Email   Print   Share By Command Sgt. Maj. Arthur L. Coleman Jr., III Corps and Fort Hood Command Sergeant Major

Facebook Digg Delicious July 12, 2012 | Editorial

For the last decade, many of us have become accustomed to deploying and falling in on equipment left behind by the unit we replaced. Additionally, when it was your unit’s turn to redeploy, you simply left the equipment for the next unit. This was necessary and cost effective, but I believe this technique has eroded some of the basics of our unit-level maintenance program.

Make no mistake about it: unit-level maintenance is absolutely critical to establishing a unit that is mission ready and capable. The basics of unit-level maintenance begin with operator-level preventive maintenance checks and services. This is the foundation of field-level maintenance. If executed regularly and to a high standard, it will help to identify and correct faults and ensure required services are performed on all assigned equipment.

Leaders must be involved in the maintenance program to ensure its effectiveness. Command emphasis will help set the conditions for success, but noncommissioned officers must be at the tip of the spear when it comes to enforcing the standards of equipment maintenance.

NCOs must coach and teach their Soldiers on how to conduct PMCS and the importance of operator-level maintenance so that they will understand what right looks like. You can’t just tell your Soldiers to go to the motor pool and do a PMCS on a vehicle without showing them how to do it properly, and ensuring they have the right resources.

Training schedules should reflect a specific time for operator PMCS on a weekly basis. This time should be protected and enforced. NCOs must make sure Soldiers are focused on this task. It should not just be a space on the training schedule.

Additionally, units must establish strict quality control procedures for repairs and scheduled services. Nothing is more discouraging than having a piece of equipment – a vital piece of equipment – breakdown when you need it most. Establishing procedures for repairs and services will greatly minimize this risk.

Maintenance at the unit level is where the rubber meets the road. Leaders must understand that part of taking care of our Soldiers and Families is ensuring that our Soldiers work with equipment that is well-maintained and ready for the mission. Don’t let your unit experience the pain and issues associated with a breakdown in maintenance procedures. Make unit-level maintenance a top priority in your unit.

Phantom Warriors! Army Strong!