This monograph examines the impacts that shortcomings in the capacity of the United States industrial base, to provide surge production of essential equipment, will have on operational commanders. The increasing size, complexity and technological sophistication of armies and their weapon systems has increased the importance of the sustaining base. Although the industrial capacity and natural resources of the United States were significant to the success of the Allies in past conflicts, the complexity of today's weapons and weaknesses in American business make support for the next conflict a matter of concern. The importance of the industrial base and its relevance to the operational commander was illustrated in the American Civil War, World War I, and World War II. The historical examples establish the premise that the nation which is better prepared to support its forces will be successful in war. Each example demonstrates a slow start of a strong industry to support the armed forces, sharing the industrial burden with allied nations, and operational commanders implementing innovative solutions to materiel shortages, or delaying operations when necessary. The strength of the industrial base has been affected by weaknesses in the economy and by bureaucratic complexities in the system to supply Government materiel. Specific deficiencies include lack of modernized equipment, departure from the industry of many smaller secondary item producers, and decreasing productivity. Also affecting industrial support is the complexity of current equipment, which is difficult to produce, and competition from foreign competitors, which weakens domestic suppliers. These weaknesses are cause for concern in a protracted, global war; however, regional conflict, which the armed forces are capable of executing with equipment on hand, is more likely. The analysis shows that operational commanders can expect to start with a full complement of equipment, including war reserves, but planning cannot include a resupply of major items. Thus, in preparing for conflict, they should seek to prestock equipment, take precautions to preserve their fighting power, and quickly apply overwhelming strength in order to take advantage of the synergistic effect of available weapons and avoid incremental employment. When the operational commander is faced with shortages of equipment, he must be innovative. He must find alternate means to accomplish desired ends, resequence operations or delay until means are available. At the strategic level, while the U.S. must give attention to the needs of the industrial base, it would not be wise to pour national assets into building a sustaining base that can stand alone in support of all contingencies. To expend a large portion of the gross national product on the maintenance of a robust industrial base detracts from other sectors of the economy. Secondly, the United States must continue to develop relations with aligned nations in order to supplement our industrial capability. Finally, national leaders must support operational commanders who must rapidly apply overwhelming force to any conflict in which the country is involved.

ADA 243338 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.)