The Future of Marine Corps Logistics

Summary

The script emphasizes the importance of logistics in modern warfare, highlighting the Marine Corps' unique role in supporting integrated deterrence through agile, distributed operations. It underscores the need for a modern logistics enterprise capable of sustaining forces in contested environments, with a focus on multi-capable distribution platforms, dispersed sustainment positioning, advanced bases ready for conflict, and an integrated command and control framework. The goal is to maintain a competitive advantage by adapting to new challenges and threats, ensuring the Marine Corps remains a leading force in the Indo-Pacific region.

Takeaways

• 🚢 Logistics is a crucial factor in military operations, affecting the speed and reach of forces on the battlefield.
• 🔒 Traditional logistics advantages, such as deploying from secure forward bases, are becoming less reliable due to the risk of precision attacks and disruptions.
• 💥 Modern adversaries can contest logistics and sustainment capabilities from the industrial base to the front line, targeting the main supply routes.
• 🛠️ The Marine Corps is undergoing modernization to adapt to the future operating environment, emphasizing small, lethal, low-signature, mobile, and agile forces.
• 🌐 An agile and integrated sustainment network is needed to provide commanders with multiple logistics options, enhancing resilience and deterrence.
• 🚀 Development of multi-capable distribution platforms, including autonomous systems and naval platforms, is essential for sustaining distributed naval forces.
• 📦 Diversifying and dispersing forward positioning of sustainment, along with modernizing the Global Positioning Network (GPN), is vital for supporting standing forces and crisis response.
• 🏠 Installations must be ready for a contested environment, transforming into advanced spaces that serve as vital nodes in the logistics network.
• 🤖 An integrated logistics command and control framework, incorporating artificial intelligence for faster decision-making, is necessary for coordinating distribution platforms and sustainment.
• 🔄 The Marine Corps is positioned to lead logistics modernization efforts, focusing on a strategy of diverse and dispersed operations for redundancy and resilience.
• 🔗 Connectivity and secure command and control are essential for the agility of forces, ensuring they can be resupplied securely and avoid becoming targets.

Q & A

What is the primary concern discussed in the script regarding logistics?

The primary concern is that logistics is a limiting and driving factor in military operations, and that traditional logistics and sustainment capabilities are being targeted and challenged by modern adversaries.

How have recent conflicts changed the perspective on deploying and sustaining forces?

Recent conflicts have shown that even numerically superior forces struggle to sustain themselves and protect supply routes against precision attacks and disruption from determined enemies, necessitating a reevaluation of traditional deployment strategies.

What is the significance of the Marine Corps' unique positioning in the context of this discussion?

The Marine Corps is uniquely positioned to provide the nation with options in support of integrated deterrence, being capable of transitioning rapidly from competition to crisis to conflict and back again.

What does the script suggest about the future of logistics and sustainment capabilities?

The script suggests that future logistics and sustainment capabilities must be agile, integrated, and capable of generating multiple logistics webs to provide options to commanders, create resiliency, contribute to deterrence, and overcome the lethality of the modern battlefield.

What are the four critical capabilities mentioned for generating logistics webs and sustaining warfighters?

The four critical capabilities are multi-capable distribution platforms, disperse and diversified forward positioning of sustainment, installations ready for the contested environment, and an integrated logistics command and control framework.

Why is the development of multi-capable distribution platforms important?

Multi-capable distribution platforms are important because they provide a mix of crude and autonomous capabilities designed to operate from and alongside naval platforms and bases, enhancing the ability to sustain distributed naval forces.

What is the role of the Global Positioning Network (GPN) in the new logistics strategy?

The GPN is a dynamic integrated afloat and assured network designed to support standing forces and global crisis response, modernizing pre-positioning and ensuring a more flexible and responsive logistics system.

Why is it necessary to make installations ready for the contested environment?

Installations must be ready for the contested environment to serve as vital nodes in the logistics network, enabling early phase operational maneuver and demonstrating commitment to allies and partners while being resilient to adversary attacks.

What is the significance of an integrated logistics command and control framework?

An integrated logistics command and control framework is crucial for bringing together distribution platforms, forward sustainment, and advanced bases, allowing for faster decision-making and efficient resource allocation in a contested environment.

How does the script relate to the strategy of diverse and disperse operations in the Indo-Pacific?

The script relates to the strategy by emphasizing the need for more distributed operations in various locations to provide redundancy, resilience, and the ability to move forces securely without becoming targets, which aligns with the concept of diverse and disperse operations.

What is the role of artificial intelligence in the new logistics command and control framework?

Artificial intelligence plays a role in enabling faster decision-making, allowing commanders to match resources to requirements in a manner that is threat-informed and efficient, enhancing the overall effectiveness of logistics operations.

