Just-in-Time Operational Logistics, A Naval Warfighter's View.
Abstract
The 'peace dividend' of the post-cold war years is forcing the U.S. military to plan, operate, and fight under tight budgetary conditions. Requirements to balance the national deficit, coupled with a non-descript threat to world (and U.S.) peace are driving the military to examine how it does business and to reduce waste. Radical and innovative concepts are being examined in order to maximize logistics efficiency, while preserving combat readiness. As the 'budgeteers' maneuver to save dollars, warfighters are struggling to maintain a balance between reducing waste and eliminating necessary combat capabilities. 'Just-in-time' inventory is a civilian concept being to military logistics in an effort to improve efficiency and save money. Although the concept has several advantages over conventional warehousing, it was designed to function in the benign civilian free market, not in a war zone or hostile environment. The system is heavily dependent on timely and reliable transportation networks in order to be effective. The U.S. Navy is examining this concept and implementing it on a broad basis. The Navy has a primary mission to conduct prompt and sustained combat operations at sea, in support of national objectives. This concept has the potential to limit the Navy's ability to sustain itself in the forward operating operating areas and may seriously impact the operational commander's focus on his combat mission. To successfully conduct combat operations, an operational commander must comprehend and balance the very structure upon which war is based: strategy, tactics, and logistics. 'Strategy and tactics provide the scheme for the conduct of military operations; logistics provides the means, therefore, for a proper balance between the requirement to present dominant combat fighting power and logistics, efficiency must be maintained.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 13, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA328174
Entities
People
- Jack S. Menendez
Organizations
- Naval War College