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After several years of thousands of Soldiers and hundreds of organizations attempting to use different supply systems to accomplish their missions, a solution has arrived. The Global Combat Support System-Army is here.
The 21st Theater Sustainment Command’s 240th Quartermaster Company, 16th Special Troops Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade is one of many units in the Army fielding the new GCSS-A system at their Supply Support Activity on Smith Barracks in Baumholder.
In previous years, units used a variety of supply systems and financial systems to acquire parts or items. The unit customer, the Soldier or leader trying to obtain that piece of equipment had no tangible way of tracking their item or knowing when it would arrive. A final grievance of the old system, Soldiers would need to learn a new method of achieving the same goal each time they changed duty stations, said Chief Warrant Officer 5 Guy K. Hunter II, 21st TSC senior quartermaster warrant officer.
“With the old system, Soldiers had to relearn how to do the same processes in a new way when they changed duty stations,” Hunter said. “The old system was not as user friendly. The GCSS-A is a project I have watched develop since I was a young Soldier back in 1988, and it is a welcomed change.”
The GCSS-A represents the first time in U.S. Army history that finance and logistics data have been integrated and are working together in a supply system. The resource management portion of the system ensures that funds are available within the unit for each purchase. The execution management part of the system ensures the order is correct and in the proper quantity before shipment, Hunter said.
“The link between finance and logistics in the system really ensures good stewardship for commanders,” Hunter said. “The system has the potential to save the Army millions of dollars by avoiding potential supply problems before they happen.”
The Soldiers of the 240th QM Co. received training with the new system and hail it as a success.
“The new system is much easier to use,” said Spc. Arisleindy Valdez-Gomez, supply specialist with the 240th QM Co. “For us as supply specialists, the system is more convenient and gives us a better view of the items we are ordering for our customers.”
The GCSS-A program implemented with the 240th QM Co. is the first wave of fielding. A full implementation of the program is scheduled for Fiscal Year 2015 when the Property Book Unit Supply-Enhanced and Standard Army Maintenance System-Enhanced are integrated, Hunter said.
Although the GCSS-A still has a few steps before it is completely integrated to the Army supply system, the Soldiers using the first fielding believe the program will be a success.
“With this system, we are doing something new. Even though we are accomplishing the same mission, GCSS-A makes everything much easier,” said Sgt. Brian K. Manley, 240th QM Co. SSA NCOIC. “This program provides us and our customers with increased visibility on the products they are trying to acquire. Once we go full solution next year, I think it will be a huge success.”
