Posted on Aug 10, 2014
Supply Chain and Logistics - The one skill we ALL can do and transfer to a civilian career
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Supply chain management has become quite the thing in business.
Business executives recognize the value to their profits and sustainability that good supply chain management brings to the table.
Even thought they see the value, according to a recent survey from PwC, less than 15% of CEOs believed their current supply chain could survive a major disruption like a hurricane, labor strike, or war.
That means 85% of companies would feel the pain of a major disaster.
And yet, this is something our experience, no matter what your MOS or designation, allows us to do and add value to a company.
We know how to plan and manage logistics and supply chains to support operations.
As you can see, there are a lot of companies that need this skill.
How would you feel about a career in supply chain management?
Business executives recognize the value to their profits and sustainability that good supply chain management brings to the table.
Even thought they see the value, according to a recent survey from PwC, less than 15% of CEOs believed their current supply chain could survive a major disruption like a hurricane, labor strike, or war.
That means 85% of companies would feel the pain of a major disaster.
And yet, this is something our experience, no matter what your MOS or designation, allows us to do and add value to a company.
We know how to plan and manage logistics and supply chains to support operations.
As you can see, there are a lot of companies that need this skill.
How would you feel about a career in supply chain management?
Supply
Logistics
Procurement
Supply Chain Management
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 5
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As an Army Logistician I would probably really enjoy a career in supply chain management or a similar logistics based field. I have six years of experience under my belt so far, with one of my best experiences being both the company commander and the SPO for an Ordnance Battalion responsible for 5 ammunition depots in southern Japan that supported all of PACOM and USARJ's ammo needs. I learned a ton about ammo storage, shipment, surveillance, forcasting, and safety/hazmat in those positions! I figure once I get a masters degree in supply chain management or logistics I will look a lot more valuable to a company whenever I do decide to hang up the uniform. Everyone needs logistics! I plan on maximizing my experience and knowledge as much as possible to better serve the Army and then using that to further a fulfilling civilian career when I feel the time is right.
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Maj Randall Mauldin
Hi Matthew, You have great experience and all of it would be considered supply chain management experience. Enjoy your time with the Army. There is no limit to how far you can go or where you can serve in your chosen career field.
When you decide to transition, consider the industry where you want to start your next career, then look for the certification that the industry understands and values. There are lots of folks with Masters Degrees, so you will want something that makes you stand out and tells people you are valuable in that industry.
The certification will do this and compliment your Masters degree by telling a prospective employer that you have met a higher standard set by a professional organization in the same way an accountant becomes a CPA.
A certification will help you with the challenge of articulating your experience in a way that civilians understand. You see, they understand the standards of the certification and how it applies to their company in the same way we all understand the capabilities of a particular MOS and/or Rank. So, to help them understand the value you bring to the table, certification helps.
You are correct, "Everyone needs logistics" but not everyone has the same understanding of the definition of logistics.
How can we make sure we are speaking from the same point of view?
Semper Fi,
Randy
When you decide to transition, consider the industry where you want to start your next career, then look for the certification that the industry understands and values. There are lots of folks with Masters Degrees, so you will want something that makes you stand out and tells people you are valuable in that industry.
The certification will do this and compliment your Masters degree by telling a prospective employer that you have met a higher standard set by a professional organization in the same way an accountant becomes a CPA.
A certification will help you with the challenge of articulating your experience in a way that civilians understand. You see, they understand the standards of the certification and how it applies to their company in the same way we all understand the capabilities of a particular MOS and/or Rank. So, to help them understand the value you bring to the table, certification helps.
You are correct, "Everyone needs logistics" but not everyone has the same understanding of the definition of logistics.
How can we make sure we are speaking from the same point of view?
Semper Fi,
Randy
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CPT (Join to see)
MAJ Mauldin, excellent points on certification, sir! I agree that articulating experience in a way that civilian employers understand can be a major challenge for many servicemembers making the transition to a civilian career field. Finding the right certifications sounds like the key to landing the job you want in a chosen industry. In regards to how we can make sure we are speaking from the same point of view, I think it is important for servicemembers to learn the civilian equivalent for the positions we currently hold and then learn the qualifications and certifications that would be necessary to hold those jobs in the civilian sector. For example, an 88M truck driver in the Army would most likely need a CDL to hold the equivalent civilian position. The military usually views logistics as a system that flows from the resource to the customer unit. If we can understand how the same process works on the civilian side, we will be better able to articulate where and how we fit into the chain. This will show the value of logisticians being both strong and flexible links in a supply chain.
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Suspended Profile
The statement above is very accurate about supply chain risks and how companies have strategies around mitigating those risks. I think the military does a great job with managing of the logistics aspect of their supply chains but do they do a good job when it comes to managing the category of suppliers?
Suspended Profile
Veterans need to realize that the majority of government suppliers feel that cost is the sole driver to gain and sustain business. Hence quality, reliability is not as favorable as they could be.
Maj Randall Mauldin
Hi Jarrod, I agree that the military does a great job managing logistics, putting the right stuff in the right place at the right time. Managing category spending is difficult at the tactical level and even the operational level because the focus is not on cost savings, but instead on accomplishing the mission. I believe this is the correct focus.
Instead, category management is at the strategic/political level because military spending is used to drive economic development and is managed with the Federal Acquisition Regulations.
What's really interesting is that acquisition professionals provide and purchase based on a requirement established by the end user. The challenge remains getting a clear requirement from the end user and that takes time and effort. Not only does the acquisition pro need to ask what is the requirement, but also the end user needs to give good answers. If the end user wants higher quality and reliability, then that needs to be a priority in the requirement and evaluated in the selection process.
How can we learn what the end-user really wants and more importantly needs to accomplish the mission so that best value is more important than lowest cost?
Instead, category management is at the strategic/political level because military spending is used to drive economic development and is managed with the Federal Acquisition Regulations.
What's really interesting is that acquisition professionals provide and purchase based on a requirement established by the end user. The challenge remains getting a clear requirement from the end user and that takes time and effort. Not only does the acquisition pro need to ask what is the requirement, but also the end user needs to give good answers. If the end user wants higher quality and reliability, then that needs to be a priority in the requirement and evaluated in the selection process.
How can we learn what the end-user really wants and more importantly needs to accomplish the mission so that best value is more important than lowest cost?
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Sir, if only I was retired by now and not having 5 more years to go, I would be quite interested in supply chain management. I'm hoping to get accepted for Army Acquisitions which deals with logistics here. I've always wanted to be in logistics and know it can provide a great career while on duty and after the Army.
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Maj Randall Mauldin
Hi Jacob, Best of luck getting accepted to Army Acquisitions. Buying stuff for the government is very interesting. People believe the military has an unlimited budget, but we know that is not the case. How well you manage different programs will determine not only the success of the program, but also the success of the Army in battle.
You should check out the movie Pentagon Wars (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0144550/). A comedy that highlights illustrates the process. Keep in mind the movie centers around the culture in the 80s and much has changed in regards to checks and balances. It is great way to see how things work.
Semper Fi, Randy
You should check out the movie Pentagon Wars (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0144550/). A comedy that highlights illustrates the process. Keep in mind the movie centers around the culture in the 80s and much has changed in regards to checks and balances. It is great way to see how things work.
Semper Fi, Randy
The Pentagon Wars (TV Movie 1998)
Directed by Richard Benjamin. With Kelsey Grammer, Cary Elwes, Viola Davis, John C. McGinley. Story of a cover up in the military.
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