Posted on Mar 8, 2015
SGT Supply Sergeant (S4)
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Anytime I ask why the Army does anything, the answer is "Train as you fight". I am a supply guy. I suggested ordering and receiving supplies in a more up to date way. Of course, someone said "Train as you fight".
Now, I think that motto is a good one, but I find it hard to do when all I need is T.P and green books. Has that motto been given to you, when it totally doesn't apply to the situation? I look forward to the laugh.
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Responses: 3
Cpl Michael Strickler
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Train as you fight does not sound to me like it applies here either. (I am not a supply guy either).

To me walmart idea sounds good, though I feel it should not be you going to walmart, it should be a unit representative to ensure that everything is budgeted, accounted for, not double bought, etc.

To apply train as you fight to me is two things. "KISS" (Keep it simple stupid) and "Slow is smooth, smooth is fast." In this situation KISS applies. Red tape, hoops, etc. are not simple. That is how mistakes are made and those mistakes lead to problems.
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SGT Jim Z.
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Yes that is the is a philosophical answer and it was told to me many times. However, if you have a better way to do something make the process better submit to the https://asp.hqda.pentagon.mil/public/default.htm
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SGT Behavioral Health Specialist
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I have to say in my personal experience it was effective. We did mine sweeping, dismounted route clearance, convoys, platoon sized movements and so on. All of which we used. 
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
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I always learned it "You fight like you train" which means if you are lackadaisical in training, it will show when you are fighting. Or in computer programming terms "Garbage in, Garbage out."

You're only going to get out of training, what you put into it. So the idea of training hard, so you can fight hard makes sense.

On the supply side, I imagine you are talking about shifting to a more "just in time" delivery method?
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SGT Supply Sergeant (S4)
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Close, Srg. I just believe we should have a "wal-mart" type place on post, and our company funds total stored at that "wal-mart". Then, when we need things for the company, we just go there and are held to our budget. If we need something they don't have, we order it through them.
Instead, we order through PBUSE, that order is sent to someone in finance, then ordered. Then, you wait 3- forever days until it comes in. Then, it might not be exactly what you wanted because they changed NSN's, or I punched a wrong number, or the SSA decided to give me this instead of what I asked for. It seems like such a money wasting system.
Bu,, Train as you Fight!
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
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SGT (Join to see) Keep in mind, I'm NOT a supply guy, however I have had to use unit funds to order before. Here's how we do (did) it.

1) We had a store on base for administrative supplies. Go in with unit purchase card (not a CC, but similar). Grab what we needed, but make sure we were under budget.

2) If we needed something that wasn't there, get Government Credit Card from out Card Holder, with approval for X amount, after writing a justification letter, and researching that it wasn't available via supply system. If it was, order via NSN.

3) Order via supply system. (NSN) Double check the number. Include the "Do not substitute" tags (if they still exist).

With all its red tape, the system has its advantages. It also adheres to federal laws like the Buy American Act, and the Berry Amendment (if you're not familiar with them, check them out). Those two laws give government procuring agents nightmares. Sure, things can always move faster, but faster isn't always better, and believe it or not, less expensive isn't either. Little things like screws have to go through a process to ensure they are made of US Steel so they don't shred when used the way we use them, which is a major safety issue.
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