Brock,

My experience with GCSS-A started as a Platoon Leader. It started by simply having access, printing 5988s for my platoons equipment. New command group focused on maintenance and ensuring that the equipment deadlined matched the ESR print as it was often not the case. It helped that all the jobs I’ve had have only expanded the ability for me to get more comfortable with the system, with maintenance being Maintenance Control Officer; Supply being Accountable Officer, and now XO signing dispatches and looking at service schedules etc and other supply functions.

When GCSS-A goes down for weekend maintenance or system goes down it temporarily hinders operations, but nothing a manual dispatch or old systems cant solve.

Once you have bought into the system it becomes easy to use. I also highly recommend always picking the brain of Warrant Officers who use the system extensively more and are subject matter experts. 92As, 92Ys, and any 91 series mechanics are for the most part in the system and know how to use GCSS-A.

Have you been able to solve some of the problems or issues that other commanders are dealing with? If so, how?When the commander is not available to sign a dispatch due to a meeting or commander busy doing commander stuff, I become available to sign for the dispatch. I can always view certain supply functions to check on my supply clerk and verify information for my commander. Checking the ESR print to see if the part is on order, at the SSA or on stock is too easy once you become familiar with the system.

Do you have any tips or tricks in dealing with GCSS-A?
There are many different ways to use GCSS-A, whether its supply, maintenance, or finance, the system takes a bit to get used to but many learn in different ways. I have seen many users simply use T-codes or basic shortcuts that are typed in and gets you to the desired viewing page to action something. Maintenance created powerpoints on how to slides to do certain functions that has helped tremendously. Always writing step by step on how to do things has become Using cheat sheets taped at the end of my green notebook has helped me reference certain GCSS-A generated terminology.