Logistics Status Report (LOGSTAT) Class V
@NtcScorpions Scorpion Team at NTC. Logistics Status (LOGSTAT) reporting timelines are important for synchronization of sustainment operations. #TacticsViaTelework #Ready2Fight
Field Manual No. 4-0, Sustainment Operations, describes Logistical Status Reports as a snapshot taken in time and accounts for each unit’s specific requirements based on task organization, equipment density, and assigned mission. Reports are often seen in different formats, but leaders must know the equipment status and the on-hand supplies.
The Class V (ammunition) section of Logistics Status Reports includes the unit’s on-hand stockage levels and what the unit expects to have over the next 24, 48, and 72 hours. Expected expenditure may be difficult to gather from sustainment organizations as the supported unit commander determines ammunition required supply rates based on desired effects (obscure, destroy, defeat, suppress) and knowledge of upcoming tactical operations.
The Logistical Status Reports enable timely decisions and inform the common operational picture of higher command.
The reporting allows for the synchronization of the distribution of supplies to sustain units at their authorized levels. The report is customizable and often differs from organization to organization as it changes to the commander and staff’s preference; the report’s output is then formatted and presented to the commander to understand and act upon.
There are many variations in format, but doctrine does offer some consistency. Field Manual No. 4-0, Sustainment Operations, provides a notional example of a Logistics Status Report on page 1.
Field Manual No. 6-99, U.S. Army Report and Message Formats standardize battlefield reporting, but the ones listed in the publication operate in a voice message format. Each format provides an organized template to record, pass, and store information. But it does help users prepare and manually transmit written and voice reports and messages.
Logistics Status Report [LOGSTAT], Report Number: L005. General Instructions: Use to report logistics problems, required logistic assistance, reallocation, and recommended or intended courses of action.
Field Manual No. 6-99, U.S. Army Report and Message Formats provide the FM 4-0 sample structure. As units do not modify the formats unless authorized by the unit commander to allow for expanded critical information requirements following their unit’s standard operating procedure. The last section, “status percentage,” provides for Red, Amber, Green, and Black remarks. Army doctrine also provides the meaning and can be found in another field manual.
Field Manual No. 1-02.2, Military Symbols, has approved Army military symbols for general use to depict land operations and compiles Department of Defense Military Standard (MIL-STD) 2525D-approved military symbols for use in situation maps and overlays. The standard is used for developing and depicting computer-generated military symbols in command-and-control systems.
Combat effectiveness amplifier, the “Field K” amplifier field, provides the ability to display a unit’s combat effectiveness level. The Field Manual defines Combat effectiveness as the ability of a unit to perform its mission. The amplifier uses the following rating factors for ammunition:
Fully operational (FO) – (85 percent or greater).
Substantially operational (SO) – (70 to 84 percent).
Marginally operational (MO) – 50 to 69 percent).
Not operational (NO) – (less than 50 percent).
Unknown (UNK).
Planners base the data collection and final format of a logistics status report on operational and mission variables. Too many variables may overwhelm subordinate units, and submission requirements not in the control of sustainment unit personnel require additional coordination with other staff sections. High operational tempo will decide the effectiveness of any logistics status report, and assessments should be made early enough if reports do not provide the information required. The key is to ensure that logistics status reports throughout all units provide commanders with enough information to support decision-making.