Surface Transportation Committee
Commercial motor carriers and the rail industry move thousands of tons of DOD cargo every day in peacetime, and are absolutely vital to the Department of Defense’s ability to mobilize in times of crisis or national emergency. This committee facilitates communication in an ongoing partnership that fulfills mission requirements in peace and war while mindful of day-to-day commercial economic realities.
COMMITTEE CHAIR
Michael Cashner
VP, Government Services, Landstar Transportation Logistics, Inc.
PAST ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Improved the payment processes for truck and rail carriers
- Identified improvements for Intermodal Unit Moves
- Implemented processes to standardize quality across the modes
- Conducted port readiness reviews
- Provided industry recommendations to improve security and standardize carrier access to military installations – participated in pilot programs to test the DBIDS (Defense Biometric Identification system)
- Led multiple efforts to improve the safety and security of TPS and AA&E shipments
- Provided industry input/concerns to SDDC regarding a revised fuel surcharge policy
- Provided forum for industry to express views and provide recommendations on numerous USTRANSCOM contracts and acquisition strategies
- Identified “Safe Havens” for AA&E shipments in the event of a terrorist attack or natural disaster
- Facilitated Motor Carrier Installation Access working group with OSD and industry
- Working with DOD and DOT to design a program to expedite CDL licensing for transitioning troops with experience operating equivalent military vehicles
- Testing and updating of multiple transportation acquisition and management systems
- Providing industry representatives to multiple DOD Rehearsal of Concept (ROC) Drills, Deployment Symposiums and studies, and multiple other meetings in order to implement industry best practices and ultimately improve the Defense Transportation System
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Check back periodically for important announcements from the NDTA Surface Transportation Committee
UPDATES
May 7, 2019
The NDTA Surface Committee held its semi-annual (Spring) meeting in O’Fallon, Illinois—just outside of Scott Air Force Base–on May 7th. More than 120 committee members attended, representing all modes of the of surface transportation industry as well as the Department of Defense, and other federal agencies involved in defense transportation. Meeting highlights included:
- Updates on initiatives and issues from all Sub-Committee Chairs (Rail, Munitions, LTL, Seaports, Household Goods, Safety & Best Practices).
- Updates from senior Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) representatives, regarding policies or initiatives that potentially impact defense transportation.
- Presentations from U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) and the Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC), regarding industry’s role in supporting the new National Defense Strategy, and projected DOD movement requirements through 2020.
- A strategic overview – from the SDDC Commander (MG Stephen Farmen) – of potential surge transportation requirements in the event of a national emergency or no-notice military deployment.
- A presentation from the USTRANSCOM Legislative Affairs Office focusing on issues within the House and Senate Armed Services and Appropriations Committees and their potential impact on the 2020 Defense Budget.
- Myriad other issues concerning defense transportation including: initiatives to improve carrier utilization and access to military installations; DOD cyber security and IT requirements; requirements and challenges with current and pending DOD transportation contracts; and USTRANSCOM’s new Transportation Management System (TMS) initiative.
The next NDTA Surface Committee Meeting will be held on October 10th, 2019 in conjunction with the USTRANSCOM-NDTA Annual Fall Meeting at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel.
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