The Joint Logistics Commanders (JLC) are composed of the commanders of the US Army Materiel Readiness and Development Command, Air Force Logistics Command, and Air Force Systems Command as well as the Chief of Naval Material. The JLC meet regularly with the Deputy Secretary of Defense. Their purpose is to resolve common concerns and, where possible, to achieve efficiencies by combining efforts. The day-to-day activities of the JLC are carried out by joint panels and groups.

One such group is the Joint Technical Coordinating Group on Simulators and Training Devices (JTCG-STD). Its purpose, as stated in its charter from the JLC, is to identify opportunities to coordinate or consolidate programs in research and development, acquisition, and operation and support of training devices and to implement plans to reduce the cost and/or increase the effectiveness of military simulators and training devices.

That is a large order. To accomplish it requires breaking it into manageable tasks. Each year the JTCG-STD will review proposals for efforts which have high payoffs to two or more services. The best of these will be chosen to be presented to the JLC as candidates for JLC sponsorship. JLC sponsored tasks will be managed by a single command with assistance from the others.

The first three tasks chosen for JLC sponsorship are to develop (1) a standard Defense Mapping Agency data base transformation program, (2) a library of standard electronic warfare threat data bases, and (3) standard training device software acquisition management procedures. The efforts will commence in FY 84 and FY 85. Future initiatives for JLC sponsorship are solicited, and the method for submitting them to the JTCG-STD is outlined.