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NDTA keeps military, commercial business connected
By Shelia Watson
Contributing Writer
The convergence of commercial and military systems to improve transportation might seem like a case of strange bedfellows, but according to Fred Stribling, president of the Charleston chapter of the National Defense Transportation Association, the concept is just good business for both parties.
“NDTA is about transportation and logistics and providing a forum where both the military and commercial firms can get together and understand the customers’ needs,” said Stribling.
In this case, he said, the customer is the U.S. Department of Defense, although that detail is less important than the fact that the open dialogue on intermodal issues is beneficial for both industry and national security.
“This organization allows the military to see what the commercial side is doing with things like RFID and cargo tracking technology, and at the same time, it allows the commercial companies to see what DOD is doing to keep the visibility of cargo movements worldwide,” he said. “Because, face it, the military has transportation going on all around the world and is shipping cargo by all modes. It’s a great opportunity to collaborate and study each other’s strengths in cargo movement and cargo accountability through software or other tracking technology.”
With a background in both military and commercial logistics, as well as his current position as vice president of marketing and sales for the S.C. State Ports Authority, Stribling knows a thing or two about the transportation industry. Prior to joining the SPA in 2001, he worked briefly as an independent contractor following nearly 15 years at Sea-Land Service working in management positions in terminal operations, line sales and corporate marketing.
He also served in the U.S. Army Transportation Corps in both active duty and reserve unit assignments, finishing his military career as the deputy brigade commander after serving several years in the 1176th Transportation Terminal Brigade in Baltimore.
Stribling said the commercial side often looks to the DOD as a customer, while the DOD looks to the commercial transportation industry as partners in their efforts.
“The commercial side can be a ‘force multiplier,’ which means the government doesn’t have to have staff, in both peace and war time, truck drivers and shippers and all the people that are needed in transportation,” he explained. “DOD can expand deployment and throughout capabilities for cargo and passenger movements by partnering with commercial
transportation companies.”
NDTA was incorporated in Washington, D.C., in 1944 as an educational nonprofit organization. Combining the transportation industry’s skills with the expertise of the government and military, the worldwide association has more than 8,000 members in 83 chapters in 31 countries and is supported by some of the most influential transportation and intermodal service companies in the world.
NDTA also assists local, state and federal governments, when requested to do so, in planning for transportation and domestic emergencies.
Charleston, the first area to organize a chapter more than 50 years ago, will host the upcoming 61st annual Transportation and Logistics Forum & Exposition, which will be held Sept. 15-19 at the Charleston Area Convention Center in North Charleston.
Stribling said the forum will include every major ocean liner carrier trucking company that does business with DoD as well as other companies that are connected to the transportation industry, such as hotel chains, real estate relocation companies and rental car companies.
“It’s not just government cargo that moves but also soldiers and sailors, and they need temporary lodging,” he said. “Transportation involves a lot of things. That’s one of the great things about this organization and this forum – that it gives you a chance to look at things outside the standard business model.”
Registration for the forum is expected to reach about 1,000, with some high-profile military brass in attendance.
“We usually have a four-star in charge of the U.S. transportation command – what we call ‘Transcom’ – who over oversees the Air Mobility Command, the Surface Deployment & Distribution Command and the Military Sealift Command,” he said. “And we’ll have a senior executive from the commercial side too.”
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