DIGITAL EDITION (LOGISTICS) Logistics Command and Control CLC2S in a garrison environment by Capts Andrew Schaffer & Nick Borns requirements just to get into and pros- ecute operations is just the beginning. “All logistics systems have two fundamental ele- Command and control of logistics enhances the effective employment of ments: a distribution system, made up of bases and resources on the battlefield. Although distribution procedures, and command and control.” logistics command and control is often 1 ignored and the practices are archaic, –MCDP 4, Logistics the Marine Corps already has a program of record and the tool in place; that tool is called the Common Logistics Com- mand and Control System (CLC2S). alk into any combat function that can determine victory and CLC2S is a tactical, web-enabled operations center and extend operational reach in a conflict: logistics information management you will see a diligently logistics. system designed to provide MAGTF working staff surround- Talented commanders and all lo- commanders and logisticians with ca- edW by radios, big screen televisions, gisticians understand that every Ma- pabilities to plan, request, monitor, and monitors, maps, and charts displaying rine is a rifleman, but his effectiveness command logistics resources in order to various types of information from per- and operational reach is a function of achieve operational and tactical logistics sonnel numbers to significant events. In transportation, supply, health services, situational awareness of the battlefield. this booming technology age, the ability maintenance, general engineering, and Young logisticians have learned many to capture raw, real time information services. Discovering the multitude of different procedures and methodolo- has allowed commanders and higher headquarters to maintain situational awareness on the battlefield like never before. Watching the live feed from a Raven or monitoring troop movements over a blue force tracker allows com- manders to utilize intelligence to seize fleeting opportunities that can tip the scales of an engagement in their favor. The Marine Corps leverages the use of these technologies to assist commanders in the control of maneuver, fires and ef- fects, intelligence, and force protection, but we tend to ignore the warfighting >Capt Schaffer is currently serving as the S–4 Officer, Headquarters Regiment, 1st MLG. >>Capt Borns is currently serving as the Operations Officer, Head- quarters Regiment, 1st MLG. A T5 Caterpillar D9 bulldozer passes a CLC2S during MPF offload in South Korea. (Photo by Sgt Justin A. Bopp.) DE4 www.mca-marines.org/gazette Marine Corps Gazette • October 2015 DE Articles_1015CC.indd 4 9/8/15 1:19 PM gies for tasking and requesting logistics tion with several legacy stovepiped sup- without blindly tasking. ECS provides support. During high tempo or kinetic ply and maintenance systems that can the ability to integrate transactional operations, Marines rely on handwritten be used in theater. This dispersion of activity with logistics capability.2 documents from field notebooks built logistics data leads to an inaccurate and The RRTS+ provides request man- from taking reports over radios. Once out-of-date common logistics operating agement and order management func- operations transition to slower stabili- picture, hampering effective command tionality, in which users can request zation and support operations, spread- and control decision making. Utilizing supplies and services as well as moni- sheets developed by the computer-savvy these untimely methods of command toring the status of submitted requests. take over. During these later phases of a and control causes logisticians to work This serves as a single point of entry conflict, logistics command and control primarily in a reactionary mode, leaving for generating requirements by a unit, eventually gets formalized using local commanders with no ability to influ- allowing all requirements to be prop- documents, giving off the impression ence logistics. In the garrison environ- erly vetted before submission and giving that they are official documents. From ment, an environment that we now find higher headquarters the ability to ap- the logistical support request and tac- ourselves in more due to the drawdown propriately prioritize requests. Dupli- tical movement request to automated message handling system messages and email traffic, each unit seems to have a different way of formally requesting and While many commanders desire a comprehensive providing logistics support. CLC2S is and realistic concept of support, they rarely pay much a standardized system that the Marine Corps already has in place, and one attention to it, especially when competing for air time which Marines coming to your unit will with the concept of operations. already understand and have working knowledge of. For some odd reason, we just don’t like using this program and it has faded from use. in Iraq and Afghanistan, the major sub- cation of efforts are limited using this ordinate elements of the MAGTF are on tool, and best of all, knowledge on this