UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Volume II

4.23-54

50050 COMPOSITION OF THE SUPPLY

SYSTEM

1. The Marine Corps supply system embraces all elements of the Supply Establishment including the Supply Department at Headquarters U. S. Marine Corps, Washington, D. C.; U. S. Marine Corps Depot of Supply; U. S. Marine Corps Supply Depots; Base Depots; Field Depots; Forwarding Depots; functional elements of the Supply Establishment within the Fleet Marine Forces and supply sections of posts, stations, organizations and detachments. The strength and composition of the various supply activities and sections will be determined by the Commandant of the Marine Corps.

50051 ORGANIZATION AND

FUNCTIONS OF DEPOTS

1. Set forth hereafter are brief logistical definitions of depot facilities of the Marine Corps supply system with the normal functions and command relations observed by such activities.

2. A Marine Corps depot of supplies is a major logistical establishment of the Marine Corps. Marine Corps depots of supplies are under the military command of the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Unless otherwise specifically directed such command is exercised through the Quartermaster General of the Marine Corps. Management and technical control of the Marine Corps depots of supplies is exercised by the Quartermaster General of the Marine Corps. Coordination control relationships between a depot of supplies and the naval district commandant shall be as prescribed by Department of the Navy directives. A depot of supplies may function as an area supply center for any or all classifications of material, an area repair center for any or all classifications of material, a manufacturing facility, or any combination of the above

functions.

3. A Marine Corps supply depot is a logistical facility of the Marine Corps which is normally a part of a larger Marine Corps establishment. Marine Corps supply depots are under the military command and coordination control of the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Unless otherwise specifically directed, such command and coordination control is exercised through the commander of the post or station of which the supply depot is a part. Management and technical control of Marine Corps supply depots is exercised by the Quartermaster General of the Marine Corps. Supply depots provide specified types of logistical support for designated Marine Corps activities.

50052

consumers.

4. A Marine Corps forwarding depot is an intermediate logistical facility primarily established for processing the forward movement of supplies to overseas Such a facility may have a secondary responsibility for storage and issue of selected items of supplies and equipment. Forwarding depots are under the military command of the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Unless otherwise specifically directed such command is exercised through the Quartermaster General of the Marine Corps. Management and technical control of Marine Corps forwarding depots is exercised by the Quartermaster General of the Marine Corps. Coordination control relationships between a forwarding depot and the naval district commandant shall be as prescribed by the Department of the Navy directives.

5. A Marine Corps base depot is an intermediate logistical support facility in a designated geographical location, as appropriate, to carry out the logistical mission of the supply establishment in support of specified operating forces of the Marine Corps. When necessary and as directed by the Commandant of the Marine Corps, base depots may be organized and established within the supply system of the Marine Corps. Such base depots, when organized, are under the military command of the Commandant of the Marine Corps and under the management and technical control of the Quartermaster General of the Marine Corps. Unless otherwise specifically directed, military command will be exercised by the commander of the area or force of which such depot is a part.

6. A Marine Corps field depot is a semimobile and sub-area logistical support facility. It will provide logistical support for assigned operating forces, including units in a rehabilitation status. When necessary and as directed by the Commandant of the Marine Corps, field depots may be organized and established within the supply system of the Marine Corps. Such field depots are under the military command of the Commandant of the Marine Corps and under the management and technical control of the Quartermaster General of the Marine Corps. Unless otherwise specifically directed, military command will be exercised by the commander of the area or force of which such depot is a part.

50052 MARINE, CORPS DEPOT OF

SUPPLIES, PHILADELPHIA

1. This depot is primarily responsible for the procurement, storage and issue of selected items of general supply. It operates facilities for the manufacture of clothing and

other items of supplies and equipment. It is a source of supply of the above items for those activities as designated in supply bulletins promulgated from time to time.

2. In accordance with instructions issued by the Quartermaster General of the Marine Corps, the Marine Corps Depot of Supplies, Philadelphia, will:

a. Procure, manufacture, store and issue supplies and equipment.

b. Maintain prescribed operating stock levels and prescribed quantities of reserve equipment and supplies.

c. Operate and direct the facilities of the Marine Corps and Navy Publicity Bureau contained within the Depot of Supplies.

d. Operate facilities to provide maintenance services as designated in supply bulletins.

