Georgia. VIEW ORIGINAL
Sustainment Soldiers must receive comprehensive training in basic combat skills to meet the evolving demands of modern warfare. Historically, support units have been vulnerable when forced to engage in direct combat, as demonstrated by examples from the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Iraq War, and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine War. These instances highlight the increasing likelihood of logistical personnel operating in contested environments and the necessity of self-defense capabilities. Preparing sustainment troops to operate effectively in large-scale combat operations (LSCO) and defend critical supply lines is crucial for overall mission success and force resilience.
In an era where global conflicts continue to evolve, so too must the preparedness of every Soldier, including those in support and sustainment roles. Historically, sustainment troops have often been situated behind the front lines, focusing on providing logistics, supplies, and essential services to the fighters at the front. However, history has shown time and time again that these lines are not impenetrable. From World War II to the present-day Russia-Ukraine War, instances where support units are forced to engage in direct combat are numerous. This article argues that sustainers must be trained in basic combat skills such as those taught in the Special Forces Basic Combat Course - Support (SFBCC-S).
Historical Context
Throughout military history, areas believed to be secure behind the lines have been overrun or penetrated. This proves that all Soldiers must be capable of self-defense. This vulnerability was demonstrated during the initial stages of the Korean War when North Korean forces quickly broke through United Nations and Republic of Korea Army defensive lines and forced them to retreat. This pattern continued in the Vietnam War when Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army forces, though suffering terrible losses in the process, temporarily penetrated heavily defended areas, including cities and forward operating bases, during the 1968 Tet Offensive, forcing all personnel, not just combat troops, to engage the enemy.
The invasion of Iraq in 2003 starkly highlighted these vulnerabilities. The 507th Maintenance Company, which came under attack during an ambush in Nasiriyah, saw only a few individuals returning fire, resulting in significant casualties and several Soldiers being taken prisoner. This incident revealed serious shortcomings in basic combat training among sustainers and underscored the importance of ensuring that support troops are as proficient in combat skills as their combat arms counterparts. We cannot afford for sustainers to believe they are not warriors.
Contemporary Lessons from Russia and Ukraine
The ongoing Russia-Ukraine War has reinforced the need for all Soldiers to be trained in combat skills. In the face of geographically dispersed battles, small mobile teams often find themselves isolated and operating independently, making them vulnerable to ambush and requiring them to be self-reliant. With the need to secure supply lines in an environment marked by constant shelling, drone surveillance, and cyber warfare, Ukraine’s logistical units have had to be agile, capable of rapid relocation, and, above all, equipped to defend themselves. On the opposing side, Russia has reportedly lost upward of 90 resupply trucks each month. Losing not only the supplies but the vehicles transporting them has caused devastating effects on Russia. The tyranny of distance would make such losses completely unsustainable if the U.S. were to go to war in the Pacific theater.
Implications for LSCO
In a LSCO environment, support units must function in geographically dispersed, highly mobile teams. These teams will be tasked not only with providing logistical support but also with defending themselves in hostile territories where frontlines may blur and threats can emerge from any direction. As seen in modern conflicts, supply chains are increasingly vulnerable, and sustainers must be prepared to defend these critical lifelines. The protection of critical supplies like food, water, ammunition, and medical supplies will be paramount on the future battlefield.
To meet these demands, sustainers must be trained to operate independently in smaller, mobile teams. This requires a focus on basic combat skills such as marksmanship, movement, communication, medical skills, and close-quarters combat techniques for securing and holding buildings in hostile areas. The world population is becoming increasingly more urban. More than 55% of people live in cities, and this number is expected to increase to 70% by 2050. Naturally, combat will become more urban and sustainers must adapt to that reality. Sustainment personnel may be required to strong-point buildings or other structures, providing them with a defensible position if their vehicles become disabled.
The Warrior Ethos: Instilling Combat Readiness Across All Roles
A critical component of ensuring combat readiness is fostering a warrior mentality in all Soldiers. Regardless of military occupational specialty (MOS), every Soldier must understand that they are a warrior first and must be prepared to engage in combat if required. No Soldier should ever think, “I’m just a (insert any combat service support MOS), so I’ll never see combat.” This warrior ethos is essential not only for survival but also for ensuring mission success. When sustainers understand that they are integral to the fight and capable of responding to threats, they contribute to a more resilient and adaptable force.
