Introduction

Military logistics is the discipline of planning and carrying out the movement, supply, and

maintenance of military forces. It is also noticeable that within this definition, the three

principles of logistics are clearly stated as the “planning” aspect refers to the Strategic level,

“carrying out the movement” refers to the Tactical level and the “maintenance of military

forces” refers to the Operational Level.

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 Objective

The Chief of Defence Staff under the directives of the Prime minister has decided to launch another

State of Public Emergency (SOPE). Due to the location of the operation, it has been decided that a

Forward Operational Base (FOB) be stood up within the community. As the person in charge of

logistics, outline:

 The functions to be carried out in relations under all three levels of logistics

 Activities to be carried out in relation to the Principles of Logistics

 Outline the plan of action for the sustainment factors

 State briefly how you would use these factors to maintain the troops during the period of the

operation.

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 Strategic Level

The top-level of logistics is responsible for the long-term decision making. The decisions

made at this level lay the groundwork for the entire Logistics operation. Strategic logistics is

planning carried out within the framework of the overall Military goals and plan. It therefore

requires an in-depth understanding as to how the different elements and logistics activities

relate in terms of procurement of weapons and equipment, recruiting, training, facilities and

bases are established and the total cost to the organisation. Logistics can therefore best

formulate its own strategy only by understanding the overall Military strategy.

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At the strategic level, there are a number of considerations made when establishing a forward

Operational Base (FOB). These factors are:

1. Facility Location

2. Operation Strategy

3. Inventory Management

4. Information Systems

5. Material Handling

6. Traffic and Transportation

1. Facility location

The most important factor in selecting a site is to ensure it will fulfill mission requirements.

Lines of communication (LOC) must be built to accomplish a specific mission in the most

direct and efficient manner possible. All location factors must be evaluated to support the

mission.

2. Operations strategy

Operations strategy is the plan developed by the Command that illustrates how they plan to

achieve the desire intent. This plan is constructed after the overall strategy of the

Commander has been created; thus, the operations strategy supports the strategic direction

of the force.

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 3. Inventory management

Inventory management refers to the process of ordering, storing and using of items of

military inventory. Military inventory management is an important area in military

decision support where the planning of stock levels is critical. ... The availability of the

correct amount of stock can enhance the preparedness, efficiency, and responsiveness of

the military which can result in saving human lives. This is where considerations of

Weapons and Ammunition, Medical post and supplies, Ration, Water, POL,

Accommodation stores, cleaning Materials, expendables and other specialize/specific

equipment needed to properly complete the task at hand are examined and the calculated

amount required are suggested for procurement and storage.

4. Information system

An information system (IS) is a formal, sociotechnical, organizational system designed to

collect, process, store, and distribute information. From a sociotechnical perspective,

information systems are composed by four components: task, people, structure (or roles), and

technology. Information systems can be defined as an integration of components for

collection, storage and processing of data of which the data is used to provide information,

contribute to knowledge that facilitate decision making. Communications equipments such

radios, receivers, computers are all considered.

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 5. Material Handling

Material handling is the movement, protection, storage and control of materials and products

throughout warehousing, distribution, consumption and disposal. As a process, material

handling incorporates a wide range of manual, semi-automated and automated equipment and

systems that support logistics and make the supply chain work. Their application helps with

forecasting rate of usage and changes to requirements due to increase in operational activities

6. Traffic and transportation

Military vehicle  indicates any vehicle for land-based military transport and activity,

including combat vehicles; both specifically designed for, or significantly used

by military and armed forces. With that being said its important to identify what means of

transportation to and from the FOB will be required for both troop and equipment transport

and also the for operational purposes.

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 Tactical Level

Tactical logistics management. Arrangement and organisation required to ensure that

desired products and information are made available to the troops at the designated time and

place, in the required condition and quantity and at correct price... Tactical logistics

management follows logistics strategy. This second level of logistics is involved with all of

the short and medium-term decisions of the supply chain. While the strategic level takes care

of the general and ‘big-picture’ decision, this level is usually where manufacturing processes

are defined. This is where manufacturing processes will be defined to ensure that a high

quality product can be made for the lowest cost possible. This involves the coordination of

function required to sustain units, personnel, equipment and supplies. These functions must

deliver flexible and responsive combat service support to meet the need of the forces engaged

in operations. This is where knowledge of how many troops will be deployed to this new

FOB, the Duration/ length of operations, the Distance, not only to the FOB from a main

base but also within the theatre as this will determine the size, shape, structure and the

balance of the logistics resources committed to it. Therefore if resources are stretched in too

wide of a radius and for example check points are to far and wide apart addition resources

may be required to fill possible gaps. The Demand Stemmed from the commander may

intensify operations or decreases it from a high Surge to a Steady State with a moderate

cyclical state in between. Most importantly the Destination sets the overall environment in

which the operation is to take place. The environment determines the conditions for the

pattern of wear and tear on equipment and the physiological demands of the troops.

