"Failure is not Fatal, but Failure to Change Might be": Operational-Level Logistics the Critical Vulnerability for the Marine Corps
Abstract
Logistics is indispensable in modern life, intricately woven into every aspect of daily routine. From eagerly awaiting Amazon packages to relishing an Uber ride to dinner or even getting one's car repaired, every moment of our lives involves a sequence of logistics operations. The Department of Defense recognizes the criticality of logistics in determining the outcome of peer-to-peer conflicts. Therefore, the United States Marine Corps, the Department of Defense's Stand-in Force, must prioritize effective operational-level logistics operations by modernizing its logistics command and control capabilities. This paper is an urgent call for action, admonishing the Marine Corps' antiquated logistics strategy. As the United States first line of defense in the Indo-Pacific theater, the Marine Corps operational-level logistics capabilities are the service's critical vulnerabilities. Logistics command and control structures, total life cycle management strategies, and logistics data management require rehabilitation and innovation. Given the rapidly advancing military capabilities of the People's Republic of China, failing to change will lead to the United States losing a war in the Pacific before it even begins.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 09, 2023
- Accession Number
- AD1206191
Entities
People
- Chelsea R. Scott
Organizations
- Naval War College