Should the Department of Defense Establish a Unified U.S. Logistics Command?

Abstract

This monograph asserts that DoD should establish a Unified Combatant Command (COCOM)-level U.S. Logistics Command (USLOGCOM). DoD should begin a deliberate 10-20 year process to establish a USLOGCOM. As an intermediate and immediate step, DoD should make the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) an operational subordinate command of the U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM). The monograph also makes additional recommendations that work toward an eventual USLOGCOM, including returning the Defense Contract Management Agency to DLA control and placing additional feeding and fueling functions in theater under DLA's control. Appointment of USTRANSCOM as the Distribution Process Owner for DoD was an important step. The merger of USTRANSCOM and DLA is a logical progression and is in the intent of the Goldwater-Nichols legislation. U.S. Strategic Command provides valuable insights and a model to follow in making an agency a joint functional component subordinate of an existing COCOM. Two NATO allies have already formed unified logistics organizations. The construct of the unified logistics branch of the German or British military goes well beyond what this monograph recommends, and well beyond any reputable proposal found in research for this monograph. While these allies' experience is not identical to any reputable reorganization proposal for DoD, their experience is relevant as DoD considers a road map for potential strategic logistics reorganization. The monograph prominently includes the perspectives of senior leaders on the question of forming a USLOGCOM. While the metric only includes the above-mentioned historical studies, the flag officers' opinions on the topic obviously carry the most weight. These are the senior leaders who will recommend and eventually decide whether a USLOGCOM is formed.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 22, 2008
Accession Number
ADA494098

Entities

People

  • Frank Wenzel

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • C4I
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Base Closures
  • Combatant Commanders
  • Electronic Mail
  • Law
  • Logistics
  • Military Force Levels
  • Military Hospitals
  • Military Science
  • National Security
  • Organizational Structure
  • Supply Chain
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Unified Combatant Commands
  • United States Transportation Command
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Aerospace logistics and air mobility.
  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Theoretical Analysis.