From its inception, the military has played a significant role in the development of the United States. As the Nation approaches its 250th anniversary, a consistent theme for our military emerges: the enduring imperative to defend, deter, and prevail in conflict. History has demonstrated that the lynchpin of success in conflict always relies on logistics.
Since 1961, the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) has provided indispensable support to the Warfighter. Despite its critical work, DLA is relatively unknown to the average American. For decades, logistics was an unsung hero in military conflicts, ensuring that forces were equipped and determining the pace, direction, and successes of war. U.S. military leaders recognized the need for a more formal and cohesive approach to logistics in joint operations, and so in 2010, the Joint Concept for Logistics introduced the Joint Logistics Enterprise (JLEnt). This collaboration, which includes the key global logistics providers within the Military Services, Combatant Commands, Defense Agencies, Interagency Partners, and Industry, offers a globally integrated logistics network with the goal of achieving mission success.
Over time, the efforts and nature of military logistics have been dissected, discussed, and debated, further pushing the science of military logistics to the forefront of warfare. In 2015, Lt Gen John B. Cooper (Ret.), USAF codified six enduring Logistics Truths, or “LOGTRUTHS”1 as he called them, for the Air Force:
- Rear operations must be connected and respond to forward operations
- You don’t have to own it to use it
- A better trained Airman is a more capable Airman
- Accurate requirements = effective logistics
- USAF logistics cannot succeed without Joint logistics
- All good logistics work is done in process
While these truths remain relevant today, we have the responsibility to fully address the complexities of modern logistics in Contested Logistics environments. The current landscape is distinctly more complex, characterized by a diminishing and fragile Defense Industrial Base and adversaries who intend to delay, disrupt, degrade, and eliminate our logistical capabilities. Furthermore, in the mere decade since Lt Gen Cooper’s LOGTRUTHS were conceived, rapid technological advancements, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, digital twins, and other innovations, have significantly reshaped the strategic and operational environments.2
To remain at the forefront of this evolving landscape, the JLEnt, with DLA serving as a principal partner, must reassess and redefine logistics truths to align with the demands of Contested Logistics environments. These "Contested Logistics Truths" account for the challenges of modern warfare, incorporate emerging technologies, and address the persistent threats and challenges in the current landscape. By embracing these truths, DLA and our JLEnt partners will strengthen supply chain operations to be smarter, faster, better connected, and better protected, further empowering Warfighters and ensuring operational readiness and lethality in future conflicts.
- Logistics wins wars when data leads the fight: Logistics is not a back-office function, it’s a battlefield imperative. Strategic plans must translate into tactical impact, which requires resilient, adaptive execution driven by real-time data. Theoretical models and static plans collapse under pressure if Warfighters are lacking resources. Effective logistics bridge the gap between operational plans and tactical combat by anticipating disruption, and being agile, adaptive, and resilient by using precise data to prioritize and sustain the fight.
- “Just-in-Time” is not on time: Historically, Just-in-Time logistics emphasized cost efficiency and waste reduction but often lacked resiliency and responsiveness. Today, logistics must be prioritized in a tiered process and leverage modern technologies to ensure Warfighters have the right materiel, at the right time, and at the right place – ensuring Warfighters have ‘just enough’. Just Enough logistics enhances our precision, agility, and adaptability, strengthening our ability to support Warfighters and bolster overall resiliency.
- Logistics networks must be better connected and protected: Centralized logistics systems are vulnerable to disruption in Contested Logistics environments. Decentralized networks with strong cybersecurity measures enhance resilience, mitigating the impact of attacks. Digital interoperability across Services and Combatant Commands is crucial for information sharing and coordinated logistics efforts, enabling a unified Joint Force.
- Precise requirements drive readiness: The ability to accurately forecast Warfighter needs is a key to success in contested environments. Reliable forecasts begin with clear visibility into supply chains, consumption rates, and battlefield conditions. Leveraging real-time data and predictive analytics allows for more precise requirements estimates and reduces the risk of shortages or surpluses. With more precise requirements and dynamic, accurate forecasting, we can better anticipate and adapt to rapidly evolving operational requirements.
- Resilient distribution networks power operational dominance: In Contested Logistics environments, static and overly centralized distribution models are vulnerable. Distribution networks must be dynamic, multi-nodal, and capable of reconfiguration to maintain the continuous flow of materiel at the point of need. Leveraging autonomous platforms, pre-positioned stocks, and resilient infrastructure ensures redundancy and responsiveness across all domains.
- We can’t be lethal without Logistics: Behind every uniform, meal, fuel tank, missile, and weapon system there is a logistics plan to get that materiel to the right place and at the right time. The very tools for survival and success are nothing if there’s not a plan for procuring, storing, and delivering these tools to the Warfighters. Protecting, prioritizing, and innovating logistics is a matter of increasing readiness and lethality for the Warfighters and Combatant Commands.
Applying these logistics truths may not necessarily ensure success in the next conflict. In every scenario, there are a multitude of factors that will determine the outcome. However, they serve as a common framework that, if applied in wargames, exercises, and operations, will greatly improve the probability of Warfighter freedom of movement in an increasingly complex global environment. The time to operationalize these truths and transform is now.
To accelerate progress and meet evolving demands, DLA identified three mission-critical priorities for fiscal year 2026. These priorities, focused on enhancing our efforts and driving mission impact, are: Set the Globe by strategically positioning DLA to deliver sustained readiness in the homeland and INDO-PACIFIC; Set the Agency by accelerating internal transformation and building resilient capabilities; and Set Supply Chains by modernizing operations to move faster, think smarter, and respond stronger. Through these priorities, DLA will empower strategic logistics, strengthen partnerships, and foster a forward-leaning mindset. These modern Contested Logistics Truths describe our shift toward a more adaptive, data-driven, and resilient logistics capability – one where survival, not just efficiency, defines success.
Editor’s note: This article was prepared by Leighann Martin under Contract No. SP4704-25-F-0056 for the Defense Logistics Agency, October 2025.
1 Cooper, J. B. (2016). Some logistics truths. Logistics Officer Association - The Exceptional Release, (Spring 2016), 4–8.
2 Martin, L. (2025, April). Modernizing defense logistics: converging kill chains and supply chains. Loglines Magazine, 2025(1), 19–20..