Photo By Eben Boothby | Gen. Charles Hamilton, Army Materiel Command commanding general, speaks to the...... read more read more
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REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. – The strategic importance of the 23 depots, arsenals and ammunition plants that manufacture, reset and maintain Army equipment continues to grow as the Army prepares for future large scale combat operations.
That was the message Army Materiel Command’s top leader Gen. Charles Hamilton had for Organic Industrial Base commanders who attended the OIB Commander’s Summit at Redstone Arsenal, March 21-22.
“The center of gravity for the next large scale combat operations is the OIB, the Defense Industrial Base and the Joint Strategic Support Area, so we have to start planning and hardening our processes in a contested environment,” said Hamilton.
Hamilton, who took command of AMC the week before the OIB Summit, referenced a quote from Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville at the Change of Command ceremony, saying that Hamilton was bad for the adversary.
“I kind of think like they do, and I would think, ‘how can I slow this machine down,’” said Hamilton. “They know it’s too late when they have to deal with our maneuver force, but if they can slow us, they know they will have some success. So, we have to think of a way that in a contested environment that doesn’t happen.”
Hamilton said that means taking advantage of the Army’s 15-year OIB Modernization Plan, which will modernize facilities, processes and people to bring the OIB into the 21st century, infuse industry best practices and refine human capital management structures to maximize the skills and capabilities of the workforce.
“I need this team to be all you can be and pull this together and make it happen,” said Hamilton. “This is about spending money correctly, in the right place, at the right time or for the right modernization efforts.
We can’t sit on the laurels of the last 10-20 years, saying ‘this process works.’ Let’s think about how we are going to be leaner; let’s think about how we are going to be faster, and let’s think about how we are going to protect our commodities and out facilities.”
Marion Whicker, AMC executive deputy to the commanding general, who chaired the OIB Summit, said the purpose of these regular events is to track the progress of where the depots, arsenals and ammunition plants are throughout the year.
“This is a chance to see where we are at and share our challenges with each other,” said Whicker, who emphasized the importance of being ready to execute modernization efforts when money is available. “This is an opportunity to make sure we are shovel ready and postured to execute.”
Hamilton said the OIB Modernization Implementation Plan is personal for him because he has a son serving in the Army.
“I’m counting on us to have him set by the time he is a battalion or brigade commander, if he decides to stay that long, before we launch into the next fight,” he said. “It’s going to happen. It’s never not happened in history. So, we have to count on it, and when it does happen, we have to ready and we have to be fast. The rest of the Army and DOD are counting on us.”
| Date Taken: | 03.23.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 03.27.2023 10:23 |
| Story ID: | 441240 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 72 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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