Outlines

00:00

🚢 Modernizing Logistics for Future Warfare

The first paragraph emphasizes the critical role of logistics in modern military operations, particularly in the context of the Australia-U.S. partnership and regional operations. It discusses the challenges of sustaining superior forces against precision attacks and the need to move away from relying on secure forward bases. The Marine Corps is positioned to support integrated deterrence with its unique capabilities to transition between competition and conflict. The paragraph calls for a modernized logistics enterprise to create an agile, integrated sustainment network that can generate multiple logistics webs, enhancing resilience and deterrence against modern battlefield threats. Four key capabilities are identified as central to this effort: multi-capable distribution platforms, disperse and diversified forward positioning of sustainment, readiness of installations for contested environments, and an integrated logistics command and control framework.

05:01

🌐 Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience in Logistics

The second paragraph focuses on the need for resources to modernize logistics capabilities, which are essential for maintaining the current pace of modernization and adapting to new challenges and threats. The Marine Corps is prepared to lead this modernization, especially in the Indo-Pacific region, working alongside Admiral Aquilino. The strategy involves diversifying and dispersing operations to achieve redundancy and resilience. This includes more distributed operations across various locations and the use of mobile logistics that are harder to target. The paragraph highlights the importance of intra-theater disbursement to resupply forces securely while maintaining mobility to avoid becoming targets. Connectivity and network integration are also stressed as essential for command and control, ensuring forces are aware of logistics requirements and can respond effectively to the dynamic nature of future operations.

Keywords

💡Logistics

Logistics refers to the detailed organization and implementation of a complex operation or the supply chain management. In the context of the video, it is a critical factor that determines the operational reach and speed of military forces. The script emphasizes the need for an agile and integrated logistics network to overcome modern battlefield challenges, such as precision attacks and supply route disruptions.

💡Precision attacks

Precision attacks are military strikes that utilize highly accurate weaponry to target specific points with minimal collateral damage. The script mentions that even numerically superior forces can struggle against such attacks, which can disrupt supply routes and hinder force sustainment, highlighting the evolving nature of modern warfare.

💡Supply routes

Supply routes are the paths or channels used to transport essential goods and materials, particularly in military operations. The video script discusses the vulnerability of traditional supply routes to modern threats, necessitating a shift towards more flexible and secure logistics strategies.

💡Force design

Force design involves the strategic structuring and equipping of military forces to meet specific operational requirements. The script discusses the modernization of the Marine Corps to adapt to future challenges, emphasizing the importance of force design in maintaining a competitive advantage.

💡Integrated deterrence

Integrated deterrence is a military strategy that combines various elements of national power to dissuade adversaries from taking aggressive actions. The Marine Corps, as mentioned in the script, is positioned to support this strategy by providing options for national security across different operational environments.

💡Contested areas

Contested areas refer to regions where opposing forces are in conflict or where control is disputed. The script describes how adversaries may use these areas to apply coercive measures, underlining the need for military forces to be prepared to operate effectively in such environments.

💡Distributed operations

Distributed operations involve spreading military assets across various locations to increase resilience and reduce vulnerability to attacks. The video script suggests a strategy of diversifying and dispersing operations to enhance redundancy and agility in response to modern threats.

💡Multi-capable distribution platforms

Multi-capable distribution platforms are versatile systems designed to transport and distribute supplies and personnel in various operational settings. The script mentions the development of such platforms, including autonomous capabilities, to support distributed naval forces.

💡Global positioning network (GPN)

The Global Positioning Network (GPN) is a dynamic and integrated system for positioning military assets globally. The script discusses modernizing the GPN to support standing forces and global crisis response, emphasizing the importance of a flexible and responsive logistics infrastructure.

💡Advanced bases

Advanced bases are military installations positioned close to potential conflict zones to enable rapid response and operational maneuver. The video script calls for transforming these bases into advanced spaces that serve as vital nodes in the logistics network, capable of withstanding and recovering from adversary attacks.

💡Logistics command and control framework

A logistics command and control framework is a system that integrates the planning, direction, and control of logistics operations. The script highlights the need for an integrated framework that includes new organizations, improved command arrangements, and modern information technology to enhance decision-making and resource allocation in the face of modern threats.

Highlights

Logistics is identified as a critical limiting factor in military operations, affecting deployment speed and reach.

The partnership between Australia and the U.S. is highlighted as significant in the region's logistics strategy.

Recent conflicts show that even numerically superior forces struggle with supply sustainability against precision attacks.

The traditional model of securing forward bases over weeks or months is no longer viable due to modern threats.

Major supply routes from large bases are now liabilities, making them targets on the modern battlefield.

Adversaries are targeting logistics and sustainment capabilities from the industrial base to the front line.

The Marine Corps is undergoing modernization to meet future operational challenges and support integrated deterrence.

The Marine Corps' forces are positioned to transition rapidly between competition, crisis, and conflict.

There is a need for systemic change in the logistics enterprise to support modern warfare.

The future of logistics requires an agile, integrated sustainment network to provide multiple logistics options.

Multi-capable distribution platforms, including autonomous capabilities, are essential for future logistics.

The development of the medium landing ship and unmanned logistics systems is part of modernizing naval forces.

Dispersing and diversifying forward positioning of sustainment is necessary for resilience against enemy attacks.

The Global Positioning Network (GPN) aims to support standing forces and global crisis response with a dynamic network.

