Photo Information

Cpl. Christopher Huber, a computer repair technician with Communications Electronic Maintenance platoon, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), solders a new component into place on a circuit card aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, Aug. 31. As an alternative to buying new gear in some cases, the Marines of the Circuit Card Repair section fix electronic items down to the component level. The section has saved $105,000 over the last six months. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Bruno J. Bego)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Bruno J. Bego

CCRS Marines break $100K in equipment repair savings

1 Sep 2011 | Sgt. Justin J. Shemanski 2nd Marine Logistics Group

Saving money is a priority for everyone in current economic times and the 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward) is following suit.

Tucked away within the unit’s massive Intermediate Maintenance Activity lot aboard Camp Leatherneck is the Circuit Card Repair section, where two Marines’ skills often mean the difference between spending cents versus dollars.

“We take in end items like battery packs and chargers and circuit cards from laptop computers and radios and fix them down to the component level,” said Cpl. Zachary Moats, a radio repairman with Communications Electronic Maintenance platoon, 2nd MLG (FWD).

Swapping out a bad transistor or capacitor for a good one can mean the difference between a new $4,000 radio and a couple cents in parts, explained Moats and his colleague, Cpl. Christopher Huber, a computer repair technician.

During the last six months, the section has saved quite a significant amount of money performing repairs like this - $105,000 to be exact, while only spending approximately $800 on repair parts.

“Their whole job is to save the Marine Corps money and they do an outstanding job at what they do,” said Gunnery Sgt. Joseph Ascone, maintenance chief, Communications Electronic Maintenance platoon.

It’s a job both Marines share a genuine sense of passion for and they intend to continue increasing unit savings one day at a time.

“There’s a real sense of accomplishment in everything we do here,” said Moats.