Campaign of Learning

The Defense Logistics Agency created its Campaign of Learning to promote a shared understanding throughout the joint logistics enterprise of today’s rapidly changing and contested logistics environment and to capitalize on the strengths and capabilities of numerous organizations involved in logistics operations. The campaign includes white papers highlighting strategic issues, Warfighter Talks featuring presentations from defense leaders, and a curated reading list on topics like supply chain management, data analytics, risk management and more. These news briefs highlight previously published white papers and recent Warfighter Talks.

DLA Dialogues Podcast

From Factory to Foxhole w/Col. Matthew York, USAF
DLA Dialogues: From Factory to Foxhole is a podcast series that highlights topics to promote a shared understanding throughout the joint logistics enterprise in today's rapidly changing and contested logistics environment. In episode 8, Colonel Matt York, Executive Director of the Nuclear and Space Enterprise Support Office (NESO), explores DLA’s critical role in maintaining the complex structure of nuclear and space deterrence. For more information about the Defense Logistics Agency Campaign of Learning, www.dla.mil/Info/Campaign-of-Learning/
From Factory to Foxhole w/Jake Swantkowski
DLA Dialogues: From Factory to Foxhole is a podcast series that highlights topics to promote a shared understanding throughout the joint logistics enterprise in today's rapidly changing and contested logistics environment. In episode 7, Jake Swantkowski, Division Chief for the Whole of Government Support Division, dives into how DLA supports federal agencies outside the defense space and why those partnerships benefit the Warfighter. For more information about the Defense Logistics Agency Campaign of Learning, www.dla.mil/Info/Campaign-of-Learning/
From Factory to Foxhole w/Nancy Albertson & Don Helle
DLA Dialogues: From Factory to Foxhole is a podcast series that highlights topics to promote a shared understanding throughout the joint logistics enterprise in today's rapidly changing and contested logistics environment. In episode 6, Nancy Albertson, Physical Scientist in DLA Strategic Materials, and Don Helle, R&D Program Manager at DLA Disposition Services discuss critical and strategic materials, their role in national defense, and why protecting and securing these materials is an essential part of DLA's mission. For more information about the Defense Logistics Agency Campaign of Learning, www.dla.mil/Info/Campaign-of-Learning/
From Factory to Foxhole w/Joseph Brooks and Dr. Colin Williams
DLA Dialogues: From Factory to Foxhole is a podcast series that highlights topics to promote a shared understanding throughout the joint logistics enterprise in today's rapidly changing and contested logistics environment. In episode 5, Joseph Brooks, Executive Director for Regional Sustainment, OASW, and DLA Historian, Dr. Colin Williams explore the Regional Sustainment Framework, why our partnerships matter for resilient sustainment, and how Foreign Military Sales support coalition readiness.
Linus Baker: Protecting supply chains from cyber threats
In episode 4, Linus Baker, cybersecurity director for DLA Information Operations, explains how protecting supply chains from cyber threats keeps missions moving — especially in contested environments — and what DLA is doing to stop attacks before they happen.
Col Ryan LeBlanc: Wargaming to enhance strategic planning
In episode 3, Col Ryan LeBlanc, director of the Strategic Plans and Futures Branch for DLA Logistics Operations, discusses how DLA is using wargaming to enhance strategic planning and drive modernization in the face of contested logistics challenges.
Sharon Croll: Industrial Capability & Warstopper program
In episode 2 Sharon Croll, Program Manager, DLA Industrial Capability & Warstopper Program, provides insight into how the program started, the importance to DLA and military readiness, and how it fits into a contested logistics environment.
Peter Battaglia: Supply chain security and contested logistics
In episode 1 Peter Battaglia, DLA Deputy Director of Mission Assurance talks about a significant event, the September 2024 pager attacks in Lebanon and the major implications on supply chain security and contested logistics.

Decision Advantage: The Human AI Advantage

Sea of Data
Welcome to season 1 of Decision Advantage: The Human AI Advantage. In this series, we will explore how humans and AI work together to navigate complexity, accelerate insight, and create real-world operational advantage.

White Papers

DLA's white papers are published in the agency's flagship publication, Loglines, as well as other journals and publications that highlight logistics.

