The Battle Command Sustainment Support System: The Army's Command and Control System for Logistics

Abstract

Army commanders on the battlefields in Iraq and Afghanistan lead their forces using a computer-enhanced communications network allowing them to stay connected with dispersed elements and maintain a high level of situation awareness (SA) of their subordinate's operations. However, does the Army have a sufficiently capable computer system for logistics? Is the Army ensuring the system selected provides value added to commanders? The Battle Command Sustainment Support System (BCS3) is the battle command system for logistics that helps commanders filter critical logistics information. A CASCOM assessment in 2005 ensured the BCS3 would be the replacement for the Combat Service Support Control System as the core element within the Army Battle Command System (ABCS). The BCS3 provides commanders the core competencies of a logistics common operating picture, logistics reporting, convoy operations, Reception, Staging, Onward Movement, and Integration, and commodity tracking. Although the BCS3 is a highly capable system, there are significant costs in procuring and fielding the system as well as in training. As good stewards of resources, Army leaders must assess if these costs are followed by an adequate return on investment. The initial assessment by CASCOM did not identify all the potential pitfalls of the system and there is evidence that the end users are not accepting and using the system as designed. A new assessment is required and a review of successful implementation of battle command systems may provide insight of how to move forward. The argument concludes with some recommendations for the BCS3 program through describing changes to Doctrine, Organization, Training, Management, Leadership and Education, Personnel, and Facilities (DOTMLPF).

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 21, 2009
Accession Number
ADA506268

Entities

People

  • Thomas E. Sachariason

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • C4I
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Business Administration
  • Command And Control
  • Command And Control Systems
  • Computers
  • Control Systems
  • Doctrine
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Information Systems
  • Lessons Learned
  • Logistics
  • Management Personnel
  • Personnel Management
  • Situational Awareness
  • Students
  • Supply Depots
  • War Colleges

Readers

  • Enterprise Information Systems Architecture and Joint Command Capability Interoperability Support.
  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.
  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.

Technology Areas

  • Fully Networked C3
  • Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control