ExPO in Review
What is ExPO? A Quick Synopsis It has been over a year and a half since NAVFAC EXWC’s Expeditionary Division formally merged with the NAVFAC Expeditionary Programs Office to create the new NAVFAC Expeditionary Programs Office—known as ExPO. ExPO is responsible for supporting the fleet in documenting capability requirements; keeping abreast of enabling technologies; developing sustainable materiel solutions as needed to address capability gaps; continuously assessing table of allowance health, and developing acquisition plans to close gaps and fielding materiel solutions with total life cycle systems management. Simply put, ExPO’s expertise includes all activities associated with the development, production, fielding, sustainment and disposal of Department of Defense weapon systems across the life cycle of its supported equipment. The Department of the Navy is not the only branch of the armed forces that benefits from ExPO’s portfolio; ExPO also provides expertise to the United States Marine Corps and other supported commands. A little over 500 employees who specialize in engineering, logistics management, program management and analysis, business and financial management, and equipment maintenance work within ExPO’s ranks. The variability of personnel and its immense portfolio capability can be summed up into two words: vast and vital. Before the merger, NAVFAC leadership requested input from expeditionary employees about the looming stand up of ExPO. A survey was taken across all expeditionary programs, where personnel expressed their hopes, fears, expectations, and general sensitivity to the pending changes; but amidst the uncertainty, the consistent messaging from the new ExPO team was that the focus remains solely on the safety and benefit of the warfighter. After 18 months of growing pains and great successes, the expectations of ExPO remain simple yet focused: transparency, accountability, better overall communication, increased teamwork and efficiently, and defined roles and responsibilities. The ExPO formula of expectations has derived a highly sophisticated and a highly efficient expeditionary program. In this issue of EXWC EDGE, let us take a look at ExPO’s programs and how they have supported the warfighter since the stand-up, spotlights on two teams whose recent successes were—and are—vital to supporting ExPO’s main mission, and a look into ExPO’s fruitful future.
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