Logistical Support in the U.S. Army

Paper Summary:

The paper provides an overview of the logistical support present during Operation Iraqi Freedom to determine what obstacles and constraints were encountered by U.S. military forces and what lessons have been learned since. The paper then outlines recent doctrinal shifts that have resulted in programs intended to make the military forces a more streamlined and efficient fighting force that will require less logistical support. The paper concludes that efforts to change the U.S. military are going to require some thoughtful approaches concerning how to deploy and resupply fast-moving strategic forces in tactically meaningful ways.

Outline:
Review and Discussion
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Based on the hard lessons learned by both civilian and military leaders in the United States in Vietnam, other analysts suggest that subsequent military operations from Panama to the First Persian Gulf War indicate that military leaders have sought to apply massive force in order to ensure a quick victory (Rosseau). There were some profound constraints to the application of massive force during Operation Iraqi Freedom, though, that adversely affected the logistical support provided. In fact, even though the objective of OIF was to overthrow a hostile regime through an invasion of its homeland, extensive restrictions were placed on ground force size and aerial targeting (Record)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Record, J. (2005). Why the strong lose. Parameters, 35(4), 16.
• Rousseau, D. L. (2005). Democracy and war: Institutions, norms, and the evolution of international conflict. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.
• Rumsfeld, D. H. (2005, April 27). Senate Appropriations Committee-Defense. U.S. Department of Defense Speeches, 37.
• Wilson, P. A., Gordon, J., & Johnson, D. E. (2003). An alternative future force: Building a better Army. Parameters, 33(4), 19-22.

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