The Military Supply Chain
US Army General Highlights Logistics Challenges and Career Opportunities

By Matt Harding, MLOG 2005

The US Army is facing countless supply chain challenges around the globe, and these challenges could create exciting career opportunities for MIT graduates. That was the message US Army General Paul Kern delivered to a room full of MIT students and faculty in November during his presentation sponsored by the institute’s MLOG Program and Supply Chain Management Club.

According to General Kern, today’s U.S. Army is making significant structural changes in its supply chain, such as consolidating major munitions production operations, employing RFID, and managing the supply of rebuilt equipment for the front lines. “Tank engines are no longer manufactured as new replacement parts,” stated Kern. “And as a result, we are required to remove, repair, and replace critical parts using a complex logistics network to support our operations.”

Kern also described the complex logistics of fueling large convoys of vehicles, which is a critical task when supporting thousands of troops. “No one at this time is focusing on a specific supply chain modeling solution to bring all supply related issues together in one package. This is an opportunity for any of you who are interested in solving these complex issues,” Kern said to his audience comprised of more than sixty students.

General Kern then discussed the dynamics of fostering talented supply chain specialists in the military. He indicated that less than 10% of his staff of over 50,000 at the Army Materiel Command currently wears an army uniform, and the majority of that staff was civilian. Kern also highlighted the Army’s pipeline for talented individuals, which is much improved since the Cold War era due to changes in the size of the military and its hiring practices. “You will find an exciting career in the Army solving the most unique supply chain and logistics problems of our time” he added, indicating that the demand for logistics professionals is higher than ever given the aging civilian workforce.

General Paul Kern was the Commanding General for the Army Materiel Command from October 2001 to November 2004. He holds two masters degrees in civil and mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan, and is a Senior Service College Fellow from Harvard University. He has served over 40 years for the United States Army and has numerous distinctions as an engineer and as a soldier including a Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, one with V-device and a Purple Heart with dual Oak Leaf designation.

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