MTMC to play key role in faster freight movement
The Military Traffic Management Command is playing a key role in a complete transformation of the way military freight is moved around the world.
Automation and private enterprise techniques will be used to solve bottlenecks in existing military distribution systems.
"We're going from stockpiling inventories to lean inventories," said Curtis Moore, of the Distribution Analysis Center, which is spearheading the concept. "We are going to embrace private enterprise techniques.
"This will allow us to support the warfighter in the field in a much better fashion. It will be quicker and more visible in the supply chain.
"We want to provide the best possible service to our customers."
It is called the Strategic Distribution Management Initiative. MTMC is playing a key part in this joint U.S. Transportation Command and Defense Logistics Agency project.
The essence of the initiative is to improve the supply chain management for the military.
"We want to streamline the process end-to-end," said Robyn Hamill, of the Distribution Analysis Center. "When we are done we will have a far superior system. The stakeholders are the military services-Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines and Defense Logistics Agency"
MTMC's role in the initiative is to focus on global surface distribution-that is freight delivered by land and water.
The objective is to transform existing freight movement practices to commercial applications and in the process eliminate delays and improve customer confidence in the system. Our goal is to improve the Department of Defense's force projection and sustainment capabilities by moving material in a reliable and predictable manner.
"We want the system to be streamlined," said Hamill. "We visualize a future where freight movements are in almost continuous movement. There are no delays at dockside and at trucking firm loading docks."
The MTMC effort is concentrated in a surface transportation committee led by Frank Galluzzo, director, Distribution Analysis Center. There are a dozen members who represent all the military services and defense agencies.
The committee is chaired by Maj. Gen. Kenneth L. Privratsky.
Currently, there are a number of freight transportation challenges:
* Cargo movements are delayed due to cumbersome, layered processes.
* A lack of synchronization leads to some duplicated military transportation efforts.
* Freight is often not "visible" as it moves through supply channels.
"We want to end up with a smaller logistical footprint," said Hamill. "Our goal is to actually move freight much more efficiently-with less resources."
Two other committees will be looking at air distribution and at stockage management.
One of the first major efforts of the surface distribution committee is to move MTMC to conduct a test on the direct booking of shipping containers.
Currently, MTMC's International Booking System ships containers- through private transportation companies-for customers.
It is a lengthy process and, on average, takes days to complete versus hours in the commercial sector.
Under the direct booking concept, MTMC establish a system that would allow customers to work directly with carriers.
The expected result? Freight, said Moore, is expected to move faster and with more visibility.
"We want to reduce the customer wait time, the time it a takes the customer to place an order to the time the customer receives the order," said Moore.
Freight will be delivered in a timely manner, said Moore.
"I think it's exciting because we have a chance to transform the transportation distribution system and really make a difference for our customers," said Moore. "That is why we are here.
"We support the service member in the field."
Change will be coming -- and quickly," said Hamill.
"It is a changing paradigm," said Hamill. "It is just what is in the MTMC Strategic Plan.
"It is an honor to be part of this effort." (FROM MILITARY TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS).
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