Military Logistics vs. Business Logistics

Abstract

Military logistics as a specific area of logistics management makes the difference between a well-supplied and self-sustainable army which due to an efficiently created supply chain, can perform it’s military actions more efficiently, and an army that, due to insufficient commitment to military logistics activities creates an inefficient army that is cut off from food, water, and other basic resources without which the army can’t function. The specifics of military logistics make this area of logistics management special, formally separated, but essentially very close to the field of business logistics. The aim of this paper is to point out the features that distinguish military logistics management from business logistics management, but also to point out the complexities and limitations that military logistics bring with it. The key determinants of the difference will be presented through the organization of the logistics supply chain, the subjects, participants and goals it involves, but also the risk, the corresponding law, logistics process management approach, innovations, organization systems, and the basic methods of transportation that military logistics brings with it. The given specifics need to be analyzed and compared with the key features of business logistics, where through the examples from practice will be pointed out the points of contact, but also the key differences between these two areas of logistics.