Multifunctional Logistics: Comparing Air Force and Army Constructs
Abstract
The United States Air Force recently implemented a new logistics construct. This construct restructured logistics officer career fields and organization. The most significant results were the creation of multifunctional logistics officers, a new multifunctional logistics squadron, and the dissolution of logistics groups in favor of pure maintenance groups. A similar multifunctional logistics effort began in the United States Army in the early 1980s. This study compares the Air Force and Army logistics constructs in an effort to gain insights that might help improve upon the Air Forces's fledgling multifunctional logistics effort. This study focuses on the core logistics functions of transportation, supply, and maintenance. The comparison is structured using the doctrine, organization, training, and leadership development and education aspects of the joint DOTML-PF framework. The study makes three recommendations. First, the Air Force should reinstitute logistics groups to provide unity of command across the entire logistics enterprise. Second, Logistics readiness officer and maintenance officer training needs to be changed to ensure they each gain the necessary depth and breadth of logistics knowledge and experience. Finally, the current advanced training plan should ensure that Air Force logisticians from all logistics disciplines have the opportunity to undergo meaningful advanced training programs that provide a genuine appreciation and understanding of the interrelationships of the entire logistics system.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA415826
Entities
People
- Anthony T. Dyess
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College