SUSTAINMENT: Logistics (Part 2)

Yesterday we covered the well known parts of logistics – maintenance, supply and transportation. Today we’ll get into some of the less well-known (to non-logisticians) aspects, plus review all of logistics in the detail deep dive.

As always, italics added for our emphasis, and […] indicates we cut out stuff we thought was fluff. And, as always: you’re smarter reading the pub yourself to be exactly sure

The Big Ideas:

• Field services

• Distribution

• Operational contract support

• General engineering

The major takeaways:

• Field services includes

  • aerial delivery

  • food service

  • shower and laundry

  • contingency fatality operations

  • water purification.

• Distribution is the operational process of synchronizing all elements of the logistics system to deliver the “right things” to the “right place” at the “right time” to support the geographic combatant commander. (Think supply and transportation combined. Most battalion FSCs and maneuver brigade BSBs have distro platoons or companies (typically A Co of a BSB).)

• Operational contract support encompasses the entire process of planning and obtaining supplies, services, and construction from commercial sources in support of combatant commander-directed operations.

• General engineering consists of those engineering capabilities and activities, other than combat engineering, that provide infrastructure and modify, maintain, or protect the physical environment.

Diving deep in the doctrinal details:

FIELD SERVICES

1-30. Field services includes aerial delivery, food service, shower and laundry, contingency fatality operations, and water purification. These services enhance unit effectiveness and mission success by providing for Soldier basic needs. Field services maintain combat strength of the force by providing for its basic needs and promoting its health, welfare, morale, and endurance. Field services provide life support functions. ATP 4-42 has additional information on field services. A means of providing support is Force Provider, which can provide life support capabilities for Soldier sustainment during operations. It can also support humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and noncombatant evacuation operations. For additional details, see ATP 4-45.

DISTRIBUTION

1-36. Distribution is the operational process of synchronizing all elements of the logistics system to deliver the “right things” to the “right place” at the “right time” to support the geographic combatant commander (JP 4-0). It delivers the right quantity as determined by logisticians in synchronization with operational commanders and mission. Distribution is more than physical distribution of materiel; it also includes synchronizing the functions of warehousing, inventory control, outbound transportation, materials handling, packaging, communications, and services such as maintenance.

1-37. Distribution provides operational commanders with endurance and operational reach. It ensures that forces are receiving the materiel when needed and in the right quantities. Sustainment planners establish a distribution system in theater to support the needs of operational forces. The distribution system extends from the source of supply to the point of need (ATP 4-0.1).

OPERATIONAL CONTRACT SUPPORT

1-38. Operational contract support encompasses the entire process of planning and obtaining supplies, services, and construction from commercial sources in support of combatant commander-directed operations. The operational contract support process begins when a requiring activity identifies a need for commercial support, and it concludes with contract closeout. Both acquisition (contracting officers) and non-acquisition personnel and activities have operational contract support roles and responsibilities in this process. For more information, see ATP 4-10.

GENERAL ENGINEERING SUPPORT

1-39. General engineering consists of those engineering capabilities and activities, other than combat engineering, that provide infrastructure and modify, maintain, or protect the physical environment (JP 3-34). It encompasses those engineer tasks that establish and maintain the infrastructure required to conduct and sustain military operations. Although primarily executed through general engineering resources, engineers combine capabilities from all three engineering disciplines (combat, general, and geospatial) to enable logistics and force protection.

1-40. General engineering tasks that support sustainment include building, repairing, and maintaining roads, bridges, airfields, and other structures, facilities, and utilities infrastructure needed for ports of debarkation, main supply routes, and base camps. General engineering units also install, manage and maintain electric power systems, utilities, and waste management systems; plan, acquire, manage, and remediate real estate; and assess environmental impacts. Additional information on general engineering support is in ATP 3-34.40.

Want more than this Daily Dose of Doctrine? Take A Doctrine Deep Dive with a read of ADP 4-0 at: