An assessment of the Marine Corps integrated logistics capability initiative - repair cycle time reduction

Abstract

In this thesis, we examine the Marine Corps Integrated Logistics Capability (ILC) initiatives to reduce Repair Cycle Time (RCT) for ground equipment from 53 days to 34 days by fiscal year 2006 (a 35 percent reduction). Based on Little's Law, the Marine Corps could save a substantial amount of money on inventory and improve operational availability of its weapon systems by reducing RCT. We used ARENA simulation software to construct a baseline model of the current maintenance process. We then made modifications to the baseline model to test the Marine Corps' prediction that the proposed ILC initiatives of maintenance consolidation will result in a 35 percent RCT reduction. Our final simulation model focused on future changes that will reduce RCT by 50 percent. We find that based upon the consolidation of maintenance echelons that the Marine Corps is only able to reduce RCT by 32.5 percent. We find that a 10 percent reduction in retail Order Ship Time (OST) and other maintenance processes will allow the Marine Corps to meet the RCT goal of 35 percent reduction. We find that the reduction of additional maintenance processes coupled with variance reduction of retail OST can reduce RCT by 50 percent.