50053 MARINE CORPS DEPOT OF

SUPPLIES, SAN FRANCISCO

1. This depot is responsible for the procurement, storage and issue of all classes of supplies and equipment. It is the source of supply for those activities designated in supply bulletins promulgated from time to time.

2. In accordance with instructions is sued by the Quartermaster General of the Marine Corps, the Marine Corps Depot of Supplies, San Francisco, will:

a. Procure, store and issue supplies and equipment.

b. Maintain prescribed operating stock levels and prescribed quantities of reserve equipment and supplies.

c. Operate facilities to provide maintenance services as designated in supply bulletins.

50054 MARINE CORPS SUPPLY

ANNEX BARSTOW, CALIFORNIA

1. This annex of the Depot of Supplies, San Francisco, is located at Barstow, California. It provides that depot with a suitable site for bulk storage and field and depot maintenance facilities. The Barstow Annex is an integral part of the Marine Corps Depot of Supplies, San Francisco and is under the military command of the Commanding General of that depot. The officer in charge of this annex is designated as Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Supply Annex, Barstow, California.

50055 U. S. MARINE CORPS FORWARDING DEPOT, NORFOLK

1. This depot is essentially a forwarding depot but has the additional responsibility of providing for the procurement, storage and distribution of engineer equipment and selected items of general supply. It is the embarkation depot for Fleet Marine Force elements embarking on the east coast. It is

a

source of supply for selected items for those activities designated in supply bulletins promulgated from time to time.

2. In accordance with instructions issued by the Quartermaster General of the Marine Corps, the U. S. Marine Corps Forwarding Depot at Norfolk, Virginia, will:

a. Provide facilities and assist in the embarkation and debarkation of Fleet Marine Force units.

b. Procure, store and issue supplies and equipment.

c. Maintain prescribed operating stock levels and specified quantities of reserve equipment and supplies.

d. Operate facilities to provide maintenance services as designated in supply bul

letins.

stocks are not in the custody of, nor under the control of, either the Marine Corps Base or the Fleet Marine Force supported by the depot. Issues will be made from Marine Corps Supply Depot stocks only on an approved requisition in accordance with allowances established by the Commandant of the Marine Corps. In case of an emergency requiring the issue of Supply Establishment stocks in excess of authorized allowances, an immediate report stating all the circumstances will be forwarded to the Commandant of the Marine Corps by the officer directing the excess issue.

3. In accordance with instructions issued by the Quartermaster General of the Marine Corps, the Marine Corps Supply Depot, Camp Lejeune, will:

a. Procure, store and issue supplies and equipment.

b. Maintain prescribed operating stock levels and prescribed quantities of reserve equipment and supplies.

c. Operate facilities to provide maintenance services as designated in supply bulletins.

d. Furnish medical and dental supplies and equipment required for initial outfitting and mounting out requirements (allowances) and provide maintenance and rehabilitation supply thereof to organizations of the Fleet Marine Forces, both ground and aviation, while located in the eastern United States.

2. Supplies and equipment in the custody of this depot are a portion of the over-all resources of the Supply Establishment and are under the management control of the Quartermaster General of the Marine Corps. These stocks are not in the custody of, nor under the control of, either the Marine Corps Base or the Fleet Marine Force supported by the depot. Issues will be made from Marine Corps Supply Depots stocks only on an approved requisition in accordance with allowances established by the Commandant of the Marine Corps. In case of emergency requiring the issue of Supply Establishment stocks in excess of authorized allowances, an immediate report stating all the circum

stances will be forwarded to the Commandant of the Marine Corps by the officer directing the excess issue.

3. In accordance with instructions issued by the Quartermaster General of the Marine Corps, the Marine Corps Supply Depot, Camp Pendleton, will:

a. Procure, and issue supplies and equipment.

b. Maintain prescribed operating stock levels and prescribed quantities of reserve equipment and supplies.

c. Operate facilities to provide maintenance services as designated in supply bulletins.

d. Furnish medical and dental supplies and equipment required for initial outfitting and mounting out requirements (allowances) and provide maintenance and rehabilitation supply thereof to organizations of the Fleet Marine Forces, both ground and aviation, while located in the western United States.

