Sustaining the Long War
Abstract
Logisticians have studied for decades, methods to right size the logistics footprint on the battlefield while simultaneously maintaining capacity and capability. The logistical support structures and organizations have not changed as rapidly or to the degree required to support the emerging current strategic, operational, and tactical formations. The Army's distribution based logistical system, commonly referred to as just-in-time or distribution based logistics, works well in the continental United States (CON US) but creates a very brittle supply system that is at much higher risk of failure in today's environment due to inflexibility and vulnerability to damage and destruction. The current logistical system is at the brink of failure; our Army is at the tipping point of not having the capacity or the capability to sustain ground forces for an extended campaign. This paper evaluates the logistical transformation to determine whether the Army has the ability to perform its responsibility to sustain ground forces over an extended battlefield and for the long war.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 28, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA469589
Entities
People
- Sharon L. Leary
Organizations
- United States Army War College