In this regard, a transformation is desirable because the Marine can no longer afford to operate within defined working boundaries and succeed in winning a battle. This is based on the findings, which showed that maintaining stovepiped systems have the potential of reducing the effectiveness of an institution in accomplishing its strategic objectives. Therefore, it becomes necessary for Marines to consider eliminating stovepiped systems. A study has showed that an absolute transformation is in the offing, which is based on business process management notes Robinson (2012). This system will require logisticians to cross-function boundaries in order to perform their logistical works. This transformation will streamline processes, which will, in turn, increase customer satisfaction levels, reduce their wait time, increase productivity, and reduce inventory and logistical costs. In addition, it will lead to better financial management in the Marine. Recommendation The world is fast evolving, and new technologies are coming up, which affects the operation of Marines in the battlefield. The technological advancement has particularly impacted on the Marines’ logistical capabilities that has seen the old systems become less effective. However, GCSS-MC is the best answer to such challenges due to its capability of reducing logistical response and customer wait-time. Therefore, it is a commendable move that Marines should adopt the system to improve their combat operation in the battlefield. References Fuentes, G. (2012). “Corps develops new logistics support system.” Retrieved from http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/prime/2012/11/PRIME-marine-corps-logistics-global-combat-support-system-110812/. Levin, C. (2009). Department of Defense authorization for appropriations for fiscal year 2009: Hearings before the Committee on Armed Services, U. S. Senate. New York, NY: DIANE Publishing. Shaver, L. (2012). “Global Combat Support System.” Volume: 6 Issue: 1. Retrieved from http://www.kmimediagroup.com/military-logistics-forum/384-mlf-2012-volume-6-issue-1-february/5225-global-combat-support-system.html. Shores, R. (2011). “The United States Marine Corps deploys comprehensive Oracle Solution to create a Global Combat Support System.” Oracle Press Release. Retrieved from http://www.oracle.com/us/corporate/press/433708. Robinson, R. (2012). “Logistics takes the point with Marines modernization.” GCN. Retrieved from http://gcn.com/articles/2012/10/22/ga-marine-global-combat-support-system.aspx. Read More