New DoD supply chain focuses on warfighters. (Government and NDTA News).

The Department of Defense will reshape and form its supply chain management system to one that more closely resembles its commercial counterparts.

That is the promise of Early Boyanton Jr., Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Transportation Policy). "The Department of Defense

"We're past the point where we say we're different," he said. The key goal is support to the warfighters. "We are focused on them (warfighter). That is exactly the customer." Many commercial processes such as time-definite delivery will be used to "maximize" warfighter support, he said.

Other topics addressed in his speech included the Military Traffic Management Command's development of the Future Personal Property Program. "The folks at MTMC are leading the charge with the services," said Boyanton. "The new program will embody many of the elements of the (personal property) pilots. "They are going to fix the claims process. They are going to find ways so service members experience less pain when there is a loss. The member is left a long way from full replacement (value)."

The new program will include more control in shipments and in-transit visibilty. More organized moves will lead to reduce the costs and damage associated with temporary storage. "The savings in temporary storage will offset the prices the services will have to pay," said Boyanton.

The biggest factor in the new program will be increased costs of 10 to 15 percent. Military budget planners will have to find these added funds in the fiscal year 2004 budget if MTMC is to stay on schedule.

A member of the audience asked Boyanton about a recent general officer review meeting on the program. "I would characterize it as unanimous support for the program," said Boyanton.

Prior to this appointment, Boyanton was the Midwest operations manager for Stanley Associates, Inc., near Scott Air Force Base, Ill. Boyanton is a 28-year veteran of the US Air Force. His career assignments included Pentagon duty and work in such areas as transportation, joint strategic mobility operations and joint crisis action duties.