Why We Never Really Adopted an equal playing field. The limitations process is transferable between units. CLC2S of field communications do not exist. If In the true spirit of the MAGTF, units While many commanders desire a anything, the need for a more accurate unknown to each other can be placed comprehensive and realistic concept of common logistics picture is greater due together and have the ability to gain support, they rarely pay much attention to our posture as a force-in-readiness, mutual understanding of each other’s to it, especially when competing for air with multiple SPMAGTFs and crisis assets and the process for requesting time with the concept of operations. response forces being created to respond additional support.3 Logistics is not the function that wins to developing crises around the globe. The LOG P/E tool provides the abil- firefights, but it is crucial in deciding ity to capture unit readiness and aid in the achievement of both operational What Does CLC2S Really Get Me? CSS mission planning. It assists staffs and strategic objectives. And yet, it is CLC2S has multiple functions and in determining requirements for a mis- assigned the lowest priority for com- tools built into it, but the best and most sion and allows for development and mand and control system development, relevant tools include Enhanced Com- analysis of courses of action. Supported fielding, training, and refinement. True bat Service Support Operations Cen- units can have a better understanding logistics command and control uses ter/Combat Operations Center System of their logistical requirements prior comprehensive data from a variety of (ECS), Rapid Request Tracking System to executing missions, and supporting sources, accessible by a communications Plus (RRTS+), and Logistics Planning units will better understand the concept and information system architecture. and Execution (LOG P/E). of operations as it relates to logistics. This communications architecture must The ECS provides asset and inven- Commanders also have the ability to allow users to interact with the system tory management capability, with the define and insert system alerts when as- and request and coordinate service sup- ability to view and edit the status of per- set status approaches or falls below des- port—which means it needs bandwidth. sonnel, equipment, and supplies at the ignated criteria, allowing a commander In expeditionary environments, asset level. It is the combat service sup- to execute “pull” logistics prior to his bandwidth is shared with operational port operations center’s version of com- assets limiting his ability to continue and intelligence data, which com- mand post of the future-like systems. operations.4 manders assign a higher priority than Units in a headquarters can see assets logistics. The result is that in a tactical that are available in their subordinate Conclusion environment, logisticians have relied on units, and they can appropriate limited In an era of scarce resources and the manual coordination via white boards assets, delegate tasks, or assign missions demand to run at peak efficiency, the and voice communications, in conjunc- that suit the capabilities of their units Marine Corps has an opportunity to Marine Corps Gazette • October 2015 www.mca-marines.org/gazette DE5 DE Articles_1015CC.indd 5 9/8/15 1:19 PM DIGITAL EDITION (LOGISTICS) improve processes unlike any other. Ma- core system, the Marine Corps does not scend environment; the Marine Corps rine Leadership can capitalize on the have to require multiple training events already has the system in place. scarcest of all resources—time—with for systems that are used in different a system that is already in place. As the settings, and the inevitable rotation of Corps transitions from the Force Struc- Marines who gained proficiency in asset Notes ture Review Group to the Quadrennial requesting and management will not be 1. Headquarters Marine Corps, Marine Corps Defense Review Integration Group to seen as a total loss to a unit. Doctrinal Publication 4 (MCDP–4), Logistics, the 175,000 structure, the resources The enforcement and use of CLC2S (Washington, DC: 1997). and time left to commanders will be will create a standardized method of even more precious. It is unlikely that providing logistics command and con- 2. Marine Corps Systems Command, Common operations tempos will accompany the trol, no matter the environment. By en- Logistics Command and Control (CLC2S) Desk structural drawdown. Efficiency gained suring that there is a smooth transition Reference Guide, (Washington, DC: 2008). by employing CLC2S in a training, between garrison and deployed logistics 3. Ibid. garrison, field, and forward deployed management, units will be able to over- environment will not only allow leaders come the initial friction of deployment, 4. Ibid. to have a better understanding of their reception, staging, onward movement own unit’s capabilities, but also allow and integration, and maneuver due to them to focus on other priorities that the fact that logistics Marines are fa- are constantly competing for their time.