By-passing the System

[selenite0]

This is the right way to do military procurement. Get something out to the field so it can 1. help the troops, 2. test against the real world, and 3. help figure out what the real requirements should be.

Comments

[patgund.livejournal.com]

Cool idea.....

Now watch him get dinged for using unauthorized equipment, while the procurement people submit contracts for something simular that will be out in the field in 5-10 years and cost $1 million each.

[tmc4242.livejournal.com]

I'm amazed they could put something like that together that fast. I guess the company having build systems for the police previously probably helped a lot. Very cool anyway.

[selenite.livejournal.com]

I suspect it's all mashed together from COTS items, some of which will break down when they get exposed to real Iraqi weather. But a couple of iterations could get them something sturdy, and the flakey one beats nothing at all.

[tmc4242.livejournal.com]

Something tells me long term ESS and fault insertion were not part of the pre-delivery checkout on this one. Which is just fine in this case. Like you say, save it for iteration II.

[callibr8]

Inspiring story. We need more things like this to happen. Once again goes to show how one person with a clear vision can make a huge difference!

[firedrake-mor.livejournal.com]

dAY-UMN! I am concerned, like pagund, though, that the good major will get gigged for either a) not using the holy Chain of Command, b) making decisions without proper commanr authority, c) making decisions above his paygrade, or d) as was said, using unauthorized equipment (remember the Dragon Skin armored vest debacle?)

On top of which -- wanna bet the writer loses his embed rights?

[selenite.livejournal.com]

The Marines have been more flexible in the field than the Army, so I'm hoping the folks involved won't get any of the payback the acquisition weenies will want to send their way.

As for the writer, I don't think he's on a long tour, since he's freelance (a blogger, really) and dependent on contributions from readers for all his expenses. So that limits how long he can stay over there. You might like reading him:
http://billroggio.com/

[mukhtar.livejournal.com]

Just a couple of points to add about this:

1) They DO have systems working on who's who in bad guys in Iraq. An entire huge database that they have been compiling since day one using the ABIS systems. I've seen it in operation.

2) The problem with these systems not being widespread is that they are only being used by guys who are trained on them. Your average MP (of which there are all too few to begin with) is not trained. Only a small portion of the army gets trained on it because they don't trust the average soldier with so much expensive equipment because the average soldier is prone to breaking, losing, or outright stealing the cool gadgets that come in the package.

3) The Army could have had the COTS version a lot cheaper and more effectively fielded so your average MP *could* be using it, but the procurements/R&D units in the army are so bogged down by red tape and bureaucracy that even the few good ideas they come up with are years behind being useful by the time they hit the streets.

4) The Major will probably get a slap on the wrist for using toys that "other units" are supposed to.

OT

[telophase.livejournal.com]

I was checking my spam filter and realized the message I sent you with the ConDFW gaming director's address bounced and ended up there. Did you get it, or do you still need it?

Re: OT

[selenite.livejournal.com]

Nope, got it and we're hammering out a schedule for the game.

Ah--my LJ address goes to my MIT address which forwards to others . . . and I bet I've got an old address in there. Thanks, I'll go fix that.