**By: Cain E. Roberts, Jr., Manpower Analyst
CASCOM G8, Manpower & Management Division, Fort Lee, Virginia**
The number one priority of our Commander-in-Chief is readiness. There are many Army systems that are essential to Army Leaders in order to make critical decisions regarding the security of our Nation. Force Registration is one of those systems.
It is a classified web based application within the Defense Readiness Reporting System (DRRS-A). This system can be used across the globe and provides the user with the capabilities to create and register new Army units from scratch and maintain unit Basic Identity Data Elements (BIDE) that supports Army readiness for specific missions. The Chief of Staff of Army uses Force Registration to check the status of Active Army (AA) Units and Reserve Component Units based on their current location, planned location, mobilization, deployment and redeployment. Active Army and Reserve Component units are registered in Force Registration under a Unit Identification Code (UIC).
For example, the Combined Arms Support Command (CASCOM), Fort Lee, Virginia is registered under UIC W3XTAA. When the UIC ends with AA, it is a Parent UIC. A subordinate unit can be created under a Parent UIC, but is called a Derivative Unit Identification Code (DUIC).
With that in mind, there are more DUICs than UICs. Force Registration has four unique drop down tabs in the web base; Unit Registration (creating/registering units and perform queries), Unit Maintenance (edit unit data, activate/inactivate units, restore archived units and transfer units from one command to another), Tools (manage location codes, database health check and manage reference maintenance) and Help (user guidance and interactive training for Force Registration).
A user with proper credentials is appointed on orders as a Unit Identification Code Information Officer (UICIO). The UICIO has a key role in Force Registration because the user has access to change the status of units through Inactivation and Activation, transfer units, maintain existing data, complete partially registered units, create single and multiple DUIC from existing DUICs. Only Headquarters Department of the Army (HQDA) has authorization to create a UIC. Every Army installation has a Primary UICIO and Alternate to manage unit data elements for units assigned to the installation. Depending on how large the installation, this can be a daunting task. For example, Fort Benning, Georgia, has more than 780 DUICs, which means the UICIO is required to perform data maintenance on each DUIC. In addition, the UICIO routinely receives requests from the units to the make changes to their unit data elements. The bottom line is the UICIO is a crucial element to Army installations worldwide.
Within the Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), G8, Force Development Division (FDD), UICIOs are primarily Manpower Analysts, series 0343 (CP26). The background and experience in manpower management, involves documentation of Tables of Distribution and Allowances and Modified Tables of Organization and Equipment, management of UICs/DUICs. And, with the responsibility of managing all resourced requirements for manpower and equipment on the TDA/MTOE, makes it an ideal position. The UICIO has a similar responsibility by managing all the UIC/DUIC unit data elements to ensure the data is properly maintained in Force Registration. Installation Management Command (IMCOM) used to perform this mission but longer does. TRADOC envisions that this mission will more than likely be assumed by them, but only to manage TRADOC UICs and expect Forces Command (FORSCOM) to manage their own UICs.
Finally, Force Registration is owned by HQDA G3/5/7. The web based application is a vital tool for Army Commands such as Army Human Resources Command (HRC). HRC assigns and requisitions military personnel according to the UIC/DUIC. When changes are required to the data elements, like the geographical location it is critical the correct location code be updated in Force Registration. If not, Soldiers will not be properly assigned to the right geographical location in their personnel systems, therefore, Soldiers will have problems with their pay, official records and distribution of mail. Force Registration replaced the legacy system, Army Status of Resources and Training System (ASORTS) in order to provide new tools and capabilities to increase ease of use and efficiency. Force Registration and the UICIO are inseparable.