A critical factor in maintaining operations until successful accomplishment and redeployment of a force is the degree of sustenance through logistics and personnel services. Military leaders must integrate joint logistics operations at Joint Forces Land Component Command (JFLCC) level. Joint logistics refers to the coordination and synchronization of 2 or more combatant commands' logistics properties to support a joint power. It is a complex process that relies on the joint logistics enterprise (JLEnt), unity of effort, and rapid response. The sustainment of operations at the JFLCC level depends on the principles of sustainment and logistics.
The seven principles that define logistics are responsiveness, simplicity, flexibility, economy, attainability, sustainability, and survivability. The principle of responsiveness focuses on providing the right support at the right time and right place (Department of the Army, 2013). Logisticians in a JFLCC setting can practice the principle of responsiveness by closely monitoring the execution of operations and battle rhythm to anticipate logistics issues and adjust appropriately. Simplicity enhances control over and efficiency of logistics operations. It constitutes the clarity of tasks, defined command relationships, and standardized procedures (Department of the Army, 2013). The absence of simplicity can potentially cause situational uncertainties among military personnel.
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Flexibility involves adapting logistics functions to changing circumstances. Logistics should respond effectively to unexpected changes in the unstable and highly unpredictable war environment and provides a wide array of support options to commanders (Joint Staff, 2013). The principle of economy involves the ability to attain the most with the least resources. The equipment, units, and personnel reflect the degree of the economy at operational and tactical levels. Attainability is a critical principle as far as joint logistics is concerned. It involves using available support, supplies, capacity, and distribution capabilities to initiate operations at an acceptable risk level (Department of the Army, 2013). The principle holds that logisticians should attain logistics goals at minimum requirements.
Sustainability focuses on accomplishing military objectives by maintaining a sufficient level and duration of logistic support. The principle ensures that logisticians maintain a desirable level of materials, forces, and consumables to support military operations (Department of the Army, 2013). Lastly, the principle of survivability is an organization's ability to prevail in the face of adverse conditions (Department of the Army, 2013). The principle of survivability suggests that logistics should be able to conquer potential threats. Achieving such a survivability level requires the responsible logistic team to identify and develop plans designed to protect and mitigate losses in the critical logistics infrastructure to ensure continuity. As far as war is concerned, logistics infrastructure differs from the conventional infrastructure. It encompasses seaports, airfields, depots, military installations, and supply points.
The principles of sustainment and logistics share certain similarities but also differ to a significant degree. The commonalities between the two include the elements of responsiveness, simplicity, economy, and survivability. Sustainment and logistics share the above principles for two main reasons. First, they are both designed to serve the same purpose. Both sustainment and logistics are necessary functions in enabling strategic and operational reach, facilitating army endurance, and maintaining combat power as outlined in the United States Army Doctrine Publication 4-0 (Department of the Army, 2014). Secondly, logistics is a product of sustainment, which is essential to maintain military operations successfully.
Despite the similarities, principles of sustainment contain certain elements missing in the seven principles of logistics. They include anticipation, improvisation, and integration. Each of the principles addresses a different aspect of sustainment. For instance, under the anticipation principle, the military personnel should foresee requirements and proactively respond without an operation order. The integration principle demands that the military combine all its sustainment operations with the unity of command and effort. Finally, the improvisation principle suggests that military administration should adapt sustainment operations in preparations for the unanticipated outcomes. The differences signify the extent of difference in the scope between sustainment and logistics.
Leaders should conduct the sustainment preparation of the operational environment (SuSPOE) at an initial deployment stage. SuSPOE involves performing an in-depth analysis of an operational environment to determine environmental factors, resource requirements, and infrastructure to optimize or harm the forces (Department of the Army, 2014). An operations commander needs to conduct SuSPOE before deployment to ensure the prevailing conditions are conducive enough to support and sustain the operations plan (Department of the Army, 2014). In some instances, sustainment planners conduct SuSPOE before designing an operation plan to understand the basis of establishment of a sound sustainable plan.