Installations must be ready for contested environments, transforming into advanced spaces that enable operational maneuver.

An integrated logistics command and control framework is required for effective distribution and sustainment.

Artificial intelligence will play a role in faster decision-making within the logistics command framework.

The strategy of diverse and disperse operations provides redundancy and resilience in logistics.

Intra-theater disbursement and keeping forces connected and networked are key to maintaining agility and avoiding becoming targets.

Transcripts

but there are some near-term things I

think we should

pay attention to Logistics clearly one

of them

relevant to this partnership between the

Australia and the U.S and operating in

this region Logistics Logistics

Logistics that is the limiting factor

that's the driving factor in how far and

how fast you can go Logistics the

ability to deploy arm Feed and Fuel our

forces globally has been a competitive

advantage that we have enjoyed for

decades

however recent conflicts illustrate that

even a numerically Superior force will

struggle to sustain itself and protect

supply routes against Precision attacks

and disruption from a determined enemy

we can no longer expect to close and

sustain forces from secure forward bases

built up over weeks or months from areas

of sanctuary as we did in Kuwait Iraq

and Afghanistan

a handful of major supply routes

emanating from large iron mountains at

Ford bases ports and airfields will be a

liability on the modern Battlefield

we must expect to be contested by Future

adversaries from our industrial base to

the front line our Logistics and

sustainment capabilities are already

being targeted

adversaries will employ systems and

tactics to hold a fleet and Joint Force

at arm's length allowing them to employ

a strategy that uses contested areas as

a shield behind which they can apply a

range of coercive measures against our

allies and partners

Force design accelerates the

modernization of the Marine Corps to

meet the challenges of the future

operating environment the Marine Corps

is uniquely positioned to provide the

nation options in support of integrated

deterrence

our standing forces are a Ford postured

steady-state forces operating in

contested areas capable of transitioning

rapidly from competition to crisis to

conflict and Back Again

these forces are small but lethal low

signature mobile and agile designed to

operate with allies and partners across

the competition Continuum and along the

Leading Edge of Maritime defense and

depth to sustain these forces we must

modernize our Logistics Enterprise

we require systemic change now

the future calls for an agile Integrated

sustainment Network

a network capable of generating multiple

Logistics webs that provide options to

commanders create resiliency contribute

to deterrence and overcome The

precision-driven lethality of the modern

Battlefield

tomorrow's Logistics Network must be

agile enough to overcome both kinetic

and non-kinetic attacks

building this network requires the

development and resourcing of several

critical capabilities four of which are

Central to our ability to generate

Logistics webs and sustain our

warfighters

first we need multi-capable distribution

platforms the Marine Corps will require

a mix of crude and autonomous

capabilities designed to operate from

and alongside Naval platforms and bases

much of this technology is in

development to include the medium

Landing ship which is smaller than our

recognizable ships but larger than our

current ship to shore connectors

however the unmanned Logistics system

air the ch-53k and our amphibious

Warfare ships are examples of

capabilities mature enough to sustain

distributed Naval forces today

second we need to increase disperse and

diversify the forward positioning of

sustainment in addition to working

closely with allies and partners to

expand access to Shared resources we

must modernize our pre-positioning the

global positioning network gpn will

consist of a dynamic integrated afloat

and assured Network to support the

standing force and Global crisis

response third we must make our

installations ready for the contested

environment every operation begins and

ends with our bases and stations

indo-pacific installations must

transform into advanced spaces that

serve as vital nodes in the network

enabling early phase operational

maneuver while demonstrating commitment

to our allies and partners these

critical Advanced spaces require

resourcing and modernization to generate

combat power provides the statement of

forces and to recover quickly from

adversary attacks across all domains

fourth an integrated Logistics command

and control framework is required to

bring together these distribution

platforms

Ford sustainment and advanced basis

this new C2 architecture consists of new

organizations improved command

arrangements and modernize information

technology

this includes artificial intelligence to

enable faster decision making allowing

commanders to match resources to

requirements in a manner that is

threatened formed among these four core

capabilities developing a logistics C2

framework will be the most challenging

to produce

we seek the resourcing to work with

industry and The Joint Force to deliver

what will serve as the most critical

capability for the pacing function

without these we will be hard-pressed to

continue the current pace of

modernization and meet the requirements

of the new operating environment

however to retain our competitive

Advantage we must modernize our

Logistics to meet new challenges and

threats

the Marine Corps stands ready to lead

the modernization in this area as we

work in the indo-pacific with Admiral

aquilino we are looking at a strategy of

diverse and disperse in other words we

are seeing that we're going to have more

distributed operations in more locations

which will provide us that redundancy

and resilience

and then diversity to have some some

capability to move with with respect to

ships on the water that are in motion

which are harder to Target than than a

large single location where we stack up

our Logistics so we are very much

looking at how we do intra-theater

disbursement at a time and place where

we'll be able to resupply the forces

securely but keep it moving so they

don't become Targets in the future that

gets back to the agility of the force

that we need and to do that our forces

need to be connected they need to be on

the network our ability to securely

command and control and understand where

the forces are where the logistics are

and where they need to go

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