AUSA’s Institute of Land Warfare (ILW) has recently released three new publications.
"Strategically Responsive Logistics: A Game-Changer" (Torchbearer Issue Paper, October 2015) discusses the Army’s latest system for improving logistics management and how it will enable the Total Army to meet the diverse security challenges of the 21st century with success.
In the unpredictable current operating environment, increasingly capable enemies employ conventional and hybrid strategies to threaten U.S. vital interests.
More and more, Army formations must have the capability to operate immediately, rapidly and accurately upon arrival into theater, something that cannot be done unless decisions are based on accurate and reliable logistics data.
To meet this need, the Army is revolutionizing its logistics system through integration of legacy property, supply and maintenance functions into a single system: Global Combat Support System–Army (GCSS-A).
At end-state, all warehouses, supply rooms, motor pools and property-book offices throughout the Total Army – active Army, Army National Guard and Army Reserve – will have the new system. GCSS-Army will enhance not only materiel readiness for the Army but also the readiness of the entire joint force.
"The U.S. Army in Europe: Strategic Landpower in Action" (Torchbearer Issue Paper, October 2015) discusses how unforeseen conditions have affected the stability and regional security in Europe and what the U.S. Army is doing in responding to the growing threats on the European continent.
Russia’s recent actions in Crimea and Ukraine have challenged the resolve of the European Union and NATO.
In addition, terrorist attacks in Europe together with significant increases in numbers of refugees from Africa and the Middle East have created extreme conditions of volatility and instability.
Moreover, traditional allies in Europe continue to face significant economic and demographic burdens that exert downward pressure on defense budgets.
Therefore, strengthening military capabilities and building security capacity necessary for regional stability require sustained and focused engagement. That is precisely what U.S. Army Europe (USAREUR) – as the Army service component command to U.S. European Command – is executing under the framework of its Strong Europe initiative. And in doing so, it is supporting both U.S. and allied interests on the European Continent.
The U.S. Army’s presence in Europe in more vital now than it has been since the fall of the Soviet Union.
"Rapid Equipping and the U.S. Army’s Quick-Reaction Capability" (Torchbearer Issue Paper, October 2015) discusses what the Army is doing to develop agile and innovative ways to quickly acquire the most advanced technology as a critical component of maintaining overmatch against potential and actual enemies.
Early experiences in Afghanistan and Iraq made it clear that quick-reaction capabilities were needed to complement the standard procurement system with faster and less expensive materiel solutions.
As a result, the Rapid Equipping Force (REF) was established to quickly procure and deliver nonstandard, situation-specific solutions that mitigate urgent capability shortfalls.
The REF maintains a critical communications loop with the requirements, product producer and end-user communities that helps develop the next iteration of off-the-shelf technologies.
These and other ILW publications are available online at http://www.ausa.org/ilw and can also be obtained by calling (800) 336-4570, ext. 4630, or by e-mailing ilwpublications@ausa.org.