Introduction
In the U.S. military, all stakeholders should follow a number of rules and obligations not to create additional risks and threats to their services. One of the most critical aspects discussed from the first day is the importance of maintaining equipment accountability (Spencer). In fact, American soldiers become accountable for many material goods, including their ID cards, weapons, and ammunition, that are usually mentioned and declared in special property books (Spencer). Besides, equipping and sustaining are on the list of strategic readiness tenets that determine the relationships in the military (Herrera 12). Being a professional soldier is not easy, and maintaining and not losing equipment is one of the major responsibilities, contributing to availability, quality, and need suitability.
Maintaining Military Equipment
Equipment availability is an obligatory assessment means in the U.S. Army. It is also called “S-level” and is based on “the ratio of the number of designated critical equipment items” in the unit to “the number the unit is authorized to have” (Herrera 44). Military leaders or specially trained individuals organize routine inspections and create reports to verify the possession of accountable equipment (Spencer). These steps help predict unreasonable and dangerous use of military equipment (for example soldiers buying equipment) and not worry about losing it. Thus, the main reason to support equipment maintenance is the importance of controlling and reducing administrative errors and harm to human life.
Another explanation for equipment maintenance in the military is related to quality and funding resources. Maintainability and technical reliability are the factors that affect the level of performance, protection, and mobility (Olsson 100). For example, tanks, as one of the equipment types in the military, have several important capabilities like sensors, displays, and optics (Olsson 100). When soldiers are involved in maintaining equipment, they check how the engine works, what wheel suspension is, and how other moving parts respond. Inapplicable elements should be identified as soon as possible to predict negative outcomes, and it is a responsibility of a soldier to focus on available equipment.
Finally, soldier needs and expectations are not always easy to predict, and the importance of maintaining equipment is the way to gain control and order in the military. Despite the existing norms and rules, people can make various decisions that affect the quality of their services. In the U.S. Army, the government introduces multiple policies and legislations to prevent fraud and waste of resources (Spencer). America is one of the most powerful countries, and its military resources and support create a solid protective background. If equipment abuse due to poor maintenance or loss occurs, the worth of leadership and management is questioned. To avoid such negative outcomes, professional soldiers should always remember their direct responsibilities for equipment readiness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding the importance of maintaining and not losing equipment in the military depends on three aspects – availability, quality, and personal needs. It is not enough to know that equipment should be properly maintained and managed because it should be available to soldiers. It is more important to check the quality of the tools and address the impact of personal needs to predict unwanted situations and mistakes. Military equipment is diverse, and soldiers must cooperate within a system where the order is considered. Maintenance makes it possible to match soldier needs and missions with the offered equipment and achieve the best results in fulfilling imposed duties.
Works Cited
Herrera, G. James. The Fundamentals of Military Readiness. Congressional Research Service, 2020. Web.
Olsson, Per. “Measuring Quality of Military Equipment.” Defence and Peace Economics, vol. 33, no. 1, 2022, pp. 93-107. Taylor & Francis Online.
Spencer, John. “Want Soldiers to Use Advanced Tech? Go More Disposable and Address Accountability Culture.” Defense News, Web.