Logistics: The Materiel Means of Modern War

摘要

Logisticians at the operational level of war work to avoid or minimize the limiting effect of culminating points on friendly forces. Unfortunately, the logistics community has done little to understand the nature of war; therefore, it has generated a logistic snowball that ties combat forces down, rather than developing a logistics system that supports maneuver warfare. Currently, the logistical system provides operational commanders with what they want, rather than need. The problem can be overcome by developing a national and military resource strategy that supports national objectives, yet makes combat forces less dependent on a large, non-existant and immobile logistical infrastructure. A resource strategy, combined with technology applied to reduce the logistical limiting effect and coupled with a theater integrated joint logistical management organization, can significantly reduce the limiting effect of logistics on war at the operational level.