Coast Guard Modernization Update -- C4IT Service Center Ribbon Cutting
Guest Post by VADM Cliff Pearson, Chief of Staff.
Shipmates,
Today, I was joined by ADM Allen and Congressman Jim Moran at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Coast Guard Command, Control Communications, Computers and Information Technology Service Center (C4IT SC) held at the Coast Guard Telecommunication and Information Systems Center (TISCOM) in Alexandria, VA. Today's event represents the third in a series of five new mission support entities to stand-up this spring that will provide centralized, bi-level support to power Coast Guard mission execution. This marks another significant step towards the functional realignment of the mission support organization.
We were joined by Mr. Mark Powell, who I assigned as the first Director of the C4IT SC. I have every confidence in his ability to lead the organization through its transition to full establishment by June 1st, 2009, and integrate our Service's enterprise applications, decision, communications, navigations systems, and IT Infrastructure into the Coast Guard Business model for Logistics transformation.
Upon full establishment, more than 3,000 people in the C4IT SC will execute an annual budget of over $300M to provide C4IT services in support of Coast Guard missions. Managing a diverse portfolio of services and systems ranging from enterprise computers and applications, maritime and intelligence sensors, and integrated knowledge and information systems, the C4IT SC has the lead to ensure interoperability with other DHS agencies, the Department of Defense, and numerous State and Local agencies and Port Partners. They will provide "one stop shopping" for all Coast Guard technology requirements.
The C4IT SC, Surface Forces Logistics Center, Asset Project Office, Aviation Logistics Center, with the two remaining planned logistics and service centers (Shore Infrastructure Logistics Center and Personnel Service Center) will unify logistics support enterprise-wide, forming the backbone of our improved mission support organization for sustainable mission execution excellence. In the future these logistics and services centers will embody the following four guiding principles of the proven Coast Guard business model: Bi-level maintenance, Configuration Management, Single point of accountability through Product Line Managers, and Total Asset Visibility. By modernizing our business processes and organizational design, we will help to ensure the Coast Guard meets our call to be "Always Ready."
Visit our modernization website for more details.
Posted at
2:45 PM
6 Comments:
Admiral, with both the House and Senate versions of the bill that would have allowed modernization failing, how do you see modernization progressing?
Both the house and senate have very different ideas about how you use your Flag Officers and neither are willing to budge. At what point will resolution be made?
As of today the bill has not been reintroduced and the Coast Guard is without the Four Star Vice Commandant that was promised.
Where do you see this going and what is your plan for a work-around to fulfill your vision prior to your retirement?
Mr. Burgess,
Modernization is progressing very well. We are building out our new organization in functional segments, not unlike the process for software development. For that reason we are calling this first segment of reprogramming "Version 1.0" of our new organization. Key functions of the Version 1.0 organizational design include the Coast Guard Operations Command (CG OPCOM), the Coast Guard Force Readiness Command (CG FORCECOM), as well as the five Logistics/Service Centers mentioned above. Our implementation is beginning with version 1.0 because we need legislative authority to fully realize our overall envisioned plans for modernization.
To that end, as I have previously mentioned, I am encouraged by the level of external support we have received for our modernization efforts. Both the House and the Senate endorsed the Legislative Change Proposal which would authorize our full modernization plans. Although this legislative change was not passed in the last Congress, we are working closely with our oversight committees to facilitate passage of this legislation by the 111th Congress as quickly as possible. I appreciate the support Chairman Cummings, Congressman Ruppersburger and Congressman Moran have shown for our modernization efforts while participating in ribbon-cuttings for the Surface Forces Logistics Center and the C4IT Service Center.
In the meantime, we will continue to move forward to advance as much as we can within the bounds of our legal authority to enhance our organizational effectiveness, better support our workforce, and protect the safety and security of our Nation.
I know we are on the right track when I read comments like this from an earlier blog http://www.uscg.mil/comdt/blog/2009/01/modernization-at-work-cutter-boat.asp:
Gerald McCann said...
I don't know if anonymous has used the new system, but I love it. Now with a quick click of the mouse I can find out what maintenance was done on my boat, what maintenance needs to be done, what my scheduled missions are, and the status of the other boats at the unit. Where I used to have to spend 15 minutes entering in AOPS, now is none in less then two minutes. When discrepancies were found before sometimes they got lost in the shuffle, now they get tracked so we can see patterns show up. As far as parts showing up defective, it's not like it would have gotten found the old way either, until the end user found it. Errors get found and trapped when PEOPLE communicate; this new program makes it easier to communicate with everyone in the Coast Guard. I would personally like to thank the Commandant for getting this system to us, because we needed it, and thank him for a job well done. BM2 McCann, Station Neah Bay.
Admiral,
We keep seeing information about the Coast Guard Modernization Update, thats great. We do a fantastic job when it comes to innovation, introducing new ideals and ways of doing things.
I would like to point out something we seem to have laid aside - the things currently in place. For instance the MISLE program is clunky and not user friendly, the Coast Guard Addendum is over two years out of date, we have no way of tracking skill sets for our Auxiliarist whom we rely on for so much. Small Boat Station are using NEXTEL communications because our VHF-FM communication channels are jammed packed.
I?m sure I could sit down and come up with a list of things that need to be fixed but that?s not the point. You promised us we would be given the tools to do our jobs. Modernization is great however the simplest fix is not always the high tech solution.
Hmmm... at my last unit (Station Marathon 2004-2006) we used nextel because the walkie-talkie feature was convenient, not because VHF-FM was clogged. As for VHF... the Rescue 21 system is moving forward smartly with much of the country already covered. I'm currently in the New Orleans area and the units I've visited say they think its a great system.
MCPOCG Skip Bowen
What tools do you still need to do your job? Look at all the upgrades/changes we have gotten in the recent past; SINS nav package on all standard boats (makes small boat nav ridiculously easier), new courses of fire for small arms to go with the new pistol/shotgun (that replaced the antiques we used to carry), the boat crew communication system(it sure is nice not to have to scream into the wind all the time), Rescue21 is such a benefit to us here that it almost takes the search out of Search And Rescue.
The list could go on forever on how things are always getting better. If you don?t have something you need, all it takes is a few emails to get things rolling, be a leader yourself and get it.
I do agree that the MISLE program is clunky, but part of the reason is because the are always changing the program(hopefully to make it easier on the user). I?m impressed with all the concern for us, the folks on the water, even though I might not see a lot of the planned changes, it?s still nice to know that people care and are trying to make our lives better.
To sound like all the rest of the people though, I am upset I don?t have my robot to help me shave help me drink my coffee and will not be happy with your modernization until then.
BM2 McCann
Very interesting article!
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