Four Army sustainment principles applied to modern conflict scenarios

F200: A Discussion of the Four Focused Areas Define and Apply Four Principles of Sustainment to a Real-World Scenario All sustainment operations, as the Department of the Army (2019) points out, are steered by several key principles whose application could be in diverse combat operations in various conflict scenarios. The said principles are listed as integration, anticipation, responsiveness, simplicity, economy, survivability, continuity, and improvisation (Department of the Army, 2019, p. 1-2). For this discussion, I will take into consideration the following four principles: simplicity, survivability, responsiveness, and economy. When it comes to simplicity, it is important to note that this is essentially representative of minimal complexity from an operational perspective. In the words of Solseth and Coryell (2018) “the processes and procedures that minimize the complexity of sustainment provide simplicity” (68). In the real-world scenario, it should be noted that in the absence of simplicity, an environment that is already chaotic could be even more complex or confusing. In a country like Afghanistan, for example, the nature of the terrain and the climate of the country would necessitate the utilization of air assets in an attempt to minimize complexity in logistic operations.
On the other hand, when it comes to survivability, Solseth and Coryell (2018) are of the opinion that this “includes all aspects of protecting personnel, weapons, and supplies while simultaneously deceiving the enemy” (68). Thus, this has got to do with the ability to outlive potential threats. With reference to the conflict in volatile regions such as Syria, vulnerability to enemy attack at every turn makes it difficult to protect assets and personnel from both degradation and destruction. In such a case, air resupply could be of great relevance. With this, the relevance of protecting key logistics infrastructure cannot be overstated.
Third, we have responsiveness. Solseth and Coryell (2018) define responsiveness as “the ability to react to changing requirements in order to maintain support” (67). Thus, this has got to do with ensuring that support of the right kind is availed when and where it is required. Some of the most important characteristics of this particular principle of sustainment are response speed and support reliability. In real-world scenarios, responsiveness could be limited by the absence of decision support tools that are well-developed, as well as poor understanding of processes.
Lastly, we have the economy. This is defined by Solseth and Coryell (2018) as “providing sustainment resources in an efficient manner to enable a commander to employ all assets to achieve the greatest effect possible” (68). It, therefore, follows that this particular principle of sustainment could be achieved when within levels of risk that are acceptable, fewest resources are used to provide support (Kress, 2012). As has been emphasized in the Field manual 4-0, economic achievement could be achieved by staff via “contracting for support or using HN [host nation] resources that reduce or eliminate the use of limited military resources” (Department of the Army, 2012). It, therefore, follows that in real-world scenarios, contractors from the host nation could be hired to perform auxiliary or supportive functions. Discuss the functions of the Brigade Support Battalion (BSB). Why is it important for an SGM/CSM to understand sustainment at the tactical level? As the Department of the Army (2016) points out, the brigade support battalion (BSB) comes in handy in the provision of scalable and mission-tailored warfighting capabilities (that also happen to be relevant and ready) to commanders. As the Department of the Army (2016) further points out, BSBs are also of great relevance in the provision of task-organized capabilities to see through action tasks that are decisive. It is also through the provision of logistic support that BSB aids operations execution by the supported brigade. Towards this end, the Department of the Army (2016) observes that the BSB commander ought to be familiar with the plan of the supported commander. With this understanding, the BSB commander can execute support in a format that ensures that the supported brigade does not in any way lose its maneuver and action freedom. Further, as the Department of the Army (2016) asserts, “the BSB supports offensive, defensive, stability and Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) tasks” (1-1). It is important to note that as it has further been pointed out in this particular case, it is via the application of the sustainment principles (which have been highlighted elsewhere in this text) in the course of the execution of the support of decisive action tasks that BSB operations are fulfilled or achieved. Also, it is through the execution of missions within the sustainment warfighting function context that BSB operations are fulfilled or achieved (Department of the Army, 2016). In the context of supporting brigade operations, the BSB is also instrumental in the planning, coordination, synchronization, as well as execution of replenishment operations (Department of the Army, 2016).
In essence, an SGM/CSM ought to comprehend sustainment at the tactical level. This is more so the case given that as the Department of the Army (2016) observes, it is unit as well as staff actions at both the tactical and operational levels that serve as the basis for the sustainment warfighting function’s effectiveness. Towards this end, the relevance of being conversant with the functions as well as the roles of staff and the unit is key in as far as undertaking sustainment operations is concerned. Additionally, it should be noted that in overseeing not only the deployment of forces, but also the sustainment and redeployment of the same, there are various conditions that ought to be present. To be able to direct undertakings in this realm, an SGM/CSM ought to be well familiar with tactical, operational, as well as strategic shaping activities. For instance, the joint operating area opening condition ought to be fashioned in such a way that it is compatible with both the capability and size of the forces deploying. Next, an SGM/CSM should comprehend sustainment at the tactical level so as to be able to ensure that tasks that are tactically enabling are directed in a format that promotes the execution of stability, defensive, as well as all-offensive tasks. Describe three types of command posts along with the capabilities and limitations of each. Discuss the SGM’s role in establishing a Command Post (CP).
