Gen. Perna visits ASC as command takes new shape

Photo By Kevin Fleming | Gen. Gustave F. Perna, commanding general, U.S. Army Materiel Command, emphasizes the need to focus on appropriate outputs – not just on programs – during his quarterly update meeting at the U.S. Army Sustainment Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, Nov. 29.  

ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, IL, UNITED STATES

11.28.2018

Story by Kevin Fleming 

U.S. Army Sustainment Command

ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. – Gen. Gustave F. Perna, commanding general, U.S. Army Materiel Command, met with top leaders of the U.S. Army Sustainment Command to discuss logistics readiness, reform and personnel management during his quarterly update, Nov. 28, here.

Army Secretary Mark Esper’s top priorities are readiness, modernization and reform. ASC’s “Shape to Fight” reform efforts – now approaching stage three of four – are aligned with the initiative already carried out at AMC headquarters.

“We must ask ourselves, is the output [of a program] contributing to the Chief of Staff’s and the SecArmy’s priorities? Is it contributing to filling combatant commanders’ requirements?” Perna said. “If not, we’ve got to get rid of it.

“We can’t high-five ourselves for having something if it doesn’t produce the right output.”

ASC recently merged 12 Logistics Readiness Centers with 12 battalion to better serve Soldiers as AMC’s single face to the field. ASC leaders have also begun reshaping ASC’s headquarters so it can better respond to tactical requirements instead of focusing too heavily on programs.

For example, Army Prepositioned Stocks is an ASC mission, while material power projection is the output APS provides. However, power projection as a capability goes well beyond just the APS mission, said Maj. Gen. Duane Gamble, commanding general, ASC, during a recent town hall meeting.

During the update, Gamble said an important next step will be to document these changes so they endure in the years to come.

“I believe the investment in time and energy we are putting into the reform of the brigades and the headquarters will pay off,” Gamble said. “I’m very proud of the work that has been done.”

The update included a discussion of ASC’s Strategic Human Capital Plan, which is an ongoing effort to engage the workforce, improve its health, and support a positive command climate.

The update also included a discussion about the progress of fielding a standardized container storage system to the Army’s supply support activities.

Perna said the container project appears to be going well, but he encouraged ASC leadership to stay attentive as they look for ways to improve.

ASC is the point of the spear for logistics within AMC. ASC’s mission it to deliver AMC’s capabilities –including material equipment, services and contractor oversight – to warfighters in the field and at home base.

During his visit, Perna also presented ASC personnel with coins for their outstanding achievements. Those recognized were Matt Burns, Sgt. 1st Class Babatunde Akala, Capt. Jimmy Plata, Cassie Davis, Emma Matthews, and Brian Nelson.

• Date Taken: 11.28.2018
• Date Posted: 11.29.2018 17:36
• Story ID: 301714
• Location: ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, IL, US