What is it?
MERIT is the first of its kind Equipment Readiness management tool developed by capitalizing on existing Marine Corps efforts! MERIT is a powerful, web-enabled tool which graphically depicts the current readiness posture and detailed supply and maintenance information for all Marine Corps readiness reportable TAMCNs. MERIT combines: 1. the Supply Chain Operational Performance Enabler (SCOPE) program developed in the FMF (III MEF), 2. the Materiel Readiness Assessment Module (MRAM) program from Materiel Command (MATCOM), 3. the efforts of the Post Fielding Support Analysis (PFSA) initiative, and 4. Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) software introduced by Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC). Versatile, scalable, and intuitive, MERIT taps into legacy data from Marine Corps Systems and also will be able to import from planned future Marine Corps logistics systems as well as non-Marine Corps automated information systems.
What does it do?
MERIT transforms data into valuable information that provides a dynamic adaptable view of Equipment Readiness by Commodity and Functional Area. An automatic graphics generator feature provides customized information of current and historical readiness and is ideal for developing readiness related briefing charts at all levels within the Marine Corps. Using a drilldown approach, MERIT takes you from the top level of Marine Corps Readiness posture to the supply status of specific parts. By drastically reducing the readiness information data gathering effort, MERIT enables users to solve and prevent readiness problems.
Where is it applicable?
MERIT provides a total view of the Marine Corps Readiness picture. It's scope, versatility, and user-friendly operation makes MERIT a "need to have" for everyone associated with ensuring the readiness of Marine Corp equipment. MERIT gives Force Commanders visibility of their Readiness trends, problems and associated causes. It also provides detailed information required by maintainers, Logistics Management Specialist (LMS's), Program Managers (PM's), and analysts.
Why do we need it?
Materiel readiness is an issue that affects all Marines, so as the Marine Corps moves from reactive to proactive life cycle management, it is essential that we address both current and future materiel readiness challenges. In Nov 2000, the Materiel Command formed the Materiel Readiness Integrated Product Team (MRIPT), which brought together a cross-functional team that focused on materiel readiness policy, calculations, displays, reporting and procedures. First, the MRIPT identified those Materiel Readiness drivers that have the greatest impact on the Marine Corps readiness posture. Second, the MRIPT developed changes to MR policy necessary to more effectively monitor and influence MR to achieve the best-value solution from a total ownership cost perspective.
Third, the MRIPT began developing an information tool, which would allow us to not only display readiness data but would also provide a "drill down analysis" capability that could be used throughout the Marine Corps Enterprise. The bottom line is that MERIT is the tool that will move the Marine Corps toward a single materiel readiness capability.
More detailed information on MERIT can be found at:
http://www.logcom.usmc.mil/merit/general.asp
