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Defense Logistics: Lack of a Synchronized Approach between the Marine Corps and Army Affected the Timely Production and Installation of Marine Corps Truck Armor

GAO-06-274 Published: Jun 22, 2006. Publicly Released: Jun 22, 2006.
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Highlights

The increasing threat of improvised explosive devices (IED) in Iraq has led to widespread interest by Congress and the public regarding the availability of critical force protection equipment. GAO initiated a series of engagements under the Comptroller General's authority to address these concerns. In March 2006, GAO reported on factors that affected the production and installation of armor for the Army's medium and heavy trucks. This engagement examines issues affecting the production and installation of armor for the Marine Corps' medium and heavy trucks. The objectives were to (1) determine the extent to which truck armor was produced and installed to meet identified requirements, (2) identify what factors affected the time to provide truck armor, and (3) identify what actions the Marine Corps and DOD have taken to improve the timely availability of truck armor.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Defense To ensure that the services make informed and coordinated decisions about what materiel solutions are developed and procured to address common urgent wartime requirements, the Secretary of Defense should direct the service secretaries to establish a process to share information between the Marine Corps and the Army on developed or developing materiel solutions.
Closed – Not Implemented
As stated in its comments to this report, DOD believes the Army-Marine Corps Board (AMCB) and the Navy- Marine Corps Board (NMCB) address information sharing issues at the 3-star level. While the AMCB was not mature enough during the winter 2003/spring 2004 to influence the initial up-armor issue, DOD stated that it provides a suitable venue for similar topics, provides a means to share information, and meets the "spirit and intent" of the GAO recommendation. Consequently, DOD has planned no further actions to address this recommendation. However, as we stated in our report, while we agree that these Boards enhance the coordination between the two services, they represent an agreement between the services, initiated by the services. The intent of our recommendation is for DOD to develop a more comprehensive DOD-wide process that requires synchronization and coordination between the services in identifying common urgent wartime requirements and developing solutions to those requirements.
Department of Defense To ensure that the services make informed and coordinated decisions about what materiel solutions are developed and procured to address common urgent wartime requirements, the Secretary of Defense should clarify the point at which the Joint Urgent Operations Needs process should be utilized when materiel solutions require research and development.
Closed – Implemented
DOD is issuing a directive-type memorandum (DTM-10-002) to provide department-wide guidance on the JUON process, and this guidance addresses the intent of our recommendation. For example, the DTM clarifies that for cases where technology is not mature enough to fully resolve the identified need, developmental efforts shall be initiated concurrent with fielding a mitigating solution. According to DOD officials, the DTM is in final coordination within the department and is expected to be issued in 2010. Additionally, the Joint Staff, J8 is currently working on an update to CJCSl 3470.01, "Rapid Validation and Resourcing of Joint Urgent Operational Needs (JUON) in the Year of Execution". According to DOD, that update will clarify, among other things, when and if the JUONS process can be used when materiel solutions require development of a new technology or capability.

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Topics

Armored vehiclesDefense capabilitiesLogisticsMilitary land vehiclesMilitary materielMilitary operationsProtective equipmentTimelinessU.S. Marine CorpsU.S. Army