Logisticians from the National Guard Bureau conduct a Command Logistics Review Team inspection of 21 Virginia National Guard units, shops, facilities and sections April 28-30, 2014, throughout Virginia. Supply, maintenance and food service personnel from every major subordinate command joined with inspectors for the three-day assessment. The purpose of the CLRT is to improve the overall sustainability, mobilization readiness and effectiveness of logistics operations through hands-on assistance, compliance-driven analysis and observations within the Army National Guard. (Photo by Capt. Andrew J. Czaplicki, Virginia Guard Public Affairs)
FORT PICKETT, Va. – The Virginia Army National Guard received a 93 percent compliance rating during the Command Logistics Review Team inspection April 28-30, 2014.
The purpose of the CLRT is to improve the overall sustainability, mobilization readiness and effectiveness of logistics operations through hands-on assistance, compliance-driven analysis and observations within the Army National Guard in accordance with applicable Army regulations.
A CLRT inspection combines several inspections into one major evaluation, which allows the National Guard Bureau to: evaluate each state’s logistical posture; improve logistics readiness and sustainability; collect and respond to logistics concerns that are beyond the ability of the National Guard Bureau; assist in all areas of logistics management; foster command involvement in disciplining logistics operations; provide logistics status to commanders and staff at all levels; and identify best practices that support or issues that obstruct the execution of logistics across the Army.
During this three-day inspection, 21 units, shops, facilities or sections across Virginia were inspected. Evaluated areas encompassed nearly every aspect of logistics from the state, to the brigade, to the battalion, down to company-level supply activities were assessed. Often times, the CLRT inspection surfaces compliance problems not identified by local command reviews and provides avenues for leaders to correct local standard operating procedures to ensure any identified problems needing local corrective actions are resolved.
Lt. Col. Michael H. Swanson, Virginia Army National Guard Director of Logistics, organized assistance teams to prepare the various organizations and identify areas where resources could best be applied. A year prior to the CLRT, the Logistics Directorate, or G-4, and the United States Property and Fiscal Office conducted several In-Process Reviews and workshops in preparation for the inspection.
“Soldiers can have confidence that their supply sergeants and logisticians are professional and capable of providing the support that they need,” said Swanson. “We’re obviously pretty effective and good stewards of the taxpayers’ money.”
The National Guard Bureau will compare Virginia’s results to other states’ evaluations to determine systemic logistical problems that affect individual and unit readiness. The ratings are organized with noteworthy being an average score of 96-100 percent, and are considered to exceed all regulatory or policy guidance. A satisfactory rating is a score of 85-95 percent compliant. A score of 70-84 percent requires corrective actions to bring the program into compliance. Any evaluation below 70 percent compliant is unsatisfactory and reflects significant issues.
Overall, Virginia earned 74 of a possible 80 points or 93 percent compliant and, due to receiving a satisfactory rating, Virginia will not have to be re-inspected until May of 2017.