Editing Military (section)

==Organization==
{{further|Military organization}}
[[File:GCCMAP_2019.png|thumb|upright=1.35|An example of military command: a map of the United States' [[Unified combatant command|Unified Combatant Command]]'s area of responsibility.]]

===Personnel and units===
{{main|Military personnel}}
{{See also|Military reserve|Military service|Women in the military}}
Despite the growing importance of [[military technology]], military activity depends above all on people. For example, in 2000 the British Army declared: "Man is still the first weapon of war."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/395358/2000-ADPvol5_Soldiering_the_Military_Covenant_Ver2.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221010/https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/395358/2000-ADPvol5_Soldiering_the_Military_Covenant_Ver2.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-10 |url-status=live|title=Soldiering: The military covenant|last=British Army|date=2000|access-date=2017-12-13}}</ref>

==== Rank and role ====
The military organization is characterized by a [[command hierarchy]] divided by [[military rank]], with ranks normally grouped (in descending order of authority) as [[Officer (armed forces)|officers]] (e.g. [[colonel]]), [[non-commissioned officer]]s (e.g. [[sergeant]]), and personnel at the lowest rank (e.g. [[Private (rank)|private]]). While senior officers make strategic decisions, subordinated military personnel ([[soldier]]s, [[sailor]]s, [[marine (military)|marines]], or [[airmen]]) fulfil them. Although rank titles vary by [[military branch]] and country, the rank hierarchy is common to all state armed forces worldwide.

In addition to their rank, personnel occupy one of many trade roles, which are often grouped according to the nature of the role's military tasks on combat operations: [[combat]] roles (e.g. [[infantry]]), [[combat support]] roles (e.g. [[combat engineer]]s), and [[combat service support]] roles (e.g. [[Military logistics|logistical support]]).

==== Recruitment ====
{{Main|Military recruitment}}

Personnel may be [[Military recruitment|recruited]] or [[Conscription|conscripted]], depending on the system chosen by the state. Most military personnel are males; the minority proportion of female personnel varies internationally (approximately 3% in India,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thediplomat.com/2016/02/indias-military-to-allow-women-in-combat-roles/|title=India's Military to Allow Women in Combat Roles|last=Franz-Stefan Gady|work=The Diplomat|access-date=2017-12-12|language=en-US}}</ref> 10% in the UK,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-armed-forces-biannual-diversity-statistics-2017|title=UK armed forces biannual diversity statistics: 2017|date=2017|website=www.gov.uk|language=en|access-date=2017-12-12}}</ref> 13% in Sweden,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forsvarsmakten.se/sv/om-myndigheten/vara-varderingar/jamstalldhet-och-jamlikhet/historik/|title=Historik|last=Försvarsmakten|website=Försvarsmakten|language=sv-SE|access-date=2017-12-12}}</ref> 16% in the US,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.usarec.army.mil/support/faqs.htm|title=Support Army Recruiting|last=US Army|date=2013|website=www.usarec.army.mil|access-date=2017-12-12|archive-date=9 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181109101909/http://www.usarec.army.mil/support/faqs.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> and 27% in South Africa<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=16708:fact-file-sandf-regular-force-levels-by-race-a-gender-april-30-2011-&catid=79:fact-files&Itemid=159|title=Fact file: SANDF regular force levels by race & gender: April 30, 2011 {{!}} defenceWeb|last=Engelbrecht|first=Leon|website=www.defenceweb.co.za|date=29 June 2011|language=en-gb|access-date=2017-12-12}}</ref>). While two-thirds of states now recruit or conscript only adults, as of 2017 50 states still relied partly on children under the age of 18 (usually aged 16 or 17) to staff their armed forces.<ref name="CSIntl-2018">{{Cite news|url=https://www.child-soldiers.org/where-are-there-child-soldiers|title=Where are child soldiers?|work=Child Soldiers International|access-date=2017-12-08|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201210707/https://www.child-soldiers.org/where-are-there-child-soldiers|archive-date=1 February 2018|url-status=usurped}}</ref>

