Is It Time for a Joint Forces Logistics Component Commander

Abstract : The Department of Defense is moving away from a logistics system that relies on moving large quantities of equipment and supplies to the theater just in case it is needed to reduce risk to a much leaner system that will move equipment as needed on a time definite basis. The Joint Staff Director of Logistics Focused Logistics Campaign Plan for a joint deployment and rapid distribution system is to provide the combatant commander with ." . .a system to optimize rapid projection delivery and handoff of joint forces and sustainment worldwide." The Air Force specifically is reducing its deployment footprint by reducing spares and relying on reach back to the CONUS. The Logistics Campaign Plan and Joint Doctrine list five options for management of Joint Theater Logistics. Current doctrine relies on expanding the capabilities of the J-4 or delegating responsibility to a JTF commander. However with the change in focus to rapid moving equipment as needed and with the increased risk inherent in this type of system it may be time to establish a Joint Forces Logistics Component Commander (JFLogCC) in doctrine to manage the new logistics systems envisioned in the Focused Logistics Campaign Plan. I will argue that it is time and that the JFLogCC should be similar to the JFACC. The JFLogCC should come from the Service with the preponderance of logistics requirements and the ability to control logistics.