Putting the 'L' in MAGTF: Enabling the Success of MAGTF Logisticians for Today's Fight and Future Conflict

摘要

Despite recent improvements to certain aspects of logistics training and education, the logistics training and education continuum as a whole continues to suffer from institutional neglect. The current logistics training and education continuum is characterized by multiple disparate agencies not acting in concert with each other. The Marine Corps needs to establish a command agency responsible for overseeing the professional development of the Logistics Combat Element (LCE) and serve as the LCE's functional training and education center of excellence. In this capacity, this command should act as the higher headquarters for all logistics training and education institutions, wherever they may be in the Marine Corps. This will allow for a holistic approach to training and education, formalized by specific command structure and ownership. This center of excellence needs to be the agency that owns logistics doctrine and training standards and is responsible for their upkeep and maintenance. As such, this agency will be the Marine Corps' principle outlet to and feedback mechanism from the operating forces. In addition, the Marine Corps should further examine and evaluate the entire logistics training and education continuum, as well as officer assignment policy, to assist in shaping and improving the creation of the described command. Failing to adequately prepare Marine Corps logisticians to operate in complex operational environments will place the effectiveness of the MAGTF at risk. The cost of inaction is a less capable MAGTF that cannot meet the demanding requirements of future operating environments.