The Defense Logistics Agency: Providing Logistics Support throughout the Department of Defense
Abstract
Over 30 years ago, Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara created the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), which is now the sole supplier of almost all Department of Defense (DOD) requirements for consumable items (e.g., hardware, medical supplies, bulk fuels, food, clothing, textiles, etc.). The agency is also responsible for related technical and logistics services, as well as contract administrative services, that are required to support those items. Since the mid-1980s, DOD policies regarding weapon systems management, total quality management, reorganization, and restructuring have affected DLA and the way it supports its international customer base. The latter includes the US military services, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and foreign customers of DOD. Yet, too little is known about DLA's mission, responsibilities, and role in DOD's efforts to provide a strong, flexible defense for our nation. In this study, Maj Nathaniel Robinson reviews the history of DLA, discusses one of its sustainability-improvement programs (the Weapon Systems Support Program), considers the effect of recent DOD decisions on DLA's efforts to support the military services' weapon systems--especially the ones considered essential to maintaining optimum operational readiness--and offers recommendations for improving logistics support of retail/wholesale logistics operations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA273791
Entities
People
- Nathaniel Robinson
Organizations
- Air University