The "Oh S@#$ Handle" in Military Acquisition...UON's, JOUN's, JEON's oh my!
The Military Urgent Operational Needs (UON) and Joint Urgent Operational Needs (JUON) program is a procurement initiative utilized by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to quickly acquire critical technologies, capabilities, and systems to address urgent and unforeseen operational needs in the field. This essay will explore the concept, history, and use cases of the UON and JUON program.
The UON program was established in the late 1990s in response to the urgent requirements of Operation Desert Storm. The program aims to provide a rapid and streamlined acquisition process to address urgent operational needs of the military, particularly in combat zones. UONs are defined as operational needs that arise from unforeseen circumstances, which require a solution that cannot be addressed by existing resources or capabilities. The UON program allows for a fast-track acquisition process to provide these solutions quickly and efficiently, helping to save lives and complete missions more effectively.
In 2006, the U.S. military established the Joint Urgent Operational Needs (JUON) program to address urgent requirements that were beyond the scope of a single service or agency. The JUON program is similar to the UON program, but it is designed to facilitate joint acquisition efforts across the entire Department of Defense. The JUON process is intended to enable collaboration between the military branches and agencies to provide a more comprehensive and efficient response to urgent needs.
The UON and JUON programs have been used extensively in recent years to provide critical capabilities to the military. For example, the UON program was used to quickly acquire the MRAP (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicles in response to the escalating threat of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Iraq and Afghanistan. The MRAP program was successful in reducing casualties and providing a higher level of protection to military personnel. The JUON program has also been used to acquire technologies such as the Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit (TALOS), which is a cutting-edge exoskeleton that enhances the physical abilities of soldiers.
The UON and JUON programs have proven to be effective in addressing urgent and unforeseen operational needs. However, there have been criticisms of the programs, particularly regarding the cost of procurement and the potential for the acquisition process to circumvent normal acquisition regulations. To mitigate these concerns, the DoD has implemented additional oversight and review processes to ensure that UON and JUON procurements are justified and cost-effective.
In conclusion, the Military Urgent Operational Needs (UON) and Joint Urgent Operational Needs (JUON) program is an important procurement initiative utilized by the U.S. Department of Defense to quickly acquire critical technologies, capabilities, and systems to address urgent and unforeseen operational needs in the field. These programs have been successful in providing solutions to critical problems faced by military personnel, but they have also been subject to scrutiny and criticism. With appropriate oversight and review processes, the UON and JUON programs can continue to provide a valuable service to the military in addressing urgent operational needs.
To learn more about the UON/JOUN/JEON process... https://aaf.dau.edu/aaf/uca/uons/
