LEESBURG, Va. -- Brig. Gen. Roger R. Machut, commanding general of 4th Marine Logistics Group, hosted a commander’s conference here, May 3-4, to discuss and identify methods the 4th MLG can implement to support Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James F. Amos’ “Reawakening” directive.
The conference consisted of leadership from all over the MLG including regimental commanders, battalion commanders, and battalion inspector-instructors. Regimental and battalion-level sergeants major and designated headquarters staff were also in attendance.
Machut’s opening remarks set the tone for the two-day event.
“Twelve years of a land battle for an amphibious force can shake you down to the core,” said Machut. “We can’t simply reset to 2001, we have to redefine ourselves and move forward.”
The challenge presented to Machut and his staff is translating the commandant’s directive to the reserve component. The command has to connect with reserve Marines while they’re in their civilian roles. How do they implement effective leadership the “other 28 days” when their Marines aren’t drilling? In the course of the conference, Machut posed that very question to Sgt. Maj. Gary Smith, senior enlisted advisor of 4th MLG.
In a breakout discussion lead by Smith, he and other senior enlisted leaders addressed a campaign plan that would help better implement “The Reawakening.” Smith returned with the consensus that it starts with better educating their Marines.
“Professional military education is how we improve our Marines,” said Smith. “I guarantee that if you send your Marines to corporals courses and to sergeants courses it will be a direct investment in our organization. This is how we educate our future. This is how we educate our replacements.”
MLG leaders also discussed their ongoing operational roles in the post-war climate.
Lt. Gen. William M. Faulkner, deputy commandant for installations and logistics visited the conference and spoke about the logistical challenges in the midst of the military drawdown.
“The most difficult thing for logisticians is getting gear out [of theater],” said Faulkner, adding that there has been great success in doing so.
Since the height of the troop surge, the Marine Corps has seen an 81% reduction in principle end items and expects to see more in the coming months.
Faulkner elaborated further saying that disposing of the equipment in theater is a cost effective strategy, because some of the equipment is either obsolete or would cost more to bring back and dispose of in the U.S.
Addressing these important and pressing issues in the Corps’ logistics community and within the 4th MLG was the primary objective for the conference. It provided MLG leaders a setting that helped build stronger working relationships and improve collective effectiveness.