Whereas recruits who join as [[Officer (armed forces)|officers]] tend to be [[Upwardly mobile|upwardly-mobile]],<ref name="Segal-1998">{{Cite journal|last=Segal, D R|display-authors=etal|date=1998|title=The all-volunteer force in the 1970s|jstor=42863796|journal=Social Science Quarterly|volume=72 |issue=2|pages=390–411}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Bachman|first1=Jerald G.|last2=Segal|first2=David R.|last3=Freedman-Doan|first3=Peter|last4=O'Malley|first4=Patrick M.|title=Who chooses military service? Correlates of propensity and enlistment in the U.S. Armed Forces.|journal=Military Psychology|language=en|volume=12|issue=1|pages=1–30|doi=10.1207/s15327876mp1201_1|year=2000|s2cid=143845150}}</ref> most enlisted personnel have a childhood background of relative [[Socio-economic gap|socio-economic deprivation]].<ref name="Brett-2004">Brett, Rachel, and Irma Specht. ''Young Soldiers: Why They Choose to Fight''. Boulder: [[Lynne Rienner Publishers]], 2004. {{ISBN|1-58826-261-8}}{{page needed|date=May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.unicef.org/publications/index_49985.html|title=Machel Study 10-Year Strategic Review: Children and conflict in a changing world|website=UNICEF|access-date=2017-12-08|archive-date=9 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171209100213/https://www.unicef.org/publications/index_49985.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Iversen|first1=Amy C.|last2=Fear|first2=Nicola T.|last3=Simonoff|first3=Emily|last4=Hull|first4=Lisa|last5=Horn|first5=Oded|last6=Greenberg|first6=Neil|last7=Hotopf|first7=Matthew|last8=Rona|first8=Roberto|last9=Wessely|first9=Simon|date=2007-12-01|title=Influence of childhood adversity on health among male UK military personnel|url=http://bjp.rcpsych.org/content/191/6/506|journal=The British Journal of Psychiatry|language=en|volume=191|issue=6|pages=506–511|doi=10.1192/bjp.bp.107.039818|issn=0007-1250|pmid=18055954|doi-access=free}}</ref>&nbsp;For example, after the US suspended conscription in 1973, "the military disproportionately attracted African American men, men from lower-status socioeconomic backgrounds, men who had been in nonacademic high school programs, and men whose high school grades tended to be low".<ref name="Segal-1998" /> However, a study released in 2020 on the socio-economic backgrounds of U.S. Armed Forces personnel suggests that they are at parity or slightly higher than the civilian population with respect to socio-economic indicators such as parental income, parental wealth and cognitive abilities. The study found that technological, tactical, operational and doctrinal changes have led to a change in the demand for personnel. Furthermore, the study suggests that the most disadvantaged socio-economic groups are less likely to meet the requirements of the modern U.S. military.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Asoni|first1=Andrea|last2=Gilli|first2=Andrea|last3=Gilli|first3=Mauro|last4=Sanandaji|first4=Tino|date=2020-01-30|title=A mercenary army of the poor? Technological change and the demographic composition of the post-9/11 U.S. military|journal=Journal of Strategic Studies|volume=45 |issue=4 |pages=568–614|doi=10.1080/01402390.2019.1692660|issn=0140-2390|doi-access=|s2cid=213899510 }}</ref>

