Sabers, shirts sustainment discussed during West Point logisticians’ visit to Troop Support

Maintaining uniform support to cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point informed a visit to Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support by West Point logisticians June 8.

With approximately 1,350 cadets outfitted with new uniforms each year, the goal of the visit was to continue laying the groundwork for the Clothing and Textiles supply chain to manage long-term sustainment of some uniform items currently managed by Logistics Readiness Center- West Point.

From touring the Product Test Center Analytical lab and Flag Room, to a planning meeting with C&T team members, West Point logisticians learned about DLA Troop Support's uniform support capabilities.

The PTC-A team led by Lab Manager Dr. James Michael McClain and Supervisory Textile Technologist Anna Wilson, provided overviews of their various testing capabilities, including a demonstration specifically for the West Point ceremonial saber. This detailed how the lab can turn material sampling into data and help create specifications.

During C&T's uniform planning meeting portion of the visit Army Recruit Training Center Team Supervisor Timothy Schmidt, Technical Quality Division Chief Uraina Gray-Scully and Quality Assurance Team Supervisor John Mumbower led the discussion on sustainment support and provided expectations on requirements. They also provided samples of dress shirts C&T is currently providing to West Point for short-term support, and fabric options for long-term sustainment support.

C&T expedited orders for 4,320 men's white shirts and 1,400 women's white shirts ahead of West Point's Reception Day, June 29, for Class of 2030 cadets. C&T is also providing approximately 6,500 dark gray shirts by early July and 1,400 windbreaker jackets by September.

The West Point logisticians also brought sample items for C&T to research the possibility of long-term sustainment including black parkas, bathrobes and laundry bags.

"Working with the DLA team is a partnership, one where we're both focused on equipping the U.S. Corps of Cadets," said Joe Scheff, director of the LRC- West Point. "While we've talked about short-term equipping strategies, the focus of this visit was long-term sustainment and provisioning of items to improve readiness."

Scheff was joined by LRC-West Point Chief of Support Operations Shane Barnes, Chief of Supply and Services Ron Argus and Army Maj. Sandra Eerhardt, with USMA, US Corps of Cadets.

For new requirements, the normal procurement timeline is 18-24 months, Schmidt explained. With this timeline both organizations are working on solutions for sustainment uniform items to support Class of 2032 cadets, coming in 2028 and beyond.

"The closer [an item] is to something we're already making, the better opportunity this can be a conversion of some type, or a new solicitation," Schmidt said.

Moving forward, LRC-West Point will need to submit respective supply request packages including technical data for sustainment items for C&T to begin the procurement process, including soliciting contracts to industry, negotiating and first article testing.

Following the planning meeting, the West Point logisticians will take information and samples back for Army leadership to make the final decision on uniform features.