This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
rines ashore to fight inland. What I’ve done is pressurized the acqui- sition process to do this faster. I used [development of] the MRAP [Mine Resistant Ambush Protected] vehicle as our poster child. MRAP saved lives. There are lessons to be learned with MRAP about exigency in program development and the acquisition timeline. We can do rapid fielding of items


like ballistic underwear for our [servicemembers] in Afghanistan, if we buy commercial off-the-shelf. But with development, as with an amphibious tractor, the standard acquisition timeline doesn’t support anything being rapid. The process gets in the way of requirements. When I was looking at canceling


the EFV, the acquisition guys said, “Sir, we understand why you want to do this. But you need to know it will be 2024 before you can have an initial operational capability for a new amphibious combat vehicle.” I picked up the heaviest thing I had in my office and threw it at them. I said, “Therein lies the prob- lem, ladies and gentlemen. You’re telling me it will take 14 years to get requirements right, develop this thing, source select, test, and then field initial capability? You’re crazy.” That’s when I pressurized industry. “Before I give up com- mand of the Marine Corps in four years,” I said, “I will drive the am- phibious combat vehicle to water in the Potomac River.”


You’re confident of that? I’m absolutely confident. Industry has the message. The Marine Corps’ head of requirements needs to work with engineers in development to figure out what’s good enough. Am I going to gold plate this so it takes 10 years and another $10 billion, or can I get an 80-[percent]


[CONTINUES ON PAGE 82]


PHOTOS: FROM TOP, COURTESY 1ST MARINES LOGISTICS GROUP; COURTESY LOCKHEED MARTIN; LANCE CPL. JERRICK J. GRIFFIN, USMC


NOVEMBER 2011 MILITARY OFFICER 55


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108