Under public pressure to reduce defense spending and a Congressional demand for increased efficiency created by the collapse of the Soviet Union during the early 1990's, the Department of Defense has repeatedly been accused of maintaining unnecessary and expensive inventories of class IX repair parts and logistical infrastructure at the strategic and operational levels. This monograph examines the question: can consolidation of the services class IX repair parts management, supply and distribution systems at the strategic and operational levels under a single agency improve efficiency and effectiveness of the services class IX systems, while providing cost savings in personnel, systems and infrastructure? To accomplish this task, the monograph examines the DoDs and the Armed Services responsibilities for interservice class IX repair parts management, supply and distribution as defined in the Hoover Commission Study, the Defense Logistics Agency, the Combined Logistics Commanders Class IX Repair Parts Programs, DoD regulations and Title 10, United States Code. Then, the monograph explains the individual Armed Services class IX repair parts systems for management, supply and distribution at the strategic and operational levels. Next, the monograph compares and contrasts the similarities and differences between the service doctrinal goals and objectives for their class IX repair parts management, supply and distribution systems at the strategic and operational levels. To further evaluate the concept of consolidation, the monograph uses the Principles of Joint Logistics set forth in Joint Publication 4.0, Doctrine for Logistics Support of Joint Operations, to evaluate the impact of consolidating class IX repair parts management, supply and distribution systems at the strategic and operational levels under a single agency. Finally, the author recommends consolidation of the Armed Services class IX repair parts management, supply and distribution systems at the strategic and operational levels under a single agency, and provides suggestions for further research in this area.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)