Photo Information

A myriad of supplies await transport by elements of Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward) aboard Forward Operating Base Nolay, Afghanistan Oct. 16, 2011. The battalion was acknowledged recently by the Defense Logistics Agency for requisitioning $1.8 million in gear during Fiscal Year 2011. Requisitioning and redistributing repair parts was of heightened importance in theater in order to maintain and repair the myriad of tactical vehicles needed for combat logistics patrols. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Justin J. Shemanski)

Photo by Sgt. Justin J. Shemanski

Combat Logistics Battalion 6 earns ‘Million Dollar Board’ spot

4 May 2012 | Staff Sgt. Justin J. Shemanski 2nd Marine Logistics Group

Combat Logistics Battalion 6 was acknowledged recently by the Defense Logistics Agency for requisitioning $1.8 million in gear during Fiscal Year 2011.

The agency’s “Million Dollar Board” tracks reuse of gear already acquired by each branch of the armed forces. CLB-6, a subordinate command of 2nd Marine Logistics Group, cleared $1 million in savings – the fourth highest amount by a single entity within the Corps.

The battalion achieved this remarkable feat while deployed to Afghanistan for seven months last year and according to 1st Lt. Hannah Paxton, the CLB-6 supply officer, savings is one side of a two part goal for every supply Marine.

“Given the nature of the combat environment, lead times for requisitions are significantly greater than in garrison,” said Paxton, of Lima, Ohio. “That being the case, the goal is to obtain repair parts as expeditiously as possible using all means available, but to also save the most money.”

Paxton explained that given the combat support mission of CLB-6, requisitioning and obtaining repair parts was of heightened importance in theater in order to maintain and repair the myriad of tactical vehicles needed for combat logistics patrols. This principle ensured the Marines on the ground received the support and supplies necessary for their own welfare and mission accomplishment.

While the immediate perks are obvious, reutilizing gear in any capacity has effects far beyond the battlefield and budget. Using and redistributing already available gear reduces the need for a new product to be manufactured, thus reducing energy and resource consumption.

“It would be great if we could quantify the environmental benefits from reuse – extending the service life of any object clearly reduces natural resource extractions and energy consumption,” said Kenneth MacNevin, the chief of public affairs for DLA Disposition Services. “Yes, it will eventually be worn out or totally obsolete, but discarding something already paid for before you need to means we have to pay for its replacement sooner than we would need to.

“…And when you multiply that by the millions of kinds of things the [Department of Defense] uses, it’s a big dollar and environmental impact savings.” Within the military, excess for one unit can equal a potential source of supply for another.

MacNevin noted that the potential for reuse can even transcend armed forces use. After an additional period of time, federal, state and local agencies can requisition items from DLA, which the military has no use for, though the military always has top priority.

“We hope that more and more units in all the services will turn to us as a normal source of supply, seeing if we have what they need before they spend the money,” said MacNevin, while he also highlighted the importance of caring for property, even though it may be considered excess.

“…So when they turn it in to us it remains a useful asset for some other unit,” he concluded.


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