According to the Department of the Army (2017), “depending on the echelon, type of unit, and situation, commanders echelon their headquarters into multiple CPs for the conduct of operations” (1-4). There are several kinds of command posts. These are inclusive of the main command post, contingency command post, operational command post, tactical command post, etc. The first three command posts highlighted with be described. When it comes to the main command post, the Department of the Army (2017), points out that this happens to be the primary CP of the unit. Here, it functions as the principal center for analysis, coordination of sustainment, and plans. It is further observed that this is essentially a facility that contains most of the staff configured to not only direct operations at present, but also partake in detailed assessment, and schedule or plot operations to take place in the future (Department of the Army, 2017). Some of the capabilities of the main command post include, but are not limited to, targeting process and sustaining operations synchronization, operation planning, and control, as well as operation progress assessment (Department of the Army, 2017).
Next, we have the contingency command post. The Department of the Army (2017) describes this as “a facility tailored from the theater army headquarters that enables the commander to conduct small-scale operations within the assigned area of operations” (1-6). When it comes to special support of staff on the functional front and long-term planning, the contingency command post largely relies on the main command post. Some of the limitations of the contingency command post, as the Department of the Army (2017) further observes, are inclusive of the duration, intensity, complexity, as well as scale and scope of undertakings that the contingency command post could command in an effective format with no need for major support (Department of the Army, 2017).
Lastly, we have an operational command post. This could, in basic terms, be described as a provision or base that has in place a dedicated army headquarters portion to direct the operational aspect for either a contingency that is not sizeable or a period that is essentially limited (Department of the Army, 2017). In a far as its capabilities are concerned, it is important to note that the operational command post avails or presents to the field commander (or any other person with the relevant designation) with the potentiality or capacity to constitute (within an area of joint operation) a joint taskforce, joint force land component, or army component (Department of the Army, 2017). One limitation, in this case, is given that the design of the operational command post avails essential capabilities that are largely minimal, its staff could be in need of additional augmentation (Department of the Army, 2017).
In as far as the role of the SGM in establishing a command post is concerned, it should be noted that the relevance of ensuring that the command post developed addresses a few critical components cannot be overstated. The said components include, but they are not limited to: battle drills, management of knowledge, command post layout, and staff organization.
The Military Sealift Command (MSC), Air Mobility Command (AMC) and the Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC) are component commands of the U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM). Explain the role of any two of the three transportation component commands in their support of the combatant commander (CCDR). Provide examples of the two selected component commands along with the advantages and disadvantages of the examples provided.
The transportation component commands selected on this front are the Air Mobility Command (AMC) and the Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC). To begin with, the Air Mobility Command (AMC) seeks to provide U.S. armed forces with what the United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) (2019) refers to as “rapid, global mobility and sustainment.” On the other hand, as USTRANSCOM (2019) further points out, the Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC) concerns itself with the delivery of “world-class, origin-to-destination distribution solutions.” It, therefore, follows that regardless of the location of coastguardsmen, marines, airmen, soldiers, etc., the Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC) concerns itself with not only the planning, but also the execution of supplies and equipment surface delivery (USTRANSCOM, 2019). In as far as Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC) is concerned, we have components such as 596th Transportation Brigade and the Transportation Engineering Agency. On the other hand, when it comes to the Air Mobility Command (AMC), the major components could be inclusive of the Eighteenth Air Force and the 15th Expeditionary Mobility Task Force.

References Department of the Army (2019). Sustainment Operations. Retrieved from https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/pdf/web/ARN18450_ADP%204-0%20FINAL%20WEB.pdf Department of the Army (2017). Command Post Organization and Operations. Retrieved from https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/pdf/web/ATP%206-0_5%20(final).pdf Department of the Army (2016). Brigade Support Battalion. Retrieved from https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/pdf/web/atp4_90.pdf Department of the Army (2012). Field Manual Fm 4-0 Sustainment April 2009. New York, NY: Createspace Independent Pub. Kress, M. (2012). Operational Logistics: The Art and Science of Sustaining Military Operations. Belmont, CA: Springer Science & Business Media. Solseth, M. & Coryell, B. (2018). A Crisis Exists: An Easy Mnemonic to Remember the Sustainment Principles. Retrieved from https://alu.army.mil/alog/2018/MAYJUN18/PDF/200199.pdf United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) (2019). Component & Subordinate Commands. Retrieved from https://www.ustranscom.mil/cmd/component.cfm