Future of Marine Corps Logistics and the Integrated Logistics Concept: The Practical Implications for the Marine Ground Combat Element

摘要

The concept of Marine Corps Integrated Logistic Capability (ILC) Logistic Modernization (LM) as currently planned needs to consider the practical of the Ground Combat Element (CGE) in order to become a fully mature concept. The three principle ILC and LM initiatives concerning the GCE are the Information Technology (IT) Operational Architecture (OA), Realignment Of Supply (ROS) with supply consolidation at the intermediate Combat Service Support Element (CSSE) and the Realignment Of Maintenance (ROM) with collapsing the Echelons Of Maintenance (EOM) from five Echelons to three. The three initiatives have a history of development since the ILC initiative was first presented in FY 1998/1999. All three ILC initiatives have created various reactions within the GCE, mostly negative up to this point. However, now the logistics community is moving past ILC and is evolving toward a mature logistics concept for the future with Logistics Modernization which still encompasses all three initiatives. The three initiatives each have areas of concern for the GCE. The principle concern for the OA initiative is the lack of communications infrastructure that will support the key stone of the new logistics system, the Global Combat Service Support-Marine Corps (GCSS-MC) system. The lack of adequate communications systems at the battalion level and below will create serious problems for a system that requires connectivity at all levels to work well. The principle concern for the ROS is the consolidation of the supply functions at the CSSE level with potentially inadequate distribution assets to support units across the future battle space. The principle concern for the ROM is the potential loss of personnel from the GCE and migrated to the CSSE. In addition, the question of which commander, GCE or CSSE, will determine logistics priorities for the GCE is also an area of concern.