Improving utility in the Marine Corps depot level maintenance program

Abstract : The Marine Corps operates a Depot Level Maintenance Program (DLMP) to support the continued operation of principal end items. Principal end items require periodic induction into the DLMP. This maintenance consists of major systems overhauls aimed at extending the life cycle of the principal end item. The frequency of these inductions is different for each end item. The number of systems requiring induction into Depot Level Maintenance in a given year is always greater than the funding available in that year resulting in a constraint. The Marine Corps has attempted to optimize the utility received from the DLMP through the use of a model that takes a number of variables into consideration resulting in a schedule for end-items to be inducted into the DLMP. This model makes the most efficient use of available funding by creating the largest increase in readiness reporting possible given the constrained budget. The changing operational requirements in light of current conflicts and future operations tempo have made the current DLMP process problematic. This project proposes to analyze the current process, to include the DERO model, the relationship between the DERO model and the DLMP, and the "human factor" decisions that go into the final implementation and execution of the DLMP. The expected product from this project is a recommendation to Marine Corps Systems Command and Marine Corps Logistics Command on a process that improves the DLMP over the long run, given the new operational environment faced as a result of the Global War On Terror.