Balancing Act: The U. S. Military's Reliance on Contractors to Fulfill Operational-Level Logistical Requirements
Abstract
This paper examines an overreliance on contractors by the U.S. military. During the past 15 years (1999-2014) the U.S. military has grown accustomed to using contractors to perform a large majority of logistical functions when executing operational-level logistics. Without budget constraints, the U.S. military has turned to contractors and their services to fulfill shortfalls in organic logistical capabilities and capacities. This overreliance on contractors has led to atrophy in the military's logistical forces. With the Iraq war done and the Afghanistan war ending, the U.S. military is downsizing. A smaller military will further restrict what objectives our logistics forces can accomplish. A balance must be reached to ensure logistical forces do not atrophy, while concurrently incorporating contractors when and where it makes the most sense. Future conflicts must continue to use contractors and contracted resources as force multipliers. Contractors, in conjunction with organic logistical forces, will ensure that operational-level commanders have the ability to deploy forces quickly, provide the longevity to sustain the force during protracted operations, and afford the operational reach to prevent culmination due to inadequate logistics.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 15, 2014
- Accession Number
- ADA609814
Entities
People
- Michael A. Laporte
Organizations
- Naval War College