Photo By Sgt. Geoffrey Ingersoll | 1st Lt. Andrew R. Scheuer, an adviser with Border Transition Team 4222, hands a "BFIT"...... read more read more
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By Cpl. G.P. Ingersoll
I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward)
BORDER FORT NINE, Iraq – "BFIT" sounds deceiving.
It's not about strength, endurance or agility, but it does measure fitness: logistical fitness.
The purpose for the BFIT, or Border Fort Inventory Tracker, is to improve and streamline the often ailing logistical arm of Iraqi border police.
The Marines of Border Transition Teams conduct a BFIT inspection on every Iraqi police fort along the Syrian border once a month. Based on the inspection, they attach a percentage readiness grade to five logistical categories: weapons, vehicles, generators, communications equipment and quality of life.
"[The BFIT] helps Iraqis to understand the accountability of what is used. If you have a log book and you have monthly inventories, it helps solve reporting discrepancies, and it helps paint a picture of what's going on to the higher echelons of command," said 1st Lt. Justin E. Houck, logistics adviser, BTT 4222.
At first, Iraqis reported discrepancies without logging the date and time of the report. They also reported without evidence. Marines here showed Iraqis that reports on unsatisfactory or insufficient food and gasoline shipments were better off with photos and hard documentation. The old way, reporting by word of mouth, left too much room for interpretation or dismissal.
Commanders are more likely to act if they see an actual list, or, with pictures, they see the actual state of food deliveries, said Houck, 26, from Ingram, Texas. Including Iraqis on regular inspections shows them what they should be looking for, and the proper procedure of reporting discrepancies up the chain of command, he said.
"They're seeing that it's helping them get more stuff," said Gunnery Sgt. Baltazar A. Pineda, staff non-commissioned officer in charge, BTT 4222. "Better food, more water ... their seeing actual benefits of keeping track and working through the chain properly."
Not only do Iraqis keep better track of their supplies, but the BFIT allows Marines to focus more on fort-specific training. Some forts have problems just cleaning their rifles every day, other forts run a tight ship. Knowing the state of each fort enables advisers to get right to business with the training and classes each fort needs.
"This way we have border fort specificity. We know what we're going to run into before we get out of our vehicles," Houck said.
"The big thing is that we go through and give an overall evaluation of the border fort. Where do these guys stand: do they get food consistently, how good is it; are they losing their weapons, do they take pride in their fort," said Houck.
Then each month, depending on the fort's improvement and dedication to maintaining standards, BTT 4222 will hold an award formation to recognize deserving units.
"It just lets them know that we take these types of things seriously, and we're willing to reward them for doing well," Houck said. "If you recognize an Iraqi for something and take time to make him stand out amongst his peers, it helps him want to do better ... it helps them to make the initiative to do what they need to do."
All the good military training in the world can't help if there aren't any bullets, or gas to power vehicles. Advisers here take advising on logistics as serious as peacekeeping tactics.
"An emphasis has to be put on logistics," said Pineda, 35, a native of San Francisco. "The U.S. armed forces need the same stuff that other armed forces need in the world, what makes us better than everyone is logistics. We can move stuff, we can resupply faster.
"I don't care how well trained you are, if you don't have the bullets and food, you're done."
| Date Taken: | 10.23.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 10.23.2008 18:39 |
| Story ID: | 25463 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 196 |
| Downloads: | 171 |
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