SEPARATION FROM SERVICE
Once these MCA programs have received authorization and completed research, development, testing and evaluation, they will go to Soldiers in need of those capabilities. After a system has been out in the field for a while, it can be modified to ensure it remains relevant and usable for Soldiers, which is part of the sustainment process.
After sustainment, once the decision has been made to divest, the Army will begin a reutilization process, if possible.
In contrast to the MCA, which is a program that goes through the “typical” program of record acquisition process, a QRC is a program that comes out of an urgent need for a specific capa- bility. A QRC is built and then fielded in real-time, which is not part of the standard supply chain, Fleetwood said. Given the nature of the organization’s mission to deliver capabilities quickly through affordable and adaptable programs that pace threats, PEO IEW&S deals with a lot of QRCs.
“Wherever the fight may be, we’re supposed to—based on policy and process—utilize that equipment but treat it as almost a proto- type,” he explained. “[A unit will] use it for the fight in theater or any operation, but once they are done with it, they are supposed to destroy that system.”
Fleetwood emphasized that QRC systems are different from traditional acquisition systems in that they are not meant to be reutilized and should not be redistributed to other organiza- tions or industry.
“For PEO IEW&S, we follow a structured approach when supporting divestiture efforts made by HQDA [Headquarters, Department of the Army] or recommended by the program office,” Fleetwood said. “While the ultimate execution of divesti- ture falls under the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) through the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office (DRMO) process, our role involves ensuring equipment is prepared and transferred to DLA appropriately. Te DRMO process includes reutilization checks within the Department of Defense and other government agencies, with DOD components given the first opportunity to utilize this equipment.”
Te decision to divest equipment ultimately comes from the HQDA level rather than the program office level.
“I’ve seen instances in the past where a program office makes a decision to divest and execute the divestment of legacy systems because they have a modernized version of that capability already in the field with Soldiers,” Fleetwood explained. “We must under- stand that, as developers, we do not have that authority without
LIFE CYCLE AT A GLANCE The life cycle of a military system is complex, but with a distinct beginning and end. (Graphic by Justin Rakowski, PEO IEW&S)
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Army AL&T Magazine
Spring 2025
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