MN4485 Contested Logistics Seminar

This capstone course in logistics strategy examines the critical link between stated policy objectives and the strategic and tactical logistics decisions that enable them. While the course includes discussions on private-sector logistics, its primary focus is on public-sector applications, particularly defense logistics. Additionally, we will explore the evolving role of Artificial Intelligence in shaping future logistics operations.

Designed as an applied and interdisciplinary seminar, this course integrates knowledge from across your education and professional experiences, emphasizing real-world problem-solving. The central question we will address is: How can the United States and its Allies best provide logistics across the spectrum of warfare against peer or near-peer adversaries?

Building upon foundational concepts in logistics strategy, operations, and supply chain management, students will critically analyze established logistics practices, assess emerging trends, and develop alternative approaches to support current and future institutional objectives. This course functions as a collaborative think tank and laboratory, where students take an active role in their own learning and contribute to the collective knowledge of their peers.

To maximize engagement, students are encouraged to stay informed on global events, particularly those with military and strategic implications.

Prerequisite

MN3442

Lecture Hours

3

Lab Hours

0

Course Learning Outcomes

• Develop and evaluate logistics strategies to enhance operational effectiveness against peer and near-peer adversaries, considering contested environments, resource constraints, and geopolitical dynamics.

• Analyze the strategic-tactical linkage in defense logistics, articulating how high-level decisions by the United States and its Allies impact force readiness and sustainment, with a focus on INDOPACOM and EUCOM areas of responsibility.
• Assess the role of Artificial Intelligence in defense logistics, exploring its impact on supply chain management, operational efficiency, decision-making, and the future of contested logistics.
• Formulate and articulate the responsiveness of defense supply chains, examining how they integrate with broader defense institutions to provide systems and materiel to forward-deployed forces.
• Apply interdisciplinary knowledge to real-world logistics challenges, synthesizing insights from prior coursework, professional experiences, and current events to develop strategic and tactical recommendations.
• Engage in collaborative problem-solving and critical discussion, contributing to a think tank-style learning environment by debating, analyzing, and refining logistics strategies with peers.