New Orleans, Louisiana -- With the right leader, a small team can make a mighty impact. As the Marine Force Reserve (MFR) liaison, where efficiency and precision are paramount, Mr. Keith L. Pruski leads a team tasked with executing Force Design 2030 actions, his days are a whirlwind of strategic planning, meticulous coordination, and unwavering dedication to the readiness of our nation.
Pruski is assigned to 2d Force Storage Battalion, Marine Force Storage Command, which is headquartered in Albany, Ga. But Pruski is physically located in New Orleans, with the Marine Force Reserve G-4, to remain connected and maintain awareness of their needs and requirements. He has been named the Marine Corps Civilian Logistician of the year for 2024, and to those familiar with his work ethic and the precise nature of his actions, the announcement came as no surprise.
Col. Shannon Dubow, Assistant Chief of Staff, G4, MARFORRES says that she doesn’t think anyone else could have handled the complexity of what was required over the past year in the same way that Pruski has. “I firmly believe that logistics actions in support of Force Design in MARFORRES are inherently more complicated than that of the active component. Mr. Pruski’s leadership coupled with his logistics expertise were the key attributes that brought order to what very well could have been chaos.”
As the head of a diverse team of contractors and temporarily assigned Marines from 2d Force Storage Battalion, Mr. Pruski orchestrates various logistics actions, ensuring that every move aligns seamlessly with the Marine Corps' objectives. From the activation of new units to the closure of obsolete facilities, his team navigates the complexities of relocation, divestment, and redistribution with unparallel skill. With meticulous attention to detail, his team ensures that every item finds its rightful place, whether it be in the hands of another unit or disposed of.
Unlike the MEFs, The MFR does not have traditional Initial Issue Points or Equipment Control Points, which results in everything the MFR is issued, or divesting being moved or shipped to or from one of their 150 plus locations across the United States. Pruski explains that a continual flow of communication and monitoring is required to pull it off seamlessly. “For new equipment fielding we require constant communication with Marine Corps Systems Command and Marine Corps Logistics Command. For divestment we require continuous liaison with DLA-DS since many of MFRs units DLA drop off sites can be hundreds of miles or several states away.”
In 2023, Pruski and his team closed or relocated eight units, divested, or redistributed over 84 thousand items, relocated over 59 thousand items, and divested over 7 thousand. The team also handled the fielding of over 7 thousand items. In total $391 million of assets got where they needed to be, and they got there in the most proficient way possible.
Deactivations, the most labor-intensive of tasks, are tackled with precision and foresight. Mr. Pruski's team conducts thorough analysis to determine the proper distribution of each piece of equipment, orchestrating appropriate movement to fulfill unit shortfalls and streamline readiness. As an example, Pruski explained that sometimes deactivation results in fairly new facilities in good recruiting locations being emptied out, creating an opportunity for units that are in substandard building or poor recruiting areas to move into the emptied location.
Relocations present a unique set of challenges, requiring months of advance planning and coordination. Mr. Pruski's team, along with the Marine Force Reserve G-4, work together to streamline the process, identifying excess equipment and divesting it before any movement takes place to minimize disruptions and reduce costs. Whether executing short-distance transfers or orchestrating cross-country relocations, they aim for precision to ensure a smooth transition for every unit.
Closures, though less frequent, demand no less attention to detail. Mr. Pruski's mantra of "pencils, plate carriers, and pistols" guides his team as they meticulously catalog and divest every item from vacated facilities, leaving no loose ends behind.
Despite the geographic dispersion of MFR units, Mr. Pruski's leadership ensures seamless coordination. Constant communication with supply chains, close liaison with agencies like DLA-Distribution Services, and a keen eye for detail are the cornerstones of his success.
When asked how he managed to coordinate the movement of over 104 thousand Class XII items, without the need to relocate or divest a single item after its initial shipment, Pruski cited close coordination with unit supply, MSC supply, and MFR supply to verify requirements and on hand quantities and verification of Unit Identification Codes and TAC 2 addresses as the primary contributors to the success. “The MFR has specific nuances with UICs and TAC2 addresses. Our team pays close attention to the details to get the new equipment in to the hands of the warfighters as quickly and accurately as possible.”
Through it all, Mr. Pruski remains the epitome of humility and professionalism. His dedication to his team and the Marine Corps mission shines through in every action, earning him the respect and admiration of colleagues and superiors alike.
LtCol. Timothy C. Fretwell, commander, 2d Force Storage Battalion, commented on the leadership skills and problem-solving initiative, stating that "Thanks to Pruskis's successful coordination with multiple agencies and meeting timelines and fiscal constraints, his efforts guaranteed mission accomplishment and positively impacted the enterprise."
When news arrived of his selection as civilian logistician of the year, Mr. Pruski was humbled by the recognition. For him, the true reward lies in the knowledge that his efforts have contributed to the success of the Marine Corps and the readiness of its forces.
“I am extremely proud of my diverse team working all across the country, mostly outdoors, performing mostly physical labor, sometimes in less-than-ideal environmental conditions, and in 3+ years we have had zero safety incidents while executing the movement of hundreds of thousands of items.”
Pruski, along with the other winners of this year’s Marine Corps Installation and Logistics awards will be recognized at the 2024 Marine Corps Association Installations and Logistics Awards Dinner on March 6 in Alexandria, Va.