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 Operational Level

Operational level strategy refers to the means the command use to accomplish overall

objectives. Through the development of operational strategies, the command can evaluate

and implement efficient systems for the use of resources and personnel. Operational

Logistics focuses on making sure that the right amount and quality of materials and goods

are produced and delivered to the correct recipients according to schedule. The work

involves production and service operations, with operations and logistics workers

responsible for managing the supply chain, from purchasing raw materials to the production

cycle to end delivery. In business operations, operations and logistics managers implement

and manage systems for “efficient deployment of personnel, physical facilities, in-process

inventories, finished goods, and related information or services.

Principles of Logistics

The principles of logistics provide a valuable checklist against which the commander can

judge logistics plans. There are five (5) principles of logistics, they are:

 Foresight

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  Economy
 Simplicity
 Cooperation
 Flexibility

Foresight

All key players must be present in the original planning stage so to ensure all possible loop

holes can be identified and provision made to counter and combat any sudden change that

would have affected operations.

Economy

Effectiveness and Efficiency must be of the highest order so to not use more than what is

required to get the job done. Resources must to be management impeccably so ensure only

what is required is exerted.

Simplicity

A simple plan is more likely to survive the stress of intensive operations or sudden shock. It

must be simple, correlated with logistics in accordance with mission specifics, as well as

clear and concise. Logistics procedures that are simple contribute to the avoidance of

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confusion and to provide logistic support adapted to operational requirements. Less

complexities found in the plan makes it easily communicated.

Cooperation

Cooperation is an important principle underlying the planning of training of peace-keeping

forces in peacetime, the adoption of a common logistic system whereby the operators have

common visions to underpin the successful completion of the main mission of each military

unit. This principle must be based on the mutual trust of participants in military exercises.

This transparency among every one involve fosters a unified approach which is crucial when

establishing these times of operations.

Flexibility

The ability to still operate even after unforeseen variables are presented can be a major

determinant of, the mission or operations being successful or not. This involves the permanent

adaptation of logistics planning and management structures as well as of logistics

implementation structures to the change of military activities in the “.Main Activities Plan”,

which underlies the training of peacekeeping forces in peacetime.

Sustainment

The goal of a sustainable logistics system is to improve profitability and reduce

environmental impact for long-term performance. The sustainable logistics system considers

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three aspects: economics, the environment, and social that are essential for a logistics system.

Sustainment is the provision of logistics, personnel services, and HSS necessary to maintain

operations until mission is accomplish. The provision of sustainment is an integrated process

inextricably linked to operations. From a strategic perspective sustainment builds army

combat readiness, delivers a combat ready army, and maintain combat power and endurance

across the depth of the operational area.

Sustainment factors

Rations: - contracts for fresh rations are to be established within the theatre as early as

possible. Ration well be brought onto and prepare at the FOB to offer troops with meals at the

warmest temperatures possible whilst also reducing travel back and forth from the main base

to collect meals which can be time consuming.

Water: - fresh water sources are to be established in the theatre as the earliest possible

opportunity and a reserve of 5 days to be held in bulk. The relevant regulatory provider of

this commodity will be contacted and along with a team of engineers will make the

arrangements of pipeline instalments to provide fresh water onto the FOB.

POL: - contracts for POL are to be established. Vehicles will receive petrol from within the

main base and will be taken in for petrol on reaching the establish minimal. Other oils and

lubricants will be ascertained and stored properly to be available when needed

Ammunition: - reserve ammunition is to be made available within the theatre and are to be

made available for rapid redeployment or any surge in demand. A make shift ammo bunker is

to be establish to house the additional ammunition required to be reserve under lock and key.

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Equipment: - the availability of certified personnel to deal with equipment malfunctions. On

based mechanics, technicians and armourers will be attached from the relevant support units

to handle vehicle, equipment and weapon malfunctions.

Sustaining the troop

Sustaining the man embraces both the physical and moral components. It brings the human

dimension to logistics and demonstrates the close relationship between the G1 and G4

functions. The physical needs of the man to combat the environment and survive wounding,

must be addressed in order to maintain the fighting strength of the troops.

These are some keys factors in sustaining the man:

 Maintaining the fighting strength

 Reinforcement

 Maintaining morale

 Discipline.

Maintaining the fighting strength – all necessary Gear/Equipment that affect the physical

needs of the man to combat the environment and survive wounding, must be addressed in

order to maintain the fighting strength of the troops. Therefore sourcing the best quality and

most cost efficient equipment that offer some level of comfort to troops will boost moral and

desire to complete task at hand.

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Reinforcement - this speaks to the establishment of a proper relieving system that offers

troops sufficient rest and relaxation so to ease the inner tension built up during prolonged

durations on duty.

Maintaining morale – there are a lot of technique that can be used to boost morale of troops,

but nothing more than frequent and effective communication from the commander. Troops

need reassurance of the importance of the work being done and the part they are playing but

time off and other incentives also provides equal results.

Discipline – discipline must be maintained as it does not only ensure command and control

but also could be life saving. Rules implemented can be the difference between life

threatening situations and normality. Rules keep troops in check and also help to prevent

mission compromise.

Conclusion

It is essential for any organization to understand the three levels of Logistics, as the line

between order and disorder lyes within logistics.

Sustainability is more than just reducing logistics costs. It also means looking at the

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materials you use throughout the operation, taking note of eventualities so as to better plan

and prepare in the event of similar reoccurrence.

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