It is no secret that sustainers are seen as soft targets by adversaries. This view does not improve much with our own force, and many combat arms Soldiers see their sustainers as liabilities in a gun fight. Training all Soldiers to be proficient in basic combat skills ensures they can handle any challenge that arises, creating confidence that enhances overall morale and resilience.
Specific Training
Courses like SFBCC-S must become commonplace. SFBCC-S is a training program designed to equip sustainers in special operations with the combat skills necessary to operate effectively in high-stakes combat scenarios. The course aims to prepare support units to engage in direct combat, should they be forced to do so, by teaching them essential combat skills such as marksmanship, tactical combat causality care, and mounted and unmounted tactics. By providing sustainers with this training, the SFBCC-S enables them to defend themselves and their units, even in the most hostile environments, and to contribute to the overall success of the mission. Although each class caters to the needs of the Soldiers in the course, it is clear that the SFBCC-S plays a critical role in fostering a warrior mentality among special operations forces support troops and ensures they are prepared to face the challenges of modern warfare. 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) directs this course be conducted within one year of assignment to a special forces unit and before each deployment. A similar schedule for conventional forces must be considered. Training all Soldiers within one year of assignment will help cement unit standard operating procedures and team cohesion. Additionally, it will give the combat Soldiers more confidence in the abilities of their enablers.
The ability to navigate with a map and compass is a critical skill that is often overlooked in the age of GPS. However, in a combat environment where GPS signals may be jammed, or unavailable, logisticians must be able to rely on basic navigation skills to find their way. Furthermore, they must be aware that even encrypted GPS is still vulnerable to being spoofed if compromised. Navigating with analog methods requires training and practice, and logisticians will need these skills to operate effectively in hostile environments.
In the future, logisticians must be able to use drones to scout ahead and gather intelligence and to employ them in an offensive manner to defeat threats before they materialize. This requires training in drone operation and maintenance and in the ability to integrate drone-based intelligence into their decision-making processes. Additionally, logisticians must be able to defend themselves against drone attacks, using their knowledge of drone capabilities and vulnerabilities to inform their defensive strategies.
The use of drones is just one example of how logisticians can leverage technology to enhance their combat effectiveness. Other examples include the use of advanced communication systems, such as satellite communications and tactical networks, to stay connected with other units and headquarters, even in environments with degraded communications. In addition to analog methods, logisticians must also be trained to use advanced navigation systems, such as GPS and inertial navigation, to ensure they can navigate effectively in unfamiliar terrain.
Conclusion
The nature of modern warfare necessitates that all Soldiers, regardless of role, be prepared to engage in combat. Historical and contemporary conflicts alike demonstrate that logistical and support lines can, and often do, become front lines. Training sustainers in basic combat skills, instilling a warrior mindset, and fostering combat readiness across the force ensure that every Soldier is capable of facing battlefield challenges head-on. A course similar to SFBCC-S must be developed for all sustainers to hone these skills. This commitment to comprehensive readiness will allow sustainers to execute their critical roles effectively, even in the most hostile environments. A force where every Soldier is a warrior not only strengthens defense capabilities, increases safe passage of critical supplies, and builds confidence in our combat arms partners, but also reinforces the Army’s ability to adapt and succeed in the complex realities of LSCO.
--------------------
CSM John Oldroyd serves as the command sergeant major of Group Support Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne) (SFG(A)), and the G-3 sergeant major for the Utah Army National Guard. He enlisted in the active Army in 2001 as an 88M Motor Transport Operator and served at Fort Carson, Colorado, before joining the 19th SFG(A) in 2007, where he progressed through roles including mechanic, detachment sergeant, and first sergeant. He also served as the G-4 senior logistics NCO, first sergeant for Headquarters and Headquarters Company 489th Brigade Support Battalion, and operations sergeant major for multiple commands. He is a graduate of all levels of the Noncommissioned Officer Education System, including the Nominative Leaders Course. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology. He has completed three tours to Iraq and participated in exercises in six countries.
--------------------
This article was published in the fall 2025 issue of Army Sustainment.
RELATED LINKS
The Current issue of Army Sustainment in pdf format
Current Army Sustainment Online Articles
Connect with Army Sustainment on LinkedIn
Connect with Army Sustainment on Facebook
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Social Sharing