==== Obligations ====

The obligations of military employment are many. Full-time military employment normally requires a minimum period of service of several years; between two and six years is typical of armed forces in Australia, the UK and the US, for example, depending on role, branch, and rank.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://army.defencejobs.gov.au/jobs/artillery-air-defender?ci=0|title=Army – Artillery – Air Defender|website=army.defencejobs.gov.au|language=en|access-date=2017-12-09}}{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="Gee-2016">{{Cite journal|last1=Gee|first1=David|last2=Taylor|first2=Rachel|date=2016-11-01|title=Is it Counterproductive to Enlist Minors into the Army?|journal=The RUSI Journal|volume=161|issue=6|pages=36–48|doi=10.1080/03071847.2016.1265837|s2cid=157986637|issn=0307-1847}}</ref><ref name="Findlaw-2017">{{Cite news|url=http://military.findlaw.com/administrative-issues-benefits/what-is-a-military-enlistment-contract.html|title=What is a Military Enlistment Contract?|work=Findlaw|access-date=2017-12-09}}</ref> Some armed forces allow a short [[Military discharge|discharge]] window, normally during training, when recruits may leave the armed force as of right.<ref name="UK legislation-2007">{{Cite web|url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2007/3382/contents/made|title=The Army Terms of Service Regulations 2007|website=www.legislation.gov.uk|language=en|access-date=2017-12-09}}</ref> Alternatively, part-time military employment, known as [[Military reserve force|reserve service]], allows a recruit to maintain a civilian job while training under military discipline at weekends; he or she may be called out to [[Military operation|deploy on operations]] to supplement the full-time personnel complement. After leaving the armed forces, recruits may remain liable for compulsory return to full-time military employment in order to train or [[Military operation|deploy on operations]].<ref name="UK legislation-2007" /><ref name="Findlaw-2017" />

[[Military Law|Military law]] introduces offences not recognized by civilian courts, such as [[Desertion|absence without leave (AWOL)]], desertion, political acts, [[malingering]], behaving disrespectfully, and disobedience (see, for example, [[offences against military law in the United Kingdom]]).<ref name="UK Ministry Defence-2017">{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/440632/20150529-QR_Army_Amdt_31_Jul_2013.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221010/https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/440632/20150529-QR_Army_Amdt_31_Jul_2013.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-10 |url-status=live|title=Queen's Regulations for the Army (1975, as amended)|last=UK, Ministry of Defence|date=2017|access-date=2017-12-09}}</ref> Penalties range from a summary [[reprimand]] to imprisonment for several years following a [[Court-martial|court martial]].<ref name="UK Ministry Defence-2017" /> Certain rights are also restricted or suspended, including the freedom of association (e.g. union organizing) and freedom of speech (speaking to the media).<ref name="UK Ministry Defence-2017" /> Military personnel in some countries have a right of [[Conscientious objector|conscientious objection]] if they believe an order is immoral or unlawful, or cannot in good conscience carry it out.

Personnel may be posted to bases in their home country or overseas, according to operational need, and may be deployed from those bases on [[Military exercise|exercises]] or [[Military operation|operations]]. During peacetime, when military personnel are generally stationed in [[garrison]]s or other permanent military facilities, they conduct administrative tasks, [[military training|training]] and [[military education|education]] activities, [[Maintenance, repair and operations|technology maintenance]], [[military recruitment|and recruitment]].

==== Training ====
[[File:USRAK soldiers attend Finnish army's cold weather training 150110-A-WX507-585.jpg|thumb|upright|Finnish and American soldiers training together in arctic conditions in [[Lapland (Finland)|Lapland, Finland]], January 6–16, 2015]]
{{Main|Military recruit training}}
Initial training conditions recruits for the demands of military life, including preparedness to injure and kill other people, and to face mortal danger without fleeing. It is a physically and psychologically intensive process which [[Resocialization|resocializes]] recruits for the unique nature of military demands.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}} For example:
* Individuality is suppressed (e.g. by shaving the head of new recruits, issuing uniforms, denying privacy, and prohibiting the use of first names);<ref name="McGurk-2006">{{Cite book|chapter=Joining the ranks: The role of indoctrination in transforming civilians to service members|title = Military life: The psychology of serving in peace and combat |volume = 2|last1=McGurk|first1= Dennis|last2=Cotting |first2 = Dave I.|last3= Britt|first3=Thomas W.|last4= Adler|first4 = Amy B.|display-authors=1|publisher=Praeger Security International |year=2006|isbn=978-0-275-98302-4|location=Westport, Connecticut|pages=13–31|chapter-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=mwuEuGG1-1UC&pg=PA13}}</ref><ref name="Hockey-1986">{{Cite book|title=Squaddies : portrait of a subculture|last=Hockey|first=John|date=1986 |publisher= University of Exeter|isbn=978-0-85989-248-3|location=Exeter, Devon|oclc=25283124}}</ref>
* Daily routine is tightly controlled (e.g. recruits must make their beds, polish boots, and stack their clothes in a certain way, and mistakes are punished);<ref name="Bourne-1967">{{Cite journal|last=Bourne|first=Peter G.|date=1967-05-01|title=Some Observations on the Psychosocial Phenomena Seen in Basic Training|journal=Psychiatry|volume=30|issue=2|pages=187–196|doi=10.1080/00332747.1967.11023507|issn=0033-2747|pmid=27791700}}</ref><ref name="Hockey-1986" />
* Continuous [[stressor]]s deplete psychological resistance to the demands of their instructors (e.g. depriving recruits of sleep, food, or shelter, shouting insults and giving orders intended to humiliate)<ref name="Grossman-2009">{{Cite book|title=On killing : the psychological cost of learning to kill in war and society|last=Grossman|first=Dave|date=2009|publisher=Little, Brown and Co|isbn=978-0-316-04093-8|edition=Rev.|location=New York|oclc=427757599}}</ref><ref name="Hockey-1986" /><ref name="Bourne-1967" />
* Frequent punishments serve to condition group conformity and discourage poor performance;<ref name="Hockey-1986" />
* The disciplined drill instructor is presented as a role model of the ideal soldier.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Faris|first=John H.|date=2016-09-16|title=The Impact of Basic Combat Training: The Role of the Drill Sergeant in the All-Volunteer Army|journal=Armed Forces & Society|language=en|volume=2|issue=1|pages=115–127|doi=10.1177/0095327x7500200108|s2cid=145213941}}</ref>