Loglines White Papers

March 19, 2026

Monster Transformation: Leadership reflections on culture, systems, execution 

Large organizations today are no longer debating whether transformation is necessary. The more difficult and more consequential question is whether transformation is achievable under real-world constraints. This challenge is especially familiar to
March 19, 2026

REFORPAC 2025 and the friction of distribution: Stress-testing agile combat employment logistics

The United States’ strategic engagement in the Indo-Pacific was forged in the crucible of the World War II. In that campaign, General Douglas MacArthur operationalized “island hopping”—the sequential seizure and development of forward operating bases
March 19, 2026

Beyond factory to foxhole: DLA transforms for a contested future

For decades, the U.S. military’s logistics system prioritized global efficiency, cost savings, and reliable throughput, fostering a culture of centralized stockpiling at large, fixed supply depots. As a result, this system is dangerously inadequate
March 19, 2026

Internet of behavior and digital dust: Implications for supply chain security and mission assurance

Moving can be a stressful event. Whether you have moved once or several times, it is an event that upends the lives of the entire family. SSG Alex Kallus, an Army logistics NCO, had just received orders to PCS (Permanent Change of Station) from Fort
March 19, 2026

Transforming defense logistics planning: Leveraging machine learning for enhanced warfighter read...

The recent war in Ukraine has underscored the importance of logistical planning. In a 2023 study, RAND noted that “Russia’s failures in the war with Ukraine were due to poor planning”. Seeing these missteps and recognizing the critical importance of
Nov. 1, 2025

Just Enough Logistics: Shifting the Logistics Paradigm

Today’s battlespace is more complex, unpredictable, and technologically advanced than ever before. The modern Warfighter must operate in environments where logistics is under threat – from cyber vulnerabilities, adversarial supply chain manipulation,
Nov. 1, 2025

The Joint Logistics Enterprise’s Modern 'Contested Logistics Truths'

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
Nov. 1, 2025

Modernization of the Distribution Network

Logistics is no longer a back-end function; it is a front-line enabler of military success. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has underscored the critical role of logistics in modern warfare, where the ability to move, store, and deliver material at
Nov. 1, 2025

DLA Disposition Services: Reutilization as a source of supply

For decades, military forces have relied on a systematic approach to targeting and engaging enemy forces, known as the "Kill Chain," or F2T2EA sequence: Find, Fix, Track, Target, Engage, and Assess. The ultimate goal of warfare is to create
Nov. 1, 2025

Incorporating Tactical Energy Storage into War Reserves: DLA’s Vital Role in Sustaining Strategic...

War Reserve Materiel (WRM) is critical to minimizing supply chain disruptions inherent in contested logistics. For over sixty years, forward-deployed, prepositioned war reserve materiel (PWRM) has enabled rapid response to contingencies and
Nov. 1, 2025

Finding advantage in the economic attributes of supply chain management

The tension between culmination and operational reach is inherent in all operations and at every echelon. Germany started WWII with relatively minuscule industrial capacity, limited access to fossil fuels and light/heavy metals, and a delusional
Nov. 1, 2025

Defense Material Disposition in a Contested Logistics Environment

The emerging joint operating environment (JOE) is characterized by an erosion of U.S. military competitive advantages as adversaries obtain technologically advanced capabilities at a faster pace than ever before to deny, disrupt, and degrade our
April 1, 2025

Support at the Forward Edge of the Battlefield: Lessons Learned

DLA White Paper 25-2, February 2025: Achieving resilient logistics in large-scale combat operations requires regionalized sustainment, integration of allied and partner capabilities through collective logistics, as well as enhanced command, control
April 1, 2025

Modernizing Defense Logistics: Converging Kill Chains and Supply Chains

To maintain readiness and lethality in a rapidly evolving global environment, the DLA must leverage new technologies like AI and machine learning to create digitally interoperable supply chains that are as agile and responsive as kill chains,
May 1, 2025

Utilization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Illuminate Supply Chain Risk

DLA White Paper 25-3, March 2025: DLA is strategically adopting artificial intelligence to revolutionize supply chain risk management, enhance operational resilience, address vulnerabilities, and ultimately ensure mission readiness by leveraging

White Paper Summaries

Enterprisewide | Jan. 6, 2026

Uniform design standardization offers potential supply chain solutions

The Campaign of Learning white paper, “Uniform Design Standardization,” authored by Andrew Strohmetz of DLA Troop Support, examines how streamlining uniform designs across all military services can reinforce the U.S. defense supply chain.
Enterprisewide | Dec. 22, 2025

Modern contested logistics truths drive joint logistics approaches

The Campaign of Learning burst paper, “The Joint Logistics Enterprise’s Modern Contested Logistics Truths,” authored by DLA Director Army Lt. Gen. Mark Simerly and Leighann Martin, explores how updating “logistics truths” is critical for meeting the
Enterprisewide | Dec. 17, 2025

