The Influence of the Logistics System on Supply Support
Abstract
Logistics focuses on the provision and utilization of capital and resources, which translates into combat power. Combat power is an important vantage of warfighting, thus logistics and combat service support, the activity of providing logistics, also drives operations. Moreover, logistic processes such as acquisition, distribution, sustainment, and disposition enable logistic activities to be conducted. One of these activities is supply support, which is the function of requisitioning, processing, monitoring, distributing, receipting, and issuing the demand for materiel. "Although the flow of supply support is normally considered to end with issue of required materiel to the user, whatever supply support is required to satisfy the user's requirements must continue." Also, supply support has the greatest potential impact on MAGTF commander's ability to integrate essential elements of firepower, mobility, and sustainability. Sustainment and enhancement of the relative combat power of the MAGTF is the objective of supply support. In order to perform supply support, a military organization must have a logistics system. A logistics system is tailored in size, structure, and procedure in support of the mission. Furthermore, it is comprised of personnel, facilities, equipment, training, and education. Fundamentally, all logistics systems have two elements: a distribution system, made up of bases and distribution procedures and command and control. Supported by several sources, including anecdotal accounts and lessons learned from Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), the effectiveness and efficiency of supply support are directly influenced by the advancement of theater distribution and command and control (C2) architecture, or the logistics system.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA525377
Entities
People
- E. J. Smith
Organizations
- Marine Corps War College