Does anybody have some good, smart systems for tracking ammo, land, and training resources?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Aug 2015 12:14:55 -0400

I've fairly recently become the guy for our battalion that works land and ammo. Most of the job is relaying requests from companies and BN operations through systems like RFMSS and TAMIS. There is a lot of manual work that could be automated.

One problem is that company commanders, XOs, PLs, and anyone else planning training doesn't know what DODICs to request, what ranges support their desired training. While we have some versions of a range book (most out of date), the information could be streamlined with requests.

Another problem is tracking ammo through the entire process--forecasting rounds, drawing rounds, tracking where rounds are stored by net explosive weight, number of rounds expended, and live and spent ammo turn ins. I'd like to have a consolidated system that tracks everything and does the math automatically.

I'm working on some solutions, but its time consuming. If you have something already built, please let me know! If not, but you're interested, stay in touch with me or this thread, because I would like to publish some good systems eventually that 1) automates all math, 2) gives all necessary information to the planners (like DODIC and range descriptions) 3) is easily visible and understood by everyone involved. A good database or system tied to everyone's Outlook calendar would probably do this, but I'm sure there are other solutions.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 29 at 2015 12:22 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Aug 2015 12:22:17 -0400

Sir for now, check with CHESS program to see if there is a deal on project management software. You can tailor it to your needs. I may have some excel documents you could use and tailor. Some other options are MS Access, Oracle or plain old excel. Hit me up on my Gmail [login to see] . I'll see what I have.

Response by SSG Jamil Spruill made Aug 29 at 2015 12:31 PM

SSG Jamil Spruill — Sat, 29 Aug 2015 12:31:22 -0400

I don't have my own system but I know Microsoft Access can simplify even the most difficult amounts of data quickly and link to Outlook mail and calendars

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 29 at 2015 12:33 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Aug 2015 12:33:54 -0400

Brass badger ammo tracker app works too on the Play Store.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 29 at 2015 12:48 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Aug 2015 12:48:51 -0400

As a Sniper Squad Leader I was allowed to go straight to Bn to resource my training. I had a list with all the DODICS that my weapons systems could use. I then had a spread sheet that consisted of date of training, training area needed, ammo needed, and class 1 needed for that excersice. This spreadsheet helped me when filling out th requests and when my useless land and ammo guys tried ti screw me. Might work for you if you break it down further by unit.

Response by MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 29 at 2015 5:49 PM

MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Aug 2015 17:49:51 -0400

I'll echo the MS Access supporters. Your fear that no one will use it after your done could be founded. However, if you build it with some user friendly forms and reports, and build a useful SOP (lots of screen shots), you might be surprised at the longevity of its future use. You'll need to do a deliberate handover though and actually make folks aware that you built and are utilizing it. If you leave and all the sudden land and ammo goes to crap again, two thing can happen. If they know you built a system that worked, they will get on the new guy about not using it. If they don't know about it, they will think that you did a poor handover of whatever your system was.

Access is easier to use than most other DB software since you don't actually need to know any SQL, it already is built do work with other office apps, and it seems that Microsoft's Office license with the Army is durable. I vehemently endorse access as the go to option.

Response by SSG Jason Neumann made Sep 4 at 2015 6:20 AM

SSG Jason Neumann — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 06:20:52 -0400

Sir, I haven't read the entire post, but I might have something that may interest you in DODICS.

Response by SSG Jason Neumann made Sep 4 at 2015 6:25 AM

SSG Jason Neumann — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 06:25:17 -0400

Biggest problem I have seen with Land and Ammo, is that units try to secure land before requesting through BN or BDE. Once this happens, it can get forgotten and the land might be RES and the unit shows up as a "No Show". This prevents other units from securing that land or range. One thing that can prevent this is that you can link sub-ordinate units to a parent unit. This allows the BN or BDE L&A NCOIC to either approve or disapprove their request. I have came into these problems where I am now and cancel their request and in the comms tab, tell them to go through their BN or BDE RFMSS or Master Gunner.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2017 5:46 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Apr 2017 17:46:09 -0400

I'm not sure if this will be seen, but there has recently been a sudden surge of departing CPTs in my unit so I have been thrown into the Land and Ammo officer position. I was wondering if you were able to develop successful and useful products for your L&A position? If so, I believe they would help me tremendously and was wondering if I could reach out to you for those products? Thank you for your consideration

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2020 4:07 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 04:07:12 -0500

Was there any update to a program that suited all of your needs?