Rapid change in the world political environment since the end of the Cold War has resulted in significant reduction in military spending and a fundamental shift in the United States Military Strategy for the 21st Century. With the change of military strategy, Army doctrine has changed from one based on forward presence to a doctrine of force projection. As the army reorganizes in preparation for the challenges associated with force projection operations, logisticians seek the capabilities to sustain current and future logistical requirements. Meeting the logistical demands associated with force projection operations requires a significant revision of current logistical concepts and systems. One of the many concepts currently being integrated into the Army logistical structure is modularity. This monograph examines the question of whether modular logistical concepts can adequately support future force projection operations. The monograph identifies the tenets of modularity and defines the critical resources required to make modular logistical systems capable of supporting future force projection operations. To assess the ability of modular systems to meet the sustainment demands associated with force projection operations, the capabilities and limitations of current and proposed modular organizations are analyzed and compared to determine the feasibility of modularity as a logistical force design methodology. Finally, The monograph shows that while modular logistical structures and systems have tremendous capability to support future battlefield sustainment operations, weaknesses in automation, training, and the current structure of the system do exist and could impact on the flexibility and responsiveness required to support future force projection operations. The conclusions suggest that if modular logistical systems are to become a primary means of supporting future operations, they must continue to evolve, change, and adapt to the operational environments the Army will face in the 21st century.

ADA 370223 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.)