Technical Manual Acquisition

The study objectives are to determine roles and interfaces of Department of the Army (DA) elements in TM acquisition, identify problems and probable causes and recommend the appropriate DA element to resolve the problems. The study approach consisted of a literature search of recent and current work, applicable regulations, military standards, and other appropriate policies and procedures. Interviews were then conducted with US Army Materiel Development and Readiness Command (DARCOM) and US Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) individuals most knowledgeable of the TM acquisition process. The information was then analyzed to develop findings, conclusions and recommendations. Technical Manuals are essential to the operational readiness of Army equipment and thus must be weighed on a life cycle, not acquisition, cost basis. While it is generally recognized that better quality TM's are evolved from the SPAS Program, additional changes need to be made in the overall TM acquisition process if TM's are to continue to improve. The study identified areas for improved TM acquisition to be pursued by the US Army Training Support Center (ATSC) on behalf of TRADOC and the US Army Materiel Readiness Support Activity (MRSA) on behalf of DARCOM.