Maritime Logistical Support - Can We Sustain Our Armed Forces during War?
Abstract
The basic question is whether or not sufficient merchant ship and crews are available to sustain our forces during war. Both the civilian and military leadership of this nation are focusing more attention on this question. Although as a nation, we generally recognize that the numbers of the US merchant ships and seamen are declining, we don't seem to understand the consequences. This study looks at the consequences of the United States having to sustain our armed forces in a credible wartime scenario. Background information, insights and data were gathered from a literature search, visits, and personal interviews with maritime officials. The individual programs of various agencies and organizations intended to provide this nation with an effective merchant marine are laudable. However, it is disconcerting to observe the failure of this nation to set forth a national maritime policy that provides a capstone for all the individual programs. It is concluded that we do not have sufficient numbers of several ship-types to sustain our armed forces in a war. Although sufficient seamen are available today, this will not be the case at the end of this decade.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 08, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADA119692
Entities
People
- Arthur Eugene Henn
- Ora Franklin Fraze
Organizations
- United States Army War College