Are Sustainment Brigades where Logistic Officers go to die?

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 10 Jan 2015 21:21:50 -0500

I was recently advise that I should stay away from any Sustainment Brigade. Is there any truth to this? Is it a career progression stopper?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2015 9:24 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 10 Jan 2015 21:24:51 -0500

My experience with Loggies has primarily been in combat formations, but I know the sustainment brigades are necessary as well.
As a Cavalryman, I'd prefer to see where the supplies go to (combat formations) then see how to get them there.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2015 4:28 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 16:28:03 -0500

LT,
If you review how SBs are now used (RSSB as the sole logistics enabler in Afghanistan), you'll see that SB formations are key to rounding out a logisticians atypical career. I'd say pay more attention to WHAT the job is and not WHERE the job is.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2015 7:37 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 07:37:14 -0400

"Go to die" is probably a bit off the grid. For a functional logistics (OD, QM,or TC) lieutenant, the difference between your time in an SB or BSB is directly linked to the leader development opportunities and exposure to complex problems. Both types of organizations offer similar environments and challenges. As a captain, the plethora of CPT positions outside of command does create a wait for company command, but.....command is command. As a field grade, there are plenty of key positions and opportunities, but also several majors who will have to wait a while. At the end of the day, SBs provide tactical and operational level of war exposure, where BSBs keep it at the tactical level---definitely not a place for logisticians to die. TSC HQs, on the other hand.......

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2015 11:04 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 11:04:52 -0400

Lt,
It's is always incumbent on the officer to make the position what it is. That being said, our Army's Sr. Leaders are found and grown in the BCTs, thus to recieve mentorship from them and understand how they operate that is the best place to be. However, to learn your basic craft as a Logistition, SUS BDE Is a great place to start.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2015 11:29 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 11:29:06 -0400

2LT Private RallyPoint Member, now that promotion to captain is competitive you and your peers should concern yourselves more with demonstrating the best performance possible, in whatever unit and position you find yourself, than with whatever that unit or position happens to be.

I completely agree with LTC Private RallyPoint Member's assessment; junior logistics officers should learn the dirty parts of tactical sustainment first. Sustainment brigades are the direct link between BCTs and strategic providers. The sustainment system, as it stands right now, requires SBs.

If your question is, rather, "Should a 2LT go to a Sustainment Brigade?" then I might say no. That does not, however, mean that a 2LT would be harmed by being assigned to a company within a CSSB. No 2LT should take this personally, but what would a 2LT offer to a Sustainment Brigade staff, or any other brigade staff for that matter?

Learn your trade, wherever you are, and do everything you can to excel at it. That is really the only way to avoid stopping your career progression.