===Intelligence===
{{Main|Military intelligence|}}

The next requirement comes as a fairly basic need for the military to identify possible [[military threat|threats]] it may be called upon to face. For this purpose, some of the commanding forces and other military, as well as often civilian personnel participate in identification of these threats. This is at once an organization, a system and a process collectively called [[military intelligence]] (MI). Areas of study in Military intelligence may include the operational environment, hostile, friendly and neutral forces, the civilian population in an area of combat operations, and other broader areas of interest.<ref>
{{cite web| title = University Catalog 2011/2012, Master Courses: pp.99, size: 17MB| url = http://www.ni-u.edu/pdf/NIU_Catalog_2011.pdf| publisher = US National Intelligence University| access-date = 28 March 2012| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120123164032/http://www.ni-u.edu/pdf/NIU_Catalog_2011.pdf| archive-date = 23 January 2012}}
</ref>

The difficulty in using military intelligence concepts and military intelligence methods is in the nature of the [[Information security|secrecy]] of the information they seek, and the [[clandestine operation|clandestine]] nature that intelligence operatives work in obtaining what may be plans for a [[conflict escalation]], [[Phase (combat)|initiation of combat]], or an [[invasion]].

An important part of the military intelligence role is the military analysis performed to assess [[military capability]] of potential future aggressors, and provide combat modelling that helps to understand factors on which comparison of forces can be made. This helps to quantify and qualify such statements as: "[[People's Liberation Army|China]] and [[Military of India|India]] maintain the largest armed forces in the World" or that "the [[U.S. Military]] is considered to be the world's strongest".<ref>[http://www.statista.com/statistics/220318/opinion-of-americans-on-the-us-being-the-no1-military-power-in-the-world/ Statistics on Americans' opinion about the U.S. being the world's no1 military power] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010065827/https://www.statista.com/statistics/220318/opinion-of-americans-on-the-us-being-the-no1-military-power-in-the-world/ |date=10 October 2017 }}, Gallup, March 2012. Retrieved May 3, 2013.</ref>
[[File:Simple guerrilla organization.svg|thumb|Guerrilla structure]]

Although some groups engaged in combat, such as militants or [[resistance movement]]s, refer to themselves using military terminology, notably 'Army' or 'Front', none have had the structure of a national military to justify the reference, and usually have had to rely on support of outside national militaries. They also use these terms to conceal from the MI their true capabilities, and to impress potential ideological recruits.

