MS786
Developing Multifunctional Logisticians for Dynamic Environments
The Army’s future operating environment is rapidly evolving and will challenge logisticians in ways that extend beyond traditional logistics functions. Large-scale combat operations, contested lines of communication, dispersed formations, and complex operational conditions require logisticians who can seamlessly integrate transportation, maintenance, supply, distribution, and sustainment planning into a cohesive support framework. To meet these demands, the Army must continue developing logisticians to possess technical acumen, tactical expertise, and a broad understanding of sustainment operations across functional areas.
The unique access and placement of special operations forces (SOF) inherently demand that their logisticians operate in austere, dynamic environments. However, the recent reductions in size and structure of SOF sustainment elements force its logisticians to do more with less. To achieve this, leaders must deliberately invest in logisticians to ensure they are trained and equipped to be multi-functional. A 92A Automated Logistical Specialist who can order Class IX repair parts for a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) is valuable, but a 92A who can autonomously operate, repair, and sling-load a JLTV in a contested environment is invaluable. To accomplish this, the 10th Special Forces Group (SFG) Support Battalion developed and instituted a five-day course — Logistics University (LOG-U). The course was designed to increase the multi-functional capacity of the group’s logisticians and accelerate learning in preparation for deployments to the U.S. European Command area of responsibility.
Since 1952, “The Originals” (the 10th SFG at Fort Carson, Colorado) have served as the primary SOF element in Europe. In recent years, their mission evolved to support partner forces in the region on a heel-to-toe presence. As a critical component of these operations, forward support companies provide regional sustainment support across multiple nations. From coordinating diplomatic clearances through multiple sovereign nations to rapidly transporting various classes of supply across the continent, to executing reception, staging, onward movement, and integration operations at strategic air and seaports of debarkation. Logisticians in 10th SFG consistently operate autonomously in dynamic, austere regions.
To prepare logisticians for this task, the incorporation of LOG-U provides students with the opportunity to collaborate across logistics functions while also offering an insight into the European theater sustainment infrastructure and the wider joint logistics enterprise. Unlike traditional functional training that focuses on a single logistics discipline, the course emphasizes integration. Students are challenged to analyze complex sustainment problems, collaborate across logistics specialties, and make decisions under conditions characterized by uncertainty and operational friction. The curriculum reflects the realities of modern military operations. Participants examine sustainment challenges associated with their specific mission set while also cross-training on functional tasks to increase capacity across the formation.
Five Days, Three Domains
At the Mission Training Complex (MTC) on Fort Carson, readiness is not just a goal — it is a meticulously engineered process. The recently conducted program of instruction (POI) was designed to systematically transform raw doctrine into battlefield execution through a rigorous framework: theory, application, and evaluation. Developed by subject matter experts (SMEs) in their fields, including NCOs and warrant officers, the POI was designed to prepare the SOF sustainers to become multi-functional logisticians. To ensure continuous improvement and lock in critical lessons, instructors closed every day with a structured after-action review. This was critical in capturing feedback necessary for future improvement of the course.
The training progression unfolded across four distinct phases: academics, hands-on training, breakout groups, and the culminating exercise (CULEX).
Academics
Day One established the theater picture through academics: a welcome brief, a 21st Theater Sustainment Command capabilities overview, a S-2 theater and security brief, a survey of supply support activity assets, and an overview of Class V and aerial delivery. The day also introduced the CULEX so that students understood, from the kickoff, the standard they were training toward.
Hands-on Training
Day Two moved into hands-on training — cargo net palletizing, ammunition compatibility, and a palletizing test-out — converting classroom concepts into graded, repeatable tasks.
Days Three and Four were the core of the course: three concurrent breakout groups, with Soldiers rotating based on military occupational specialty before re-integrating for the CULEX. Each domain validated the unit’s concept of logistics against the tasks, conditions, and standards the mission would require:
- Movement. European road restrictions and route planning; international hazardous material (HAZMAT) clearances, sensitive items, and general cargo; movement systems; air movement requirements and HAZMAT certifications; mission concept (MICON) briefs; infiltration and exfiltration assets; and pallet building with supporting HAZMAT documentation.
