In order for the military to operate successfully, the proper materials, equipment, and people need to be in the right place at the right time. Logisticians develop, review, and implement plans for coordinating many different variables such as, requirements for and availability of supplies, equipment, personnel, and transportation. In developing their plans, they also take into account maintenance and scheduling considerations, and cost factors. Some logisticians specialize in an area such as, aviation logistics.
What They Do
Logisticians in the military perform some or all of the following duties:
- Negotiate and buy goods and services
- Track inventory levels, process orders, and help determine when to make purchases
- Distribute and dispose of resources
- Coordinate with other groups to ensure the continued flow of materials and personnel
- Coordinate transportation and maintenance schedules for the safe deployment of personnel and materials
- Use computers and mathematical models to predict and solve logistical problems
Helpful Attributes
Helpful fields of study include management, operations research, resource allocation, statistics, and business or public administration. Helpful attributes include:
- Ability to coordinate the efforts of multiple individuals or groups
- Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely
- Interest in solving problems
Training Provided
Training consists of classroom exercises and practical exercises. Course content typically includes:
- Purchasing and contracting
- Resource allocation
- Transportation and personnel coordination
Work Environment
Logisticians normally work in offices, although they may also work in a variety of other locations depending on their assignment.
Civilian Counterparts
Civilian logisticians work in all types of public and private organizations from hospitals to large manufacturing companies. They perform duties similar to those of military logisticians. Civilian logisticians may also be called logistics engineers, logistics analysts, and logistics planners.
