Saving money on Leader's Recons

Courtesy Photo | Master Sgt. Robert Bottom briefs requested training information.  

CAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAIT

10.25.2006

Story by Capt. Michael Wallace 

377th Theater Sustainment Command

PRESS RELEASE
377th TSC (Forward)

CAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAIT--The Virtual Leaders Reconnaissance (VLR) is no secret, but the money-saving program is unknown by military units that are deploying to Southwest Asia. This drastically underused program can save military units money as they ready to deploy and train for their missions in theater.

The VLR, being conducted from Camp Arifjan, Kuwait by the 377th Theater Support Command (TSC), is a program designed for military units smaller than Brigade size, or those units not authorized a leader's recon. The purpose of the VLR is for those units to be able to inquiry about their missions, their training, and their needs before they get into theater, and need to do a leader's recon. The 377th TSC is the 'middle man' for the VLR, thereby optimizing informational exchanges between incoming/outgoing units.

"Units with a small population [below brigade level] that are not authorized a leader's recon to theater can and should utilize the VLR," says Lt. Col. Ralph Fehlberg, the plans officer for DR/OPS. "They need to do this from 100-120 days away from their mobilization date. In the future, strict enforcement about who can conduct a Leader's Recon will occur, so this is important for those units not qualified to conduct a Leader's Recon."

"The VRL was initiated to give these incoming units an opportunity to meet and talk securely with their outgoing counterparts and find out what equipment, supplies, manning and training is required of them to be able to fulfill the mission," Fehlberg continues. "This way, they can meet their counterparts and see what's needed to accomplish their missions, and where they are lacking for their missions in Kuwait, and up North."

1st Lt. Andrew Tapley is the Virtual Leader's Recon OIC and he is in charge of ensuring that proper OPSEC is in place for the meetings to occur. "I set up the phones, the Video Teleconference (VTC) and the Defense Collaborative Tools Suite (DCTS) so the units communicating can cover their After Action Reports (AARs) and weekly briefings. The DCTS is basically a teleconference and chat room to for incoming and outgoing units to communicate."

"This free-flow of information helps incoming units ward off potential major problems," Tapley says. "If there is some special training they need to complete, or some special equipment they need to bring before coming to theater, this is the time to find out about it. This way, a unit may find out early enough to include mandatory training that the unit didn't expect at the mobilization station."

"Each communicating unit can then send any requirements on their E Packet. The E Packet consists of the Equipment Common Operations Picture (ECOP), which includes the statistics of the unit, such as slides, charts and completed information on the SIPR net," Master Sgt. Robert Bottom says. Bottom is the NCOIC of the VLR, as well as the Request for Information (RFI) manager.

"How this works," says Bottom, "is that when the incoming unit has any questions, they forward the RFIs to this office. We then coordinate with the LNOs of the outgoing unit, who then answer straight to the incoming unit, by using the Electronic Packet (E Packet)."

"This optimizes each unit's time with the free flow of information," says Fehlberg. "It also ensures that the incoming unit can meet its training goals, though it is up to 3rd Army to verify the training."

The VLR is a promising program, though severely underused due to three issues. First, there is a limit to SIPR nets, training for the operators, and the level of emphasis of the use of the VLR.

"SIPR capability is limited," says Tapley. "We can't go directly to the units, they have to contact us through FORSCOM. It's harder for Reserve units to get SIPR connection, as it's very regional for them, whereas Guard units have SIPR capability state by state."

"On training," says Bottom, "there has to be Soldiers trained how to work the nets and other equipment at their stations. Trainers will come out to the unit and train Soldiers on the perishable skill of how to use the website."

On the level of emphasis, the VLR team emphasizes the need for units and leaders to realize the great potential of this program. "We are offering units a chance to save money," says Fehlberg. "Hopefully, places like the National Guard Bureau, the Reserve commands and other headquarters can be the broker and inform incoming units what we have to offer."

To contact the 377th TSC VLR, contact 1st Lt. Andrew Tapley at [e-mail] or call on the DSN phone line at 312-430-5467.

• Date Taken: 10.25.2006
• Date Posted: 12.22.2006 11:08
• Story ID: 8655
• Location: CAMP ARIFJAN, KW