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The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the Army and nation to fast-forward to innovation, but will the remarkable changes last?
Last March, when COVID-19 hit hard and telework became the new norm, Army leaders wondered if it would work. Secretary of the Army Ryan D. McCarthy said, "The rapid spread of COVID-19 across the globe has spurred many internal discussions concerning the Army's future operating budget." He added that "nothing has had the contagion and the proliferation like we have seen with COVID-19 since the Spanish flu of 1918." Gen. James McConville, the Army chief of staff, emphasized that "COVID-19 has impacted everything we do, but we still have to protect the nation."
The "new normal" had begun, but not without a period of turbulence before things could settle down. Army organizations adapted new procedures to successfully navigate and overcome the unknown. Response plans likely became the No. 1 discussion topic among Army leaders. Soon after, Army leaders realized that the COVID crisis was an opportunity to review the existing strategies and to change the way we do business. In doing so, they identified strengths and weaknesses, and developed effective contingencies as part of future business plans. At the Joint Program Executive Office for Armaments and Ammunition (JPEO A&A), Brig. Gen. Vincent F. Malone established a working group to develop the JPEO's COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan.
"Our working group," Malone wrote, "will continue to refine this document as we develop and implement control measures to minimize the risk of exposure in the workplace. As the Army transitions to operate in a COVID-19 environment, your safety remains our highest priority!" Malone committed himself to provide weekly updates "as we refine our plans for safe operations in a COVID-19 environment."
WHAT DID THE ARMY DO GREAT?
I want to focus on three positive outcomes that resulted from this global pandemic and benefited the Army Acquisition Workforce. Despite the challenging environment, there were considerable opportunities for Army organizations. One such opportunity was to construct flexible procedures including telework and virtual measures. Granted, originally there was no other choice but to telework. As time passed, though, leaders realized that efficiency and effectiveness increased. This was because of several contributing factors. First, for those who could telework, their commute...