SuSPOE is a multidisciplinary approach headed by the theatre sustainment command (TSC). The United States Army logistics headquarters' mission is to command sustainment brigades involved in supplies, transportation, maintenance, field services, and other warfare areas. Other organizations involved include the institutional army, defense logistics agency (DLA), defense health agency (DHA), and operational forces (Department of the Army, 2014). The institutional army encompasses multiple army organizations whose primary role is to generate and sustain an operational army's employment capabilities. DLA is responsible for offering support during war and in times of peace. Also, the agency is responsible for the distribution and disposal of hazardous wastes. The DHA is an integrated agency that ensures the army has adequate medical support in logistics and facilities.
The SuSPOE process features many information collections sources at governmental and commercial levels. The United States Department of State serves as an excellent source of quality information with its worldwide military attaché offices and embassies. The Army Civil Affairs units also provide valuable insights into operations (AO) to enable review and operational plans. Additional information sources include publications on both the internet and offline platforms. The SuSPOE team accesses the collected information for review and sustainment assessment. The primary focus of available information regarding sustainment preparation is public safety, public health, transportation, and civilian supply.
A logistic estimate is crucial to the mission analysis phase of a brigade combat team (BCT). Logistic estimate offers an accurate estimation of logistic requirements that aides the BCT logistic planners in their military decision-making process (MDMP). The BCT logistic planning team submits an elaborate logistic estimate document that details sufficient information on distance, consumption rates, requirements, and other factors for future missions. The absence of logistic forecasting can be damaging for a military operation. It can result in unneeded distribution and cause backhaul of large quantities of supply.
Logistic estimate occurs in nine steps, known as classes. Class I is concerned with subsistent requirements (water and meals). Class I forecasting is based on the primary population. Class II (clothing and individual equipment) focuses on the supply of critical equipment, office supplies, and clothing. Class III ensures a BCT has an adequate supply of oils, lubricants, and petroleum needed to conduct military operations. Class IV looks more into the AO during the planning phase to assess the level of barrier and construction materials needed for military operations. Class V determines the amount of ammunition required through the Total Ammunition Management Information System. Class VIII is concerned with medial material, with Class IX looking into repair parts and components.
In addition to the steps above, logisticians should pay attention to key considerations when making estimates. The first consideration is proper planning, which usually serves as the first step in accomplishing task management. Proper planning will enable logisticians to make accurate estimates of the military needs for an entire operation. Another consideration is efficient transportation. Military organizations can examine the military transport department on how to reduce logistics expenditures. The goal of the transportation system is to ensure faster deliveries at minimal costs. Thus, the transportation department must determine the best delivery route that is safe and fast. The department should also ensure cost-effective packing that confirms low investment and security of goods. Another consideration is using automated systems to increase the accuracy of logistics estimate and logistic process optimization.
The three doctrinal configurations of a sustainment brigade include command, control, and communication. The brigade should establish a command climate for the command and prepare it for operations. It accomplishes this by visualizing operations' nature and design through estimates and inputs Department of the Army, 2016). A sustainment brigade directs with mission orders that enable subordinates to understand the mission and its purpose. They achieve useful command and control through a comprehensive command and control system. The system is a combination of organizations, advanced technology, people, and procedures to allocate resources and direct execution where necessary (Department of the Army, 2016). The communication configuration is concerned with the speed and accuracy of passing information between involved parties.
Sustainment is a critical function in the management of military operations. The quality of military sustainment is primarily responsible for the success or failure of a BCT deployment. It is essentially concerned with the endowment of logistics and people's services to sustain military operations when completed successfully. As such, the concept of logistics is critical in military operations. It determines the extent to which military personnel can access essential materials, equipment, and the likes. The essay offers valuable insights into the role of sustainment and principles of logistics in managing military operations.
References
Department of the Army. (2013). Joint Publication 4-0 (2013), Joint Logistics. Retrieved from https://www.jcs.mil/Portals/36/Documents/Doctrine/pubs/jp4_0ch1.pdf?ver=2020-07-20-083800-823
Department of the Army. (2014). Army Techniques Publication 4-0.1 (2014), Army Theater Distribution. Retrieved from https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/meta/ALL/web/ATP%204-0.pdf
Department of the Army. (2016). ST 4-1 (2016) Theater Sustainment Battle Book. Retrieved from https://pdfslide.net/documents/theater-sustainmentpdf.html
Department of the Army. Guidebook for Joint Force Land Component Commander. Retrieved from https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=784073
