Support: Marines Create a Wired Headquarters

Archives

May 1, 2006: The U.S. Marine Corps has successfully tested a new Unit Operations Center (UOC). This is basically a headquarters that can be packed into several trucks or trailers, and set up in about 40 minutes. Before UOC was developed, it took three hours to set up a headquarters. Actually, UOC is a modular system that greatly simplifies the setting up of computer and communications systems. The many modules can be put together depending on how large a headquarters operations is required. This can range from a company size operation coming in to evacuate embassy personnel and other American citizens from a crises zone, to a multi-battalion combat operation.

Over the last decade, the marines have been adding more and more computer and high-tech communications equipment to their headquarters. Making this stuff work with existing systems made setting up a headquarters a nightmare. The UOC system went back to the beginning and put together gear that was known to work together. For UOC use, the equipment, most of it electronic, is pre-wired as much as possible, with very simple set-up instructions. As much as possible, the gear has been made user-friendly, and ruggedized for field use.

The headquarters these days uses computer networks, lots of flat screen displays and satellite links. This last feature allows a lot of "reach back" capability. That means many headquarters jobs can be performed by troops back in the United States, with the UOC "reaching back" via satellite link to communicate. Thus, rather than having some administrative functions performed by marines in a tent a few feet away from you, the troops are back in the United States, keeping the field headquarters even smaller and easier to move and set up.

The UOC is a key tool for the marines, who use extensive computer networking at all levels, and need headquarters that can make the most of this.

 


Article Archive

Support: Current 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 


X

ad
0
20

Help Keep Us Soaring

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling. We need your help in reversing that trend. We would like to add 20 new subscribers this month.

Each month we count on your subscriptions or contributions. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage. A contribution is not a donation that you can deduct at tax time, but a form of crowdfunding. We store none of your information when you contribute..
Subscribe   Contribute   Close