1. The Materiel Readiness of the Future 1
The Materiel Readiness of the Future
CW4 Edil A. Gonzalez
Senior Materiel Integration Officer
Programs, Engineering & Operations
US Army Research, Development, and Engineering Command

2. The Materiel Readiness of the Future 2
The Materiel Readiness of the Future
Reflection time! As I sit here as the Senior Materiel Integration Officer for the
Research, Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM), it’s hard to believe
that 24 years has gone by so fast. But as I reflect, I marvel the transformation of the
Army: Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle (CUCV), High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled
Vehicle (HMMWV), UH-1, M1 Abrams, UH-60, Strykers, Apache Helicopters,
Lightweight Tactical All-Terrain Vehicle (LTATV), Patriot Missile Systems, and Mine-
Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) etc. I also recall conducting maintenance in the
early nineties: Manual 2404s, Manual Army Materiel Status System Reports (AMSS),
Unit Level Logistics System – Ground (ULLS-G) reports (which took forever to print),
Parts Installing, Service Schedules, Recovery Missions, Report of Surveys, and
Shortage Annex. Where did all these things go? Well folks, as time passes by, it is
called New Technology Advances, and if you are not ready for the train, the train will
pass and leave you behind because there is no stopping or looking back anymore.
As much as we think that things have changed, much of it stays the same. For
some people, new emerging technology can be pretty scary but as technicians we are
called the subject matter experts for a good reason. As technical experts in our field, we
are system specialists and integrators, critical to Army readiness, and we must stay on
top of current technologies and at the same time look at emerging technologies so as to
forecast implementation of sustainment and training.
The Army Operating Concept (TRADOC Pamplet 525-3-1) describe the future
Armed Forces as part of a Joint, Inter-organizational, and Multinational (JIM) effort, that

3. The Materiel Readiness of the Future 3
operates to protect U.S. national interest and accomplish campaign objectives. We all
must be prepared to fight and win in a complex world, which is unknown and
unknowable (The Army Warrant Officer 2025 Strategy, 2016). For the most part, we
have done this by maintaining the readiness of our Soldiers and equipment at all levels.
Keeping in mind that the Army’s #1 priority is “Readiness.” The U.S. Army Materiel
Command (AMC) Commander’s Guidance is to ensure that the Army remains ready as
the world’s premier combat force (AMC Today, 2016). Here are a few items that we
need to keep in consideration as we move forward into the future:
• Understand the enemies, threats, and try to forecast the future operating
environment and future missions.
• Evaluate the Future Force with realistic scenarios.
• Refine concepts to maintain a strong foundation for Future Force
development.
• Identify capability gaps and opportunities to improve Future Force
effectiveness.
• Design the Future Force and develop strategies to ensure that Army forces
are prepared to accomplish missions while operating as part of joint, inter-
organizational, and multinational teams (Unified Quest, 2016).
• Know the 5Ws
Let’s look at what the 5Ws are!

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Why do we have to be prepared and ready? This sounds like an easy question
but it is very complicated, and it drives all the other Ws. The answer is because our
primary duty is to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies,
foreign and domestic. Indeed, as the emerging threats - foreign and domestic –
continue to evolve, the Army has the duty to combat them with new and efficient
methods. Such reality, informs us that the battlefields of the future is cyberspace,
megacities etc. will continue to be unlike the ones of the past. Therefore, it is imperative
that we remain the dominant Army in the world in all areas, including owning the
technological edge.
What is going to be the equipment of the future? It is important for technicians to
keep abreast of the many new technologies on the horizon and the Army’s acquisition of
the future. As stated by the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command
(TRADOC) Commander, there are 6 new initiatives in the Army Operating Concept
Pamphlet, they are called the “Big 6+1,” similar to the Big 5 back in the seventies: a new
tank, a new infantry combat vehicle, a new attack helicopter, a new transport helicopter,
and a new antiaircraft missile (Meneghini, 2016). The Big 6+1 will affect all of us and will
consist of (not in a particular importance order):
• Future Vertical Lift
• Advanced Protection
• Cross Domain Fires
• Combat Vehicles

5. The Materiel Readiness of the Future 5
• Expeditionary Mission Command / Cyber Electromagnetic
• Robotics / Autonomous Systems (RAS)
With a cross cutting capability (+1) of:
• Soldier/Team Performance and Overmatch
Who needs to be abreast of the new equipment? We all need to. Whatever your
specialty is: Field Artillery Targeting Technician, Patriot System Technician, UH-60 Pilot,
Special Forces Warrant Officer, Terrain Analyst Technician, Network Management
Technician, Imagery Intelligence Technician, Ammunition Warrant Officer, Property
Accounting Technician, or Mobility Officer, these new technologies are going to have a
significant impact in all formations of the future. To stay on top of new acquisitions and
gap capability development, the Army relies on the Army Requirements Oversight
Council (AROC). The members and advisors advise the Chief of Staff of the Army in the
assessment and prioritization of integrated capabilities. From my vantage point, I will
predict that the Army Centers of Excellence will play a significant role in future
equipment fielding in order to prevent gaps in training and readiness.
When is the new technology being delivered? Timelines differ from equipment to
equipment. However, technicians must know the delivery times of their equipment so as
to better forecast and execute new equipment fielding and training. Often, because it
takes a long time to field new equipment for capability gaps, many technicians feel it is
pointless to remain engaged in the process. This rationale can be counterproductive. In
fact, early engagement in the process is the strategic thing to do, and can make a
difference in the utilization of the equipment. Furthermore, it is significantly difficult to

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change modules and equipment in the development and manufacturing phases. And so,
it is important to support and participate in the War Fighter Exercises, Innovation
Summits, and provide feedback to Science and Technology (S&T) advisors, and Field
Assistance in Science and Technology (FAST) advisors.
So, how do we remain relevant as subject matter experts? To remain relevant,
Technicians must adopt a mindset that goes beyond just doing their jobs. Technicians
must keep abreast of emerging technologies and remain engaged in current capability
gaps in order to make a difference in current and future battlefields.
“Inform the future, as it may be here sooner than you realize”

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References:
AMC Today. January – March 2016. AMC Delivers the Army’s #1 Priority: Readiness.
Retrieved from http://amctoday.rvrapid.com/?iid=135973#folio=1
Meneghini, M. July 2016. Army Warfighters Science and Technology Needs. Retrieved
from https://www.us.army.mil/suite/files/45941754
The Army Operating Concept. October 2014. TRADOC Pamplet 525-3-1. Retrieved
from http://www.tradoc.army.mil/tpubs/pams/TP525-3-1.pdf
The Army Warrant Officer 2025 Strategy. 2016. Retrieved from
http://tradoc.army.mil/tpubs/misc/WO2025_Strategy_20160329.pdf
Unified Quest 2016. 2016. Retrieved from http://uq16.cubic.com/