- Ammunition. Identify and store munitions to standard; inventory and secure munitions for movement; palletize per compatibility requirements; recognize hazard symbols and associated hazards; understand theater Class V storage architecture and fiscal-year cross-over planning considerations.
- Maintenance. SOF vehicle familiarization and basic maintenance; generator operations, including 30k generator employment and power thresholds; preventive maintenance checks and services (PMCS) at the 10-skill level; and equipment readiness criteria — the GO/NO-GO standard required to advance into the CULEX.
CULEX
The CULEX placed SOF sustainers inside a special operations task force logistics scenario and required Soldiers to plan, coordinate, and leverage all available theater assets to execute it, demonstrating integration of every LOG-U training domain rather than mastery in one. The exercise was sequenced so that performance gated progress.
In the maintenance lane, Soldiers completed PMCS on an assigned generator and had to achieve GO status to advance. The generator then powered the command element node. In the ammunition lane, Soldiers palletized assigned munitions to standard and, on achieving GO status, briefed the SOF sustainers’ commander and SME evaluators. In the movement lane, Soldiers built a movement plan for a munitions retrograde, submitted diplomatic clearances and Aircraft and Personnel Automated Clearance System requests, prepared load plans and transportation documents, and developed a MICON brief to support commander decision points. The end state was unambiguous: SOF sustainers planned, coordinated, and executed a complete theater logistics scenario that was evaluated directly by their Special Forces battalion commander and key staff members.
Outcomes
Enhanced Operational Readiness. By simulating real-world logistics challenges in a controlled environment, LOG-U let Soldiers apply their skills in practical settings before they carry consequences. The scenario-based design fostered a deeper understanding of operating in complex, high-stakes environments and equipped the SOF sustainers with the skills, knowledge, and adaptability to sustain mission success.
Standardized Procedures. Training every member of the group sustainment element to a consistent standard — aligned to special operations requirements — produced interoperability and efficiency that a patchwork of individual on-the-job learning cannot. The unit is now able to arrive to their rotation speaking a common procedural language.
Ultimately, the training POI champions a vital strategic vision: forging highly adaptable, multifunctional logisticians who can execute flawless sustainment across unpredictable operational landscapes. This initiative is deliberately designed to shape the future of the SOF sustainer — versatile, resilient, and ready for any fight.
An Opportunity to Scale
The five-day training event had a single purpose: prepare the SOF sustainer to sustain operations throughout a complicated and complex theater environment. It did more than that. It produced a repeatable model for building the SOF sustainer.
The concept is designed to scale. The five-day POI framework, the MTC facility, and a validated curriculum are already in place. Expanding a class to include additional brigade commanders’ formations is low cost and high return. A single interoperable cohort — Component 2 and conventional-force logistics Soldiers training alongside special operations sustainers — makes each successive class more diverse and more operationally realistic. Every domain, from movement to ammunition to maintenance, gains from the multi-unit perspective and cross-functional experience a broader cohort brings.
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LTC James Broadie currently serves as the Group Support Battalion Commander in the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Carson, Colorado. He previously served as a joint planner at U.S. Special Operations Command. He also served as the executive officer to the commanding general of Army Sustainment Command and as the aide-de-camp to the commanding general of First Army. He earned a Master of Operational Studies degree at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
CPT Brooke C. De Renzo currently serves as a company commander at Fort Carson, Colorado. Her previous assignments include battalion S-1 and assistant executive officer to the Adjutant General (AG) of the Army. She is a graduate of AG Basic Officer Leader Course and the Captains Career Course. She holds a Master of Arts degree in urban and public affairs from the University of San Francisco where she participated in the ROTC program, commissioning as a second lieutenant in the AG Corps upon graduation.
CPT Sotirios D. Econopouly currently serves as a company commander at Fort Carson, Colorado. His previous assignments include platoon leader and executive officer at Hunter Army Airfield and Fort Campbell. He is a graduate of the Quartermaster Basic Officer Leader Course and the Logistics Captains Career Course at Fort Lee, Virginia. He holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Rice University. He participated in the ROTC program at the University of Scranton, commissioning as a second lieutenant in the Quartermaster Corps upon graduation.
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This article was published in the fall 2026 edition of Army Sustainment Professional Bulletin.
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