Logistics Officers (LOG) perform their duties on Units and Bases throughout Australia, in Headquarters posts and in overseas localities. Their duties are diverse, and involve the support of Air Force operations and activities. As a Logistics Officer, you could find yourself responsible for the acquisition, control and support of modern and valuable equipment vital to the operation of the Air Force. You will also be responsible for the management and welfare of a group of military and civilian staff.

The primary objective of the supply system is to provide the supply support necessary to mount and sustain air operations. The resources allocated for supply support also have to be utilised efficiently and economically.

The roles and functions currently undertaken by Air Force Logistics Officers range from the tactical to the strategic level across the single Service, joint and combined arenas. Logistics Officers also utilise specialist skills (usually provided by the Air Force) in areas such as supply chain management, procurement and provisioning, project management, equipment accounting, warehousing, distribution, air movements, Squadron/Unit logistics and stock control. There is also some opportunity for employment in catering.

Typically, you will progress through a combination of jobs according to rank. Your responsibilities will be well defined, and you can expect them to increase as you gain in experience and progress in rank.

Your preferences regarding the nature and location of your posting will be considered although other factors such as Service requirements and your particular qualifications may be overriding considerations in this respect. Strong competition exists for some positions. Career progression and advancement is normally based upon a mix of Service requirements, the need for a broad experience base and an individual's preferences.

You may be employed in various working conditions, ranging from field operations in remote locations within Australia or overseas, to a standard office environment. However, during the conduct of some tasks or field deployments, you may be exposed to extremes of climate and some hazardous environments. The criticality of some logistics and operational support tasks may also necessitate you working for long periods of time at short notice.

You will be required to supervise and manage members of the ADF and foreign services, contractors, and civilians. Additionally, Logistics Officers frequently liaise with members of the ADF, foreign services, contractors, civilians and members of the general public.

Following is a brief outline of various activities for which you would be trained and then required to perform in a variety of postings. The activities are not job-specific, as many positions will require knowledge in a range of the following activities:

Inventory Management.

The inventory management function involves managing the Air Force inventory to keep weapons systems operationally ready. This ranges from the Squadron to Force Element Group level within the Air Force and the Systems Program Office activities within the Defence Materiel Organisation. The inventory management process includes:

• Establishing user requirements for spare parts and equipment needs;
• Determining the siting/placement of materiel;
• Managing and auditing inventory accounts;
• Establishing procedures for the receipt, storage, issue and disposal of equipment and supplies;
• Allocating materiel to satisfy customers' demands; and
• Establishing and specifying inventory levels for operating and reserve stockholdings.

Acquisition.

The acquisition function involves obtaining supplies and services from the private sector through direct purchase, purchase order, contract or lease. The required item may already be available or may need to be developed and manufactured. This includes everything from the local purchase function at Unit level to the capital procurement of new platforms. This process is used across multiple Defence organisations. The acquisition process includes:

• Preparation of requirements;
• Selection of sources;
• Solicitation of bids;
• Award of contracts;
• Funding;
• Claims processing;
• Performance monitoring; and
• Technical and management functions directly related to satisfying weapons system, facility and materiel resource requirements.

Contract Management.

The commercialisation of some non-deployable logistics activities has resulted in the need to develop and manage both initial and on-going support contracts. Contract management processes are similar to those of the acquisition function but the focus is on the provision of logistics supplies and services to Defence instead of the procurement of capital equipment. This function includes activities conducted in support of Air Force by Defence Support Group, and also those conducted by the Air Force in deployed locations.

Storage and Distribution.

The use of materiel as an effective component of combat support depends on the flexibility and efficiency of the distribution function. Distribution systems are employed to locate, issue and transport materiel from industry, depots and forward stores to the end-user, to recover materiel into the repair cycle and to forward equipment for disposal. The efficiency of the distribution system plays a major role in the successful deployment of combat capability and determines, to a large extent, the size of the inventory and investment needed to maintain supplies throughout the system to support the mission. This includes everything from depot level storage and distribution at the Defence National Storage and Distribution Centre at Moorebank, to Squadron Supply sections, general warehousing, and distribution. The storage and distribution function involves:

• Receiving, storing, packing and controlling inventory;
• Selecting demands; and
• Preparing and shipping materiel to satisfy customer demands.

Transportation and Movements.

The transportation and movements functions involve the process of collection, transportation and delivery of personnel and equipment. The fundamental objective of the transportation and movements function is to control and minimise the time and distance of lines of communication by the most suitable means. Movements of personnel and equipment can be effected by road, rail, air or sea. The mode selected is dependent on achieving optimum cost-effective use of all available transport systems and customer requirements. This includes everything from motor transport, Unit movements, air terminal and joint movements operations within an area of operations, to joint movements coordination functions at the higher Headquarters level. The transportation and movement function involves:

• Coordination, receipt, custody and movement of all inwards and outwards passengers and materiel through the joint movements organisation for transport by air and surface modes;
• Packaging, load planning, load construction and reporting;
• Acquisition of space on civil transport;
• Coordination of the use of ground support equipment;
• Loading and unloading of Service aircraft and the processing of all personnel and equipment;
• Coordination of air and road transport of dangerous cargo;
• Coordinating the movement of Air Force personnel and equipment with appropriate transport control agencies and operations staff;
• Activating air load teams in support of military operations, and major joint and combined Services exercises; and
• Specialist driving tasks related to logistics functions.

Logistics Deployment Planning and Preparation.

Logistics personnel are crucial to the successful deployment and subsequent support of units in the single Service, joint and combined arenas, both within Australia and offshore. The activities involved include:

• Preparing logistics deployment bids and forecasts;
• Conducting pre-deployment planning;
• Orchestrating mobilisation and deployment and re-deployment activities; and
• Performing reconstitution activities.

Catering and Messing Services.

Unit catering personnel are responsible for the provision and management of catering and messing services at selected air bases and locations within the area of operations. Uniformed catering positions at selected air bases are retained to maintain the required expertise for deployed operations.

Summary.

The day-to-day management of the logistics operations indicated above represents the tactical to operational level