‘Just enough logistics’ shifts paradigm in military supply chain readiness

In response to increasingly complex and asymmetric battlefield environments, new strategies are being advanced to recalibrate how logistics enable warfighter readiness and operational agility.
Enterprisewide | Sept. 24, 2025

Using economic attributes for strategic supply chain management

In response to the evolving challenges in military logistics, new strategies are being pioneered to enhance supply chain management, as described in the white paper, “Finding Advantage in the Economic Attributes of Supply Chain Management."
Enterprisewide | Sept. 8, 2025

Machine learning has potential to revolutionize agency’s planning processes

In response to the increasing complexity and technological demands of modern warfare, the Defense Logistics Agency is pioneering new strategies to enhance military logistics.
Enterprisewide | Aug. 25, 2025

Excess military materials critical to answering contested logistics chal...

In an era where global conflicts are increasingly defined by technological advancements and strategic complexities, the Defense Logistics Agency is turning its focus to a critical aspect of military logistics: material disposition.
Enterprisewide | Aug. 20, 2025

Internet of Behavior has implications for DLA supply chain security

A Defense Logistics Agency paper warns that while the "Internet of Behavior" offers potential for supply chain security, its use must be exercised with intention.
Enterprisewide | June 9, 2025

DLA modernizes distribution network for contested warfare

The Defense Logistics Agency is modernizing its distribution network to ensure the military can sustain operations in increasingly complex and contested environments.
Enterprisewide | April 10, 2025

DLA focusing on digital interoperability for decision advantage

Two Defense Logistics Agency leaders point to digital interoperability as the solution to gaining decision advantage on the battlefield and beyond in a white paper published in National Defense magazine.
Enterprisewide | March 13, 2025

DLA applying AI to supply chain risk management, warfighter readiness

Approaching supply chain risk management with a proactive, data-centric mindset and artificial intelligence will ensure DLA provides stable warfighter support and reduces the impacts of supply chain disruptions.
Enterprisewide | March 6, 2025

Battlefield logistics: Collective capabilities key to allied success

Resilient logistics capabilities will be vital to operational success in future large-scale combat operations, according to a new eight-page white paper titled "Support at the Forward Edge of the Battlefield: Lessons Learned."
Enterprisewide | Nov. 21, 2024

Contested logistics white paper: DLA must adapt sustainment methods now

The concepts and capabilities that have enabled the Defense Logistics Agency to sustain the nation’s warfighters must be adapted to ensure continued success, agency leaders say in a new white paper.
Enterprisewide | March 21, 2025

White paper: War reserves should include tactical energy storage, batteries

Batteries and tactical energy storage should be included in pre-positioned war reserve materiel to ensure today’s modernized joint force is electronically equipped for success, Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime officials say in a white paper
Headquarters | April 1, 2025

Contested logistics white paper: US military logistics no longer unconte...

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has forced the U.S. and NATO allies to confront the hard truth that the European continent is no longer a secure, uncontested environment for military logistics, according to a new white paper.

Warfighter Talks

Enterprisewide | May 18, 2026

USSTRATCOM: Sustaining the force is top imperative

Sustaining the force is a top operational imperative for U.S. Strategic Command, and the Defense Logistics Agency is an indispensable partner in achieving it, said Air Force Lt. Gen. Michael Lutton, deputy commander of USSTRATCOM, during a Warfighter
Enterprisewide | Jan. 21, 2026

Former logistics officer warns against readiness atrophy during ‘off-season’

A former Air Force logistics officer warned Defense Logistics Agency employees that sustainment capabilities can quietly erode during periods of relative peace, stressing that leaders must remain vigilant to prevent an unprepared force when a crisis
Enterprisewide | Jan. 9, 2026

Former Sergeant Major of the Army recounts combat stories, leadership lessons

During Michael “Tony” Grinston’s first few days in combat in Iraq as a first sergeant, he was sleeping in a gym, didn’t have any radios, his vehicle was attacked and one of his soldiers lost part of his foot.
Headquarters | Nov. 24, 2025

Former garrison commander shares story of resilience

Resiliency isn’t a switch you flip but a character you cultivate, retired Army Col. Gregory Gadson told Defense Logistics Agency employees during a Warfighter Talk at McNamara Headquarters Complex Nov. 17. The former Fort Belvoir garrison commander
Enterprisewide | Nov. 19, 2025

Modernization key to countering global threats, former counterintelligence director says

The Defense Logistics Agency must adapt to the complexities of a rapidly changing global landscape by modernizing its approaches to cybersecurity and supply chain security, William Evanina, former director of the National Counterintelligence and
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