Having military intelligence representatives participate in the execution of the national defence policy is important, because it becomes the first respondent and commentator on the policy expected [[strategic goal (military)|strategic goal]], compared to the realities of [[Intelligence (information gathering)|identified threats]]. When the intelligence reporting is compared to the policy, it becomes possible for the national leadership to consider allocating resources over and above the officers and their subordinates military pay, and the expense of maintaining military facilities and military support services for them.

===Budget===
{{Further|Military budget|List of countries by military expenditures|List of countries by past military expenditure|List of countries by military expenditure per capita}}
{{Bar chart
| title       = Military budget 2021 {{small|(in USD billions)}}
| caption     = {{small|Source: [[Stockholm International Peace Research Institute|SIPRI]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (2021)|url=https://sipri.org/sites/default/files/2021-04/fs_2104_milex_0.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221010/https://sipri.org/sites/default/files/2021-04/fs_2104_milex_0.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-10 |url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-16|website=www.sipri.org|language=en-UK}}</ref>}}
| label_type  = {{small|Country}}
| data_type   = {{small|Military Budget}}
| bar_width   = 10
| width_units = em
| data_max    = 800
| float = right
| label1   = {{flagicon|US}} United States
| data1    = 778.0
| label2   = {{flagicon|China}} China
| data2    = 252.0
| label3   = {{flagicon|India}} India
| data3    = 72.9
| label4   = {{flagicon|Russia}} Russia
| data4    = 61.7
| label5   = {{flagicon|UK}} United Kingdom
| data5    = 59.2
| label6   = {{flagicon|Saudi Arabia}} Saudi Arabia
| data6    = 57.5
| label7   = {{flagicon|Germany}} Germany
| data7    = 52.8
| label8   = {{flagicon|France}} France
| data8    = 52.7
| label9   = {{flagicon|Japan}} Japan
| data9    = 49.1
| label10  = {{flagicon|South Korea}} South Korea
| data10   = 45.7
| label11  = {{flagicon|Italy}} Italy
| data11   = 28.9
| label12  = {{flagicon|Australia}} Australia
| data12   = 27.5
| label13  = {{flagicon|Canada}} Canada
| data13   = 22.8
| label14  = {{flagicon|Israel}} Israel
| data14   = 21.7
| label15  = {{flagicon|Brazil}} Brazil
| data15   = 19.7
}}

[[Economics of defense|Defense economics]] is the financial and monetary efforts made to resource and sustain militaries, and to finance [[military operation]]s, including war.

The process of allocating resources is conducted by determining a [[military budget]], which is administered by a military finance organization within the military. Military procurement is then authorized to purchase or contract provision of goods and services to the military, whether in peacetime at a permanent base, or in a combat zone from local population.

<gallery mode="packed" widths="300">
File:Military Expenditures by Country 2019.svg|A pie chart showing global military expenditures by country for 2019, in US$ billions, according to SIPRI
File:Military Expenditures as percent of GDP 2017.png|Map of military expenditures as a percentage of [[gross domestic product|GDP]] by country, 2017<ref>'''2017''' data from: {{cite web  |url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS|title=Military expenditure (% of GDP). Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Yearbook: Armaments, Disarmament and International Security.|website=[[World Bank]]|access-date=2019-03-08}}</ref>{{Update inline|date=July 2019}}
File:U.S - China - Russia, Military Spending.svg|History of military budgets by country
</gallery>

===Capability development===
Capability development, which is often referred to as the military 'strength', is arguably one of the most complex activities known to humanity; because it requires determining: strategic, operational, and tactical capability requirements to counter the identified threats; strategic, [[Operational doctrine|operational]], and tactical doctrines by which the acquired capabilities will be used; identifying concepts, methods, and systems involved in executing the doctrines; creating design specifications for the manufacturers who would produce these in adequate quantity and quality for their use in combat; purchase the concepts, methods, and systems; create a forces structure that would use the concepts, methods, and systems most effectively and efficiently; integrate these concepts, methods, and systems into the force structure by providing [[military education]], [[military training|training]], and [[Military exercise|practice]] that preferably resembles combat environment of intended use; create [[military logistics]] systems to allow continued and uninterrupted performance of [[military organization]]s under combat conditions, including provision of health services to the personnel, and maintenance for the equipment; the services to assist recovery of wounded personnel, and repair of damaged equipment; and finally, post-conflict [[demobilization]], and disposal of war stocks surplus to peacetime requirements.

