Cultural Factors and How They Shape Military Sustainment and Transition Operations in a Theater of War

<p>This thesis uses firsthand and collaborative experience in transitioning military logistics and sustainment functions to countries where cultures, values and resources differ greatly from that of America to capture concerns and provide recommendations. The research is a result of the material and insight gained by currently serving US Army members who have contributed or are contributing to the transition of sustainment to Iraq and/or Afghanistan. Because of the great difficulty American Forces have in transitioning sustainment capabilities in Iraq and Afghanistan despite being very well resourced and trained themselves, cultural values and resources directly affecting sustainment management and transition seem a viable concept for this study.</p><p>The results of the study indicate that cultural differences, as well as the disparity of funds between the US and that of undeveloped economies, make it difficult to transition US military sustainment operations in Iraq or Afghanistan. Much of this can be attributed to what is valued by each culture; there are contradistinctive values that build the foundations of how sustainment operations are conducted and decidedly unequal availability of funds and resources in technology and infrastructure development concerning sustainment operations. As a result, American Forces have to think differently and use unique approaches in transitioning sustainment functions to Arab cultures and countries with considerably less infrastructure. The final transition solution demands an understanding of the values that underpin the sustainment infrastructure desired along with an appreciation of working a sustainable solution within the confines of the fiscal capabilities of the country’s security forces receiving training.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Liberal Studies

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Liberal Studies

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Toledo

Year dc:date

2012

Author dc:creator

• Butsky, Chris

Contributors dc:contributor

• Van Hoy, Jerry

• American History
• Armed Forces
• Fine Arts
• Health Care Management
• International Relations
• Management
• Middle Eastern Studies
• Military Studies
• Organizational Behavior
• Regional Studies
• Sustainability
• Transportation
• Transportation Planning
• logistics
• military
• transition

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1353030200

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:toledo1353030200