50058 MARINE CORPS MAINTENANCE CATEGORIES

1. Maintenance functions vary from minor preventive operations to highly specialized repair techniques. The various maintenance operations performed on any item of material must be assigned to specific levels of command in accordance with the primary mission, character, and mobility of the commands involved. To clearly define the assignment of maintenance missions and responsibilities of the various supply facilities within the Marine Corps and in keeping with the policy established by the Department of Defense relative to maintenance missions and responsibilities, all maintenance operations have been grouped into three broad categories: (1) organizational, (2) field, and (3) depot. For the purpose of providing further flexibility and accuracy in defining maintenance operations in the Marine Corps, the three broad categories of maintenance have been subdivided into five echelons, which are numbered consecutively from one through five. These numerical terms, as defined in paragraph 50059, are to be used within the Marine Corps where additional definitions are required to indicate more accurately the scope, mobility, and capabilities of a maintenance organization or facility; or the personnel, time, tools, equipment, and parts which are available, thorized, or required in connection with maintenance operation.

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a. Each echelon will perform any of the maintenance functions of lower echelons when required. Evidence of abuse or lack of pre

(2) As may be specifically authorized by the CMC.

2. To execute the maintenance categories enumerated hereafter requires that all organizations be provided with sufficient trained personnel, equipment, tools, test equipment, supplies, and parts to accomplish their prescribed maintenance mission.

3. Repairs are performed in the lowest echelon of maintenance consistent with the nature of repair, authorized spare parts, tools, equipment, time available, capabilities of personnel, and the tactical situation for Fleet Marine Force organizations or local condition as appropriate.

4. Ordinarily, materiel requiring repair which is beyond the maintenance scope or capability of one echelon is evacuated to the next higher echelon. Evidence of abuse or lack of preventive maintenance on the part of a lower echelon will be reported to the appropriate commander for corrective action to insure strict maintenance discipline.

5. Each echelon is authorized and may perform any of the repair operations or functions of the lower echelons as required by practical or tactical considerations or other circumstances.

50059 MARINE CORPS MAINTENANCE CATEGORIES DEFINED

1. ORGANIZATIONAL MAINTENANCE. Organizational maintenance is that maintenance authorized for, performed by, and the responsibility of, a using organization on its own equipment. This maintenance consists normally of inspecting, cleaning, servicing, preserving, lubricating, and adjusting as required and also may consist of minor parts replacement not requiring highly technical skills. This category incorporates the first and second echelons, as follows:

a. First echelon. First echelon maintenance is that maintenance performed by the user, wearer, or operator of the equipment, in providing the proper care, use, opera

Supply

tion, cleaning, preservation, lubrication, and such adjustment, minor repair, testing, and parts replacement as may be prescribed by pertinent technical publications and tools and parts allowances.

b. Second echelon. Second echelon maintenance is the work designated to be performed by specially trained personnel provided for that purpose in the using organization. Appropriate publications authorize the second echelon of maintenance additional tools, and the necessary parts, supplies, test equipment, and skilled personnel to perform maintenance beyond the capabilities and facilities of the first echelon.

2. FIELD MAINTENANCE. Field maintenance is that maintenance authorized and performed by designated maintenance activities in direct support of a using organi. zation(s). This category normally will be limited to maintenance consisting of replacement of unserviceable parts, subassemblies, or assemblies. Field maintenance incorporates the third and fourth echelons as follows:

a. Third echelon. Third echelon maintenance is that maintenance authorized by appropriate publications to be performed by specially trained units in direct support of using organizations. A unit responsible for third echelon maintenance provides maintenance support to one or more using organizations. In special cases, however, third echelon maintenance may be performed by organic maintenance units within the using organization. Third echelon maintenance is authorized a larger assortment of parts, subassemblies, and assemblies, and more precise tools and test equipment than is provided to using organizations. Organizations authorized to perform third echelon maintenance repair subassemblies and assemblies, and repair the overflow from the lower echelons within limits imposed by specified authorizations of tools, parts, and test equipment. They also support the lower echelons by providing technical assistance and mobile repair crews, and repair parts when necessary.

b. Fourth echelon. Fourth echelon maintenance is that maintenance authorized by appropriate publications to be performed by units organized as semifixed or permanent shops to serve lower echelon maintenance within a geographical area. In certain cases, Fleet Marine Force units may be authorized perform fourth echelon maintenance. Fourth echelon maintenance is authorized a larger assortment of parts, subassemblies, and assemblies, and additional and more precise tools and test equipment than the lower echelons. It may furnish mobile repair reinforcing elements to lower

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