Development of [[military doctrine]] is perhaps the most important of all capability development activities, because it determines how military forces are used in conflicts, the concepts and methods used by the command to employ appropriately military skilled, [[soldier|armed]] and [[military equipment|equipped]] personnel in achievement of the tangible goals and objectives of the [[war]], [[military campaign|campaign]], [[battle]], engagement, and action.<ref name="p.67, Dupuy">Dupuy, T.N. (1990) ''Understanding war: History and Theory of combat'', Leo Cooper, London, p. 67</ref> The line between strategy and tactics is not easily blurred, although deciding which is being discussed had sometimes been a matter of personal judgement by some commentators, and military historians. The use of forces at the level of organization between strategic and tactical is called [[operational mobility]].

===Science===
{{Main|Military technology}}
{{Unreferenced section|date=March 2017}}
[[File:UA EDM4S anti-drone rifle 01.jpg|thumb|A frontline Ukrainian soldier with an anti-drone rifle, which uses [[Directed-energy weapon|directed energy]] to disable its target. The mainstream use of [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|drone]] technology in the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]] led to a need to research, develop and deploy effective counter-measures.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ukraine Deploys Anti-Drone Jamming Guns to its Forces on the Donbas Frontline |url=https://en.defence-ua.com/news/ukraine_deploys_anti_drone_jamming_guns_to_its_forces_on_the_donbas_frontline-1986.html |website=Defense Express |access-date=25 July 2024}}</ref>]]
Because most of the concepts and methods used by the military, and many of its systems are not found in commercial branches, much of the material is researched, designed, developed, and offered for inclusion in [[arsenal]]s by [[military science]] organizations within the overall structure of the military. Therefore, military scientists can be found interacting with all Arms and Services of the armed forces, and at all levels of the military hierarchy of command.

Although concerned with research into [[military psychology]], particularly [[Combat stress reaction|combat stress]] and how it affects troop [[morale]], often the bulk of military science activities is directed at military intelligence technology, [[military communications]], and improving [[military capability]] through research. The design, development, and prototyping of [[weapon]]s, military support equipment, and [[military technology]] in general, is also an area in which much effort is invested – it includes everything from global communication networks and [[aircraft carrier]]s to paint and food.

===Logistics===
{{Main|Military logistics}}
{{Unreferenced section|date=March 2017}}
[[File:Combat Logistics Patrol in Afghanistan MOD 45152764.jpg|thumb|Afghan and British military cargo trucks preparing a [[convoy]] to resupply a [[forward operating base]] in [[Afghanistan]], 2011]]
[[File:JASDF C-2(78-1205) PDS airdrop demonstration at Miho Air Base May 27, 2018 03.jpg|thumb|A [[Japan Air Self-Defense Force]] [[Kawasaki C-2]] [[military transport aircraft]] conducting an [[airdrop]] demonstration over [[Miho-Yonago Airport|Miho Air Base]], 2018]]
Possessing military capability is not sufficient if this capability cannot be deployed for, and employed in combat operations. To achieve this, [[military logistics]] are used for the [[logistics management]] and logistics planning of the forces [[military supply chain management]], the consumables, and capital equipment of the troops.

Although mostly concerned with the [[military transport]], as a means of delivery using different modes of transport; from [[military truck]]s, to [[container ship]]s operating from permanent [[military base]], it also involves creating field supply dumps at the rear of the [[combat]] zone, and even forward supply points in a specific unit's [[tactical area of responsibility]].

These supply points are also used to provide [[military engineering]] services, such as the recovery of defective and derelict vehicles and weapons, maintenance of weapons in the field, the repair and field modification of weapons and equipment; and in peacetime, the life-extension programmes undertaken to allow continued use of equipment. One of the most important role of logistics is the supply of [[munition]]s as a primary type of consumable, their storage, and [[Ordnance disposal|disposal]].