Military Logistics Cargo Distribution
Management for the Next Conflict
Chris Ballard, Wyly Gilfoil, Kathy Lau, Jay Miseli,
Scott Ostrowski, Sebastien Prangere, Sug Je Sohn,
Heather Stevenson, Jaroslav Tyman
Role and Plan - Demand
• Demand Team assesses the scope of
this capability and the levels of
usefulness.
•
•
Step 1 – Read relevant articles and After-Action
Reviews detailing performance of logistics agencies
during Operation Iraqi Freedom for the 3rd Infantry
Division
Step 2 – Conduct online survey to determine actual
demand from units executing logistics and scope of
this capability
Current State - Demand
• Relevant Articles:
•Army Logistics: Our Reality, Our Future
•Logistics White Paper
•Moving Those Beans and Bullets
•Sustainment of the Army Depends on Continuing Logistics
Transformation
•DLA: Logistics Backbone of Iraqi Freedom
•Delivering Logistics Readiness to the Warfighter
• After-Action Reviews Utilized:
• 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized)
• HHC, Task Force 2-69 Armor
• C/1-3 ADA
• HHC/1-24 Infantry
• Survey
• 12 responses, varying experiences, rank and organizations
• Coverage from Iraq, Kosovo, Germany, and numerous training
events
• Execution experience from platoon level through Corps (multiDivision) logistics
Results (AARs and Articles)
• Macro-level Issues and Recommendations
1. Connect Logisticians at all levels
- e.g. logistics internet at every echelon
- Correlates with demand survey result one
2. Modernize Distribution
- use automated inventory and shipment tracking to deliver what
is needed to “who needs it” and to provide feedback on availability
- optimization capability is not necessary if the real-time information
sharing capability and asset visibility of requirement 1 exists
Results (Survey)
• Want 2 Key Capabilities:
1. Information flow with feedback mechanism
- prefer existing technology (ie FBCB2)
- want requirements sent higher with digital record
and projected fill time (or availability) feedback
along with % of requirement to be delivered
- must interface with all level of logistics support
2. Inventory/Shipment Resource
- i.e. UPS Package Tracking
- must be linked to logistics network
- tells the system what is where and tracks the progress
of the resource towards the unit needing it
Desired Process - Demand
Information Network
Process Repeats Until
Resource Is Delivered
Automated Inventory and
Shipment Tracking
(Interfaces w/ Network)
Next Higher
Logistics
Node
Resource
Required
No
Yes
Resource
Resource
Available?
Resource
Delivered
X
No
No
Yes
Brigade
Logistics
Node
Resource
Not
Available!
Resource
Required
Resource
X
Battalion
Logistics
Node
Resource
Available?
No
Status Info
Request
Resource
Delivered
Resource
Required
Resource
Not
Available!
Resupply
Resource Expended
Resource
Expended
Company
Command Post
And
Logistics Node
Role and Plan - Feasibility
• Feasibility-Determine the platform, echelon,
and technical aspects of the system
– Capabilities Analysis
– Cost-Benefit Analysis
Current State - Feasibility
• Two Options
– Entirely new system
• PDA to laptop to desktop
– Alteration/ Upgrade of current systems
• FBCB2 to CSSCS
Applicability – Part 1
Identification of the technological characteristics
- Analyze the feasible technologies in managerial perspectives such as:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Competitive Priorities
Sources of Innovation
Measures of Performance
Technology Transfer and Diffusion
Technology Strategy
Core Capabilities
Value Chain Model
Applicability - Part 2
Operations strategy for military logistics
management
-
Answer the following key questions,
1.
How can we satisfy the identified demands?
2.
What are the barriers in implementing the technologies in current
setting of business (military)? How can we resolve the difficulties?
3.
What does the value chain model of military supply system look
like? What is the weakest link, if exists, and how can we
strengthen the value on it?
Value Chain Model
Optimized
Supply
Instructions
Resource
Supply System
Logistics
Planning
System
Supply
Commands and
Master Plans
Military Logistics
Communication System
Information Symmetry
Physical
Resource
Allocation
Field Troops
• Fundamental Enablers
• Uniqueness/Sustainability
• Value Chain Transformation
Operations
Planning
System
Inventory
Status Report
and Supply
Request
Logistics
Nodes
(Brigade/
Battallion/
Company)
Questions?