Faces of the Force: John Beck
POSITION: Assistant Program Executive Officer for Life Cycle Management
UNIT: Program Executive Office Aviation
TOTAL YEARS OF SERVICE: 29
EDUCATION: B.S. Liberal Arts, Columbus State University; M.A. National Security and Strategic Studies, U.S. Naval War College; currently pursuing M.S. Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
By Susan L. Follett
FOTF: What do you do in the Army?
BECK: I help facilitate all aspects of integrated logistics support (ILS) for the program managers (PMs) and their respective systems and products. Our PMs manage manned and unmanned aviation weapon systems (UAS) and all the enablers that make aviation viable on the battlefield, including air traffic control, aviation ground support, and aircraft maintenance.
ILS is a process for planning, developing, acquiring, and sustaining well-defined, affordable strategies that meet a Soldier’s requirements for Army materiel throughout its life cycle. Our PMs use ILS as part of the systems engineering process to lower life cycle cost and decrease the logistics footprint, making a system easier to support.
FOTF: Why is your job important?
BECK: Our mission is important because we are involved with the total life cycle systems management (TLCSM) of everything fielded and sustained in the aviation community. To give you an idea of the scope of operations, our fleet includes 16 different rotary wing platforms, 29 types of fixed-wing aircraft, and five UAS — more than 4,000 aviation platforms fielded to Army units.
TLCSM establishes a single point of accountability and oversight — in this case, the PM — for cradle to grave weapon system acquisition and sustainment. We think of our work as connecting the dots to get the right people together when PMs have concerns they’re trying to address.
For example, we have a great deal of experience in helping PMs translate requirements into program milestones, or refining budget requests. We also have a lot of contact with subject matter experts who have combat experience and we facilitate conversations so that their hands-on experiences in the field can help PMs resolve any issues they’re facing with their systems.
FOTF: What has your work experience been like?
BECK: I’ve been on the job for two years now, and have done a lot of work on an assessment of the impact of the post-9/11 environment on our aviation fleets. We’ve been able to quantify the accelerated or activity-based age of all the deployed fleets by comparing the pre- and post-9/11 operational tempo and damage levels.
That information can be used by those who develop investment strategies and funding allocations to shed light on how potential cuts could impact aviation fleets. We’ve been able to help reduce the level of some budget cuts by showing the condition of the current fleet and how those conditions might change over time with investments in modernization and sustainment.
FOTF: Why did you join the Army? What is your greatest satisfaction in being part of the Army?
BECK: I served with the Military Police Corps and the Aviation Branch. I joined the Army to try and make a difference. My greatest satisfaction is knowing that the mission we perform here at PEO Aviation is helping units in combat by ensuring that they have the best equipment and support possible.
For more information, visit https://www.peoavn.army.mil/SitePages/Home2.aspx.
- “Faces of the Force” is an online feature highlighting members of the Army Acquisition Workforce. Produced by the U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center Communication Division, and working closely with public affairs officers, Soldiers and Civilians currently serving in a variety of AL&T disciplines are featured every other week. For more information, or to nominate someone, please contact 703-805-1006.
