Force XXI Logistics: Company-Grade, Multifunctional Logisticians; Setting The Conditions For Success

Abstract

As the Chief of Staff of the Army approves the implementation of the redesign of the Army Of Excellence (AGE) into the Conventional Heavy Division Redesign (CHDR) or, better known as, the Force XXI (FXXI) Division, the ramifications to the tactical logistician are tremendous. The maneuver forces will be smaller, more maneuverable, and more dispersed. Information technologies will have to be leveraged by a more centralized logistical system that is based upon distribution or just in time logistics, not supply based, just in case logistics. The fielding and effective utilization of these information systems will be critical to the success of the logistician. The FXXI design with the implementation of a more centralized and distribution-based system, reorganizes the Forward Support Battalion (FSB). This reorganization takes the modularity of the FSB one step lower and creates Forward Support Companies (FSC) that support each maneuver battalion in the division. A bold step that will now combine organizational and direct support capabilities at the FSB level, across the logistical functions. This step will require trained multifunctional logisticians at the company grade level. Historically, the Army, as an institution, has not trained multifunctional logisticians until the senior captain or field grade level. Currently, the only training courses the Army offers for multifunctional logistical training is the Combined Logistics Officer Advanced Course (CLOAC). This multifunctional training is only provided for captains. Logistical enablers will be required to leverage the limited experience of these young officers. These facts offer serious dilemmas to the FSB commander who is required to ensure that the FSC commander is effective in his or her support to the maneuver battalion. The monograph concludes that the FSB commander must be prudent when assigning officers to the FSC.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 16, 1998
Accession Number
ADA366261

Entities

People

  • Kent S. Marquardt

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Control Systems
  • Distance Learning
  • Doctrine
  • Health Services
  • Information Processing
  • Information Systems
  • Logistics
  • Logistics Management
  • Maintenance
  • Military History
  • Military Science
  • Personnel Management
  • Second World War
  • Students
  • United States
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.
  • Logistics and Supply Chain Management.
  • Military Leadership and Professional Education.