3-3.
PRINCIPLES OF SUPPORT
The planners who created today's modern Army division were not shortsighted,
and they did not rivet their attention on tactical mobility and neglect the extremely
important mobility of the CSS system. As a result, the DISCOM, as well as the corps
support command (COSCOM), has been designed to provide ADAPTABLE, MOBILE,
RESPONSIBLE, and CONTINUOUS CSS. These terms can be useless clichs,
entirely without meaning or substance, unless we appreciate the impact they have on
tactical operations.
a. Adaptable. This system must be capable of being integrated into the tactical
operations to meet the changing needs of the division so that adequate support can be
provided without limiting tactical operations. The system must also adjust itself to
support either the infantry, armored, mechanized, AASLT, or airborne division in any
form of conflict ranging from limited to general war.
b. Mobile. Combat service support units must be as mobile as the combat and
CS units they support. They must provide an uninterrupted flow of supplies to the user
with minimum handling and off-loading. At the same time, they must maintain a state of
readiness that will enable them to move forward with the mobility of the supported units.
In this sense, mobile does not refer to comparative mobility of vehicles, but rather to the
ability to rapidly displace the supply base the support facilities. By providing this
mobility, the maneuver units are not tied to a fixed logistic base.
c. Responsive. Personnel with related skills in the supply and maintenance
fields have been grouped under one commander. This grouping has resulted in
functionalizing the division-level maintenance and supply support. This organization
has enabled the division commander to provide one-stop maintenance and supply
support for subordinate elements of the division and thus has increased the
responsiveness in the maintenance and supply fields.
d. Continuous. Combat service support units must be available whenever and
wherever their support is required. Support such as supply and maintenance must be
continuously available. During lulls in combat operations, as when one combat element
is temporarily relieved from contact, or when the situation otherwise permits, the combat
service support element can immediately furnish supply.
3-4.
SUPPLY
Supply consists of the provision of those items required for the equipment,
maintenance, and operation of a military force. It involves the requisitioning, storage and
distribution, and issuing of these supplies. Exceptions to supply support include such
items as water and cryptographic items. To facilitate classification, supplies are divided
into ten classes:
MD0002
3-4