Logistics: A Principle of War.

Abstract : Logistics has played a crucial role throughout the course of military history. In the conduct of warfare, the military professional and strategist have compiled and developed a list of principles which are used to conduct warfare. The accepted principles have varied in number over the years from two to the nine we currently regard as the main principals of war. However, the list is incomplete, in that it does not include the concept of logistics. Logistics is critical to every level of warfare: tactical, operational and strategic. However, it is at the operational level of war that logistics is the most important. Logistics has improved greatly over the years. As we developed new principles of war for such emerging missions including operations other than war(OOTW), we have neglected to include logistics as one of them. This is the case, despite the fact that the majority of operational art endeavors are primarily logistics driven. (AN)