Army ROTC Cadet, tasked to be battalion S4, what are your tips to run this the best I can?

Cadet PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Apr 2020 23:02:39 -0400

Some background: our supply room is known for being very poorly organized, our equipment ranges from alice packs/LBVs to Molle rucks/FLCs. I am tasked with supplying my campus (70 cadets) as well as two other campuses 10 and 15 miles away from the supply room, around 15 cadets each. Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Apr 23 at 2020 12:11 AM

CSM Charles Hayden — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 00:11:54 -0400

Cadet PVT Private RallyPoint Member Do not acknowledge receipt of anything you have not visually seen and counted!

Do not relinquish/issue/share anything to anyone without a legible, dated receipt and the reason for the distribution!

YOU WILL BE SCREWED IF YOU ARE NOT CAREFUL!

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Apr 23 at 2020 2:02 AM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 02:02:29 -0400

Don't sign for anything you don't physically see.
Close the door and lock everyone out.
Dump it on the floor then reorganize back on the shelves in according to what Class Item it is .
Beware of extra keys, people wandering around 'helping' (usually themselves) and check NSNs, Serial#s and hand receipts.
If any hand receipts are over 30 days old have the person bring it back for your eyes-on accountability
Check keys and retool/replace your locks as soon as you can.
Determine what are one time issue 'disposal items' and all the rest are lockdown items.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2020 4:39 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 04:39:57 -0400

Organize the supply room.
Always know what is in the supply room by number size and type and what is signed out. Update your number every time it changes.

If you know you will be issuing out Gear print out a hand receipt that is already filled out with the items and name of those who will sign for them. Inventory and place all of the items in the ruck. When you go to issue, have them inventory the ruck, mark down they have the items and sign. Make copies and keep track of all of the property.

have everyone update their HR every month.

That's about it.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Apr 23 at 2020 7:08 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 07:08:46 -0400

The first person you should speak to is your military advisor, military science instructor. Then clean up the mess, count the items and organize by type. Find the issue documents and prepare to issue and receive in an organized manner. All military functions have the answer right in front of you, there is a military manual for everything. I am sure there is one in the supply room.

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made Apr 23 at 2020 8:06 AM

LTC Eugene Chu — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 08:06:21 -0400

Maintain good relations with your cadre supply NCO or civilian technician. Although you have great responsibility, you are a college student until graduation and commission. You will eventually leave, but an experienced professional should be working with you. Do not attempt to shoulder all the weight by yourself

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 23 at 2020 5:28 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 17:28:11 -0400

Think about pre-filled out hand receipts with the items listed for efficiency.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2020 5:02 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Apr 2020 05:02:51 -0400

All great responses so far. Only thing I would add (as a former Cadet Company S4) is to write up a Memorandum for Record and post it on the door of your supply room. Include information on how to contact you, how to submit a supply request, how to schedule a Supply Appointment, and what your open hours are for walk in requests. Also include who has access authorization to your supply room. All this information helps protect you, keep your AO organized, and put systems in place to keep things from getting crazy and disheveled. Document, document, document.