I'm going to Fort Bragg in July, and will be my unit's Maintenance Control Officer (MCO). What should I know, and what can I do to prepare?

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Apr 2016 21:51:06 -0400

Any advice would be helpful, whether from those who have served directly as an MCO or worked with one. Are there any work flow systems or strategies that I can start building ahead of time to help me hit the ground running?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2016 10:07 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Apr 2016 22:07:31 -0400

Not an MCO but I work in my BDE S4 shop. I would check out this;

http://www.apd.army.mil/pdffiles/p750_1.pdf

Specifically chapter 10 - CMDP

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2016 10:12 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Apr 2016 22:12:16 -0400

Sir, start getting familiar with AR 750-1, DA PAM 750-1, DA PAM 750-3, and DA PAM 750-8.

Also, we just integrated GCSS-Army which replaced SAMS, PBUSE, SASMOD, ULLS A/E, etc. (these are the maintenance and supply systems we use to track maintenance, supplies, work orders, requisitions, etc.).

There is a wealth of technical expertise that will be involved in your assignment as an MCO, but you WILL NOT, I say again, WILL NOT be expected to know EVERYTHING. Just go in with a heads up. Your Company/Battalion Maintenance SOP will be your guide. Also, as an MCO, you will have a Senior NCO who will serve as your Maintenance Control Sergeant (MCS) or Senior Maintenance Supervisor (SMS). You will also be working with a CW2 or CW3 915A. You will adjust well when you get in the seat. If you can reach out to that unit and figure out who the Tech will be, ask him/her to send a copy of the SOP. That will get you familiar with the unit and its OPTEMPO and METL.

There are some courses for GCSS-Army on LMS as well as G-TRAX. Most units are still learning this system as it was recently implemented.

If you have any other questions, feel free to message me. Good Luck Sir and Go Ordnance!!

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2016 11:16 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 11:16:07 -0400

I'm not in the Army, nor do I work in maintenance, but I've found that the best way to prepare yourself for any new billet is to make yourself knowledgeable in all SOPs and supporting documents concerning your job. For me, just as an example, that means knowing about 3710, NATOPS, wing SOP, squadron SOP, and qual-tracking software, as well as procedures for reporting that tracking to others. I'm sure you would have equivalents. Know how they affect your job and what requirements they set for your subordinates, and I'm sure you'll do fine.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2016 12:50 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 12:50:08 -0400

Humility. Contact me at [login to see] . I've been Maintenance pl to MCO all the way to fsc commander

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2016 6:17 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Apr 2016 06:17:28 -0400

Hey bud, hit me up if you still have questions. Most of it is learn as you go, but I can give you what I have.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2016 11:13 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 May 2016 23:13:19 -0400

As a current MCO in an ABCT at Fort Carson, become familiar with AOAP, TMDE, and other "lesser known" systems within the maintenance world. I have several systems and trackers that I have created that have allowed me to be successful. Additionally, be prepared to work with your MCS and MCT, as others have stated. They will make or break you. Let me know if you would like to correspond through email to get prepared.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2016 1:45 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Jun 2016 13:45:03 -0400

If the SPO is approachable I would suggest getting some face time with him/her.

Our SPO gave me the run down of the weekly/monthly/quarterly battle rhythm so that I could start working on products for the various meetings in the respective time frames.

Another suggestion is tracking down the other MCOs in that unit. More than likely they'll offer to answer any questions that come up along the way.

Expect to get frustrated for not knowing everything. There's a learning process associated with being new and if you have good leadership and NCOs they'll completely understand.