Logistics is the science of planning and carrying out the movement and maintenance of forces and includes the design, development, acquisition, storage, movement, distribution, maintenance, evacuation, and disposition of material; the movement, evacuation, and hospitalization of personnel; the acquisition or construction, maintenance, operation, and disposition of facilities; and the acquisition or furnishings of services.
What is an 0402?
Logistics Officers plan, coordinate, execute and/or supervise the execution of all logistics functions and the six functional areas of tactical logistics: supply, maintenance, transportation, general engineering, health services, and services. Logistics Officers serve as commanders or assistants to the commanders of tactical logistics units/elements and as members of general or executive staffs in the operating forces, supporting establishment, and joint staff. They perform duties of Mobility Officer, Maintenance Management Officer (MMO), Motor Transport Officer (MTO), and Landing Support (LS) Officers, and are responsible for administrative and tactical unit movement of personnel, supplies, and equipment by all modes of transportation.
Are there any prerequisites to becoming a Logistics Officer
There are no prerequisites to becoming a Logistics Officer other than the MOS school(s).
Where do I go after TBS?
After TBS, officers must complete the 79 day Logistics Officer Course (LOC) at the Logistics Operations School aboard Camp Johnson, MCB Camp Lejeune, NC. The purpose of the course is to train company grade officers for duty in a logistics-related billet at the battalion or equivalent level where their responsibilities will include the general duties of logistics officers, performing transportation operations, and coordinating Combat Service Support (CSS). This course provides an entry-level foundation of logistics doctrine, develops skills necessary to perform effectively in a logistics billet, and parallels the nature of expeditionary operations.
What is it like being a Logistics Officer?
The support provided by Logistics Officers is required aboard every major Marine Corps installation and in units across the MAGTF. A typical first-tour assignment for a Logistics Officer is as the unit Logistics Officer (S-4), MMO, or MTO within an O-5 (Lieutenant Colonel) level command at a battalion or squadron or as a Platoon Commanders within a Transportation Support Battalion (TSB) subordinate to the MLG as part of the LCE of the MAGTF. Logistics Officers may serve in a G-4 at a MAW, MARDIV, or MLG or at a MEF-level command in support of a Major or Lieutenant Colonel on a General Officer staff.
Recommended reading for Logistics Officers
The Soldier’s Load and the Mobility of a Nation. S.L.A Marshall
Logistics in the Falklands War. Kenneth L. Privratsky
Supplying War: Logistics from Wallenstein to Patton. Martin Van Creveld
The Lieutenant Don’t Know: One Marine’s Story of Warfare and Combat Logistics in Afghanistan. Jeffrey Clement
Blind Spot: Hidden Biases of Good People. Mahzarin R. Banaji and Antony G. Greenwald (free audiobook)
Related occupations
- 0405, Aerial Delivery Officer (Capt to 2ndLt) NMOS (0402)
- 0407, Personnel Retrieval and Processing Officer (I) (Capt to 2ndLt) FMOS
- 0411, Maintenance Management Specialist (MGySgt to Pvt) PMOS
- 0430, Mobility Officer (II/III) (LtCol to Capt) and (CW05 to WO) PMOS
- 0431, Logistics/Embarkation Specialist (SSgt to Pvt) PMOS
- 0477, Expeditionary Logistics Instructor (LtCol to Capt) NMOS (0402, 3002, 1302)
- 0451, Airborne and Air Delivery Specialist (MGySgt to Pvt) PMOS
- 0471, Personnel Retrieval and Processing Specialist (SSgt to Pvt) PMOS
- 0472, Personnel Retrieval and Processing Technician (SSgt to Pvt) FMOS
- 0430, Mobility Officer (II/III) (LtCol to Capt) and (CW05 to WO) PMOS
- 0477, Expeditionary Logistics Instructor (LtCol to Capt) NMOS (0402, 3002, 1302)
- 0477, Expeditionary Logistics Instructor, (MGySgt to GySgt) NMOS (0451, 0491, 1371, 2181, 3043, 3537)
- 0481, Landing Support Specialist (SSgt to Pvt) PMOS
- 0491, Logistics/Mobility Chief (MGySgt to GySgt) PMOS
Sources/Credits: Please note that the information above was derived from and in most cases taken directly from the "Marine Officer MOS Assignment Handbook". The Basic School. Camp Barrett. March 3, 2019. All credit goes to the great staff at TBS for putting this together.
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