A revolution in military affairs is occurring. This revolution involves the transformation of defense logistics from a system rooted in the Industrial Age with its mass armies and "Iron Mountains" of supplies to one that reflects the ways in which warfare is changing, as well as the impact of information technology on organizations and processes. This transformation is absolutely vital if the U.S. military is to achieve its goals of being able to rapidly and decisively project power at great distances against all manner of adversary anywhere in the world. The Army has begun a comprehensive transformation of its logistics system involving changes in technologies, organization, doctrine and even culture. There are four key focus areas in the current plan to transform the Army's logistics. The first is to connect the logisticians as part of the joint battlefield C4 network allowing them to see the battlefield and make more informed decisions. The second focus area is to modernize the distribution system in order to ensure rapid and responsive delivery of the required support at the right place and time. Third is to improve force reception by enhancing the ability for strategic movement of supplies, logistics command and control with reach-back capabilities and the creation of theater sustainment bases. Finally, the entire supply chain must be integrated as a two-way transparent process - from foxhole to factory and from factory to foxhole - so as to efficiently manage the flow of supplies. The Army's logistics transformation plan is taking place amidst other dramatic changes that will impact the logistics system. Among these are the move towards modular formations, the deployment of the Stryker medium-weight brigades, the development of the Future Combat System (FCS), the creation of fully joint forces and a joint logistics system and the globalization of the defense industrial base. Each of these can contribute to logistics transformation but will also pose additional challenges. Ultimately, the this "factory to foxhole" must create a seamless system. Beyond that, the system needs to extend to the cockpit, the bridge and all other elements of the joint and combined force. Logistics cannot be treated as an afterthought, but must be considered an integral part of combat operations. Properly organized, managed and supported, a modern logistics system of the kind the U.S. Army is striving to create is a potent force multiplier. - Exec. summary.

"The initial draft of this report was written by Dr. Daniel Goure? and Kenneth A. Steadman."