Rapid Equipping Force Here to Stay

Upon the arrival of the US Army in Afghanistan, Commanders recognized the need to equip soldiers and units with non-standard equipment.  In order to meet this need, the Army created the Rapid Equipping Force or REF in 2002.  REF Engineers develop systematic solutions to real-world problems faced by the American Soldier.   Their mission is to quickly met these challenges through the use of current, off-the-shelf technologies within 180 days or less.  Since its creation, the REF has brought items to the battlefield such as Water Purification Units, Unmanned Ground Vehicles, Lightweight All Terrain Vehicles, Traumatic Brain Injury and much more.  As Operation Enduring Freedom comes to its end, questions as tot he need for such a program arise.  Recently however, the future existence of the REF was confirmed by Under Secretary of the Army, Dr. Joseph W. Westphal.  This news was presented in an article on the Official Homepage of the United States Army on 31 January 2014. 

REF Soldier Load Solutions

The Under Secretary's actions signify that the Army views the need to rapidly generate material as being critical to fighting future conflicts.  In his memo, Westphal writes, "The Secretary of the Army and the Chief of Staff have determined that the capabilities afforded the Army by REF must be rendered enduring."  What makes this decision so significant for the Army of the future?

To begin the ability for a military force to generate the equipment necessary to engaging the enemy is vital to their ability to be effective in combat.  Generation is the first aspect of the G-T-S-R (Generate, Transport, Supply, Re-Deploy) Concept of Military Logistics.  It can be debated as to whether logistics drives strategy or if it adapts to meet the requirements of strategy, but regardless, an effective military strategist incorporates logistics into his or her plans.  Through the use of G-T-S-R the effectiveness of current plans as well as analysis of plans of the past can be evaluated to obtain valuable lessons for fighting the wars of the future. 

REF Minotaur in use in OEF

The REF gives the United States Army a unique advantage in terms of the Generation aspect of logistics  Additionally, it also seeks to supply the American soldiers with the tools they need to carry out their mission.  Looking back at the history of the Military Logistics, the ability to generate has the power to give a force a distinct advantage over its enemy.  During the Second World War, this was apparent with relation to the ability of the United States to out-produce Nazi Germany thus giving them a distinct advantage in the European theatre.  Additionally, in the discussion of the Normandy Invasion in Martin Van Crevald's "Supplying War", it is seen that not everything can be planned for.  In the same way the Allied Forces did not expect to have to overcome the Bocage Country of France in 1944, American forces did not expect to have to overcome IEDs in Afghanistan in 2002.  War requires a great deal of adaptability, whether that means moving through the Bocage Country of France, the Jungles of Vietnam, the Desserts of Iraq, or the Mountains of Afghanistan.  The United States Army has had the ability to adapt to these challenges in the past.  The Army of today and tomorrow will continue to turn to the REF to meet these challenges head on and ensure that the US Army has the ability to fight wherever and whenever needed.