A Logistics Officer is a member of an armed force responsible for overseeing the support of an army, air force, or navy both at home and abroad. Logistics Officers can be stationary on military bases or deployed as an active part of a field army, air wing, or naval force. The responsibilities of Logistics Officers vary, depending on where they are deployed and what tasks they are assigned. In addition, different countries, have different roles for Logistics Officers. The main role of these officers remains the same regardless of where they are stationed; to ensure that the fighting force is supplied with enough food, water, fuel and ammunition to complete the task at hand.
Contents |
In Canada, Logistics officers work in five main disciplines: Management, Finance and Economics, Physical Security, Human Resource Management, and Supplementary Services. Their main objective is to ensure that all Canadian military operations and training exercises are properly organized and executed.[1]
In the United States, the work of the logistics officer includes providing Strategic, Operational, or Tactical level logistical support and managing the overall logistic processes in support of mission objectives; leveraging existing networks and expanding others; anticipating mission requirements and operational requirements and offering alternatives and advice; and evaluating, redesigning and implementing logistics processes for mission support.
The National Logistics Officer Association, while founded by United States Air Force maintenance officers, now serves as the primary professional organization dedicated to the professional development of logistics officers from all United States armed forces.
In the United Kingdom, a Logistics Officer in the Royal Air Force is colloquially known as a 'Stacker' (which is an abbreviation of either 'Blanket Stacker' or 'Duvet Stacker'). This is a reference to the traditionally-held perception of the role of the Logistics Officer from the point of view of an Engineering Officer.
In Australia each of the three independent Services of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) have different definitions for a 'Logistics Officer'. Logistics Officers lead and coordinate planning and execution of the operations support components of the military effects which include the administrative (1) and logistics (4) functions, as well as major enabling support in the capability support dimension of force generation.
Royal Australian Navy (RAN) logisticians are called a Supply Officer, the commissioned element of the Supply Branch. RAN "Loggies" conduct the non-technical component of 1/4 support effects.
Australian Army logisticians are commissioned officers in the Australian Regular Army (ARA) or Army Reserve (ARES) normally drawn from the Ordnance (RAAOC), Transport (RACT), Catering (RAACC), Engineer (RAE), Electrical and Mechanical Engineer (RAEME), or Medical (RAAMC) corps. Army defines engineering as a subset of logistics.
Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) logisticians are called Logistics Officers (LOG), the commissioned element of the Logistics Employment Group (LEG). As in the RAF they are generally focused on the maintenance of the supply chain (in both Joint and Air environments), equipment governance, catering, movements and transport, the non-technical logistics disciplines. Unlike the Army RAAF "Loggies" work in parallel to RAAF engineers (Aeronautical [AERO], both Ground and Air Electrical [ELECTR], Armament [ARM] and Airfield [AFENG]) who comrise the specialist technical engineering and maintenance components of the RAAF integrated logistics workforce. LOG and ENG personnel (except AFENG) are managed by Logistics Branch - Air Force within Air Force Headquarters (AFHQ). AFENG are managed by the RAAF's Headquarters Combat Support Group. Additionally unlike their Navy and Army counterparts RAAF "Loggies" don't manage administrative, personnel or finance functions which are provided by Administrative Officers (ADMIN) who perform the 1 shop functions of the 1/4 support environment leaving "Loggies" to perform the 4 shop function.
In Belgium, the army has its own logistics branch. This branch is responsible for supporting the army in the wide logistics spectrum: supply, maintenance and contracting.