The National Defense Strategy of the United States of America (NDS) establishes a set of overarching defense objectives that guide DoD’s security actions and provides direction for the National Military Strategy (NMS). It was developed based on the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) process and is focused on preparing DoD to meet 21st century challenges. One of the four implementation guidelines, which it details, is “Continuous Transformation.” The purpose of continuous transformation “is to extend key advantages and reduce vulnerabilities.”

No area needs transformation more than DoD logistics. In fact, the former Army Chief of Staff, General Eric K. Shinseki has said, “You cannot have an Army transformation without a logistics transformation.” This precept can be unarguably broadened—you cannot transform the Department of Defense without transforming logistics. And, while transforming many military disciplines there are often little proven precedents, in the logistics world, many of the necessary tools and concepts have been proven in the commercial world.