assignment

           Contracting support operations play a critical role in the success of Army operations.  Regardless of the location for an operation, contractors and contracting support serve receive a point of emphasis for planning and execution.  The Command Sergeant Major (CSM) or Sergeant Major (SGM) must know the impacts contracting has on mission success as well as ensure proper oversight to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse.  

             The utilization of contracting and presence of contractors at Army installations persists both within the United States and at operating bases around the world.  At one point during operations within Central Command, contractors numbered so high that “the ratio of contractor to military personnel was 1 to 1” (Gould, 2012, p. 24).  The purpose and mission of these contractors vary; however, one point is clear: the purpose of each is necessary for mission accomplishment.  This means the utilization of contractors frees up Soldiers for their wartime mission, equating contracting to a “significant force multiplier” (Department of Defense, 2019, p. I-11). 

CSM or SGM must know the different functions supported by contractors.  Contractors receive assignments in logistics, maintenance, sanitation, and security, just to name a few.  Without utilizing contracting, senior leaders would need to assign Soldiers to these duties.  The ability to eliminate support duties for Soldiers reinforces the importance of contracting for the Army.  However, senior enlisted leaders must understand the contracting process and ensure contractors follow the contracts as written.  This helps to ensure fiscal responsibility and eliminate waste.

            The CSM or SGM must know the impacts contracting has on mission success as well as ensure proper oversight to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse.  Contracting enhances a unit’s ability to achieve mission success by reassigning support roles from Soldiers to contractors.  The increase of manpower for unit leadership increases lethality.

References:

Department of the Defense. (2019). Operational contract support (JP 4-10). Retrieved from https://www.jcs.mil/Portals/36/Documents/Doctrine/pubs/jp4_10.pdf?ver=2019-04-12-133833-707.

Gould, R.. (2012). “Operational contract support: Not just for contingencies.” Army Sustainment, 44(4), 24-26.