Quartermasters Responsible for Unclassified Maps
Albert P. Bell
| EDITOR’S NOTE: This information updates an article by the author entitled "Map Doctrine Changes Involve Quartermasters" in the Winter 1996 edition of the Quartermaster Professional Bulletin. The Bulletin’s previous issues are archived back to 1995 under Professional Bulletin at www.quartermaster.army.mil on the Quartermaster Home Page. |
Despite the shift in responsibility for supplying unclassified maps from the S2 (Intelligence Officer) to the S4 (Logistics Officer) in the late-1990s, a Central Command observer in Southwest Asia reported widespread unawareness of the Army doctrinal change during the war on terrorism last summer. Nevertheless, the Army’s automated system for ordering maps has been in place for combat service support commanders and support operations officers throughout Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Resources to assist Soldiers with ordering unclassified maps include the following official web sites: "MILSTRIP & FEDSTRIP Ordering Procedures" at http://www.dscr.dla.mil/PC9/Ordering/MilstripOrdering.htm, "How To Find a Standard NGA Product" at http://www.dscr.dla.mil/PC9/G_info/HowTo.htm, and "E-Tools Ordering Overview" at http://www.dscr.dla.mil/PC9/G_info/EtoolsOrderingOverview.htm. These three online sites originate with the Defense Supply Center Richmond (DSCR) in Richmond, VA, one of the Defense Logistics Agency’s supply centers.
Each military service has been transitioning its unclassified map distribution and ordering functions from the "intelligence shop" to the "supply shop." The Army has always required the timely provisioning of maps, charts and geodetic (MC&G) products under all circumstances. The supply of MC&G products had been historically hampered by contradictory Army doctrine, wide local variations in requisitioning and stockage procedures, and poor access to the logistics and transportation networks.
Doctrinal changes in the Quartermaster Corps mission began in 1992 when the Directorate of Combat Developments for Quartermaster at Fort Lee, VA, developed a concept titled "Operational Concept for Map Supply." The first step was concept approval to facilitate the process for ordering MC&G products. In April 1997, Headquarters, Department of Army, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics (now the Army G4) drafted a message to the field Army titled "Ordering Maps, Charts and Geodetic (MC&G) Products Through the Standard Army Retail Supply System (SARSS)." This message culminated years of hard work by representatives from Army G4, the Defense Logistics Agency, the Defense Mapping Agency (renamed the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency or NGA as referenced in official web sites), major commands and others to devise an easier method to order and distribute map products. A synopsis of that message states the following:
Both divisional and nondivisional customers process requisitions for MC&G products, using national stock numbers (NSNs) through the SARSS and the Standard Army Management Information System (STAMIS). Map stockage and issue procedures will follow the provisions of AR 710-2 (Inventory Management, Supply Policy Below the National Level) for entry of map requisitions into the Military Standard Requisitioning and Issue Procedures (MILSTRIP). Unclassified MC&G products will be included in stockage plans at General Support (GS) Class II, IV and VII supply points at Corps and TAACOM.
As a result of that message in April 1997, Quartermaster Corps proponent units assumed responsibility for general support (GS) supply and distribution of unclassified MC&G products. Map products were categorized under the Supply Category of Materiel Code (SCMC) as Class II (general supplies). All MC&G products were assigned NSNs. This was a massive cataloging effort because the map inventory exceeded 70,000 MC&G products. To facilitate the identification of map requisitions and ordering processes, new Federal Supply Classes (FSCs) were assigned. FSC 7641 represents Aeronautical products; 7642, Hydrographic; 7643, Topographic; and 7644, Digital products.
Map supply platoons were assigned to selected Quartermaster supply companies (GS) (Table of Organization and Equipment 422418L). At a minimum, map supply platoons were allocated one per supported corps support command (COSCOM) for the Active Component and one per supported theater Army area command (TAACOM) for the Reserve Component.
Existing direct support (DS) procedures did not change. All unclassified MC&G transactions are processed through existing or planned automated information systems. Unclassified maps, charts and geodetic products are included in stockage plans at GS supply points for Class II, IV (construction and barrier materiel) and VII (major end items) at corps and TAACOM. For classified MC&G products, local standing operating procedures determine requisition, stockage and distribution.
The US Army Corps of Engineers remained the proponent for topography. Engineer topographic battalions continue their responsibility for producing special maps and terrain-related products and services. These Engineer battalions also retain the ability to produce limited quantities of standard maps in the field, as required. Requests for special maps and terrain-related products go through the Engineer channels.
The Defense Distribution Mapping Activity (DDMA) provides tailored logistics support during peacetime for maps, charts and geodetic products to all Department of Defense units and authorized agencies located within the various areas of responsibility (AOR). Further, DDMA maintains selected planning and reserve operational stocks to support crisis and contingency operations. DDMA supports most customers from its main facility in Richmond, VA. DDMA also provides specific AOR support through one of its nine Map Support Offices (MSOs). Located strategically worldwide, MSOs are in Germany; Hawaii; Tampa, FL; San Diego, CA; Norfolk, VA; Italy; Japan; Bahrain; and Korea.
The point of contact for Quartermaster map doctrine is Al Bell, Logistics Management Specialist, Directorate of Combat Developments for Quartermaster, Concepts Division, US Army Combined Arms Support Command, Fort Lee, VA, at (804) 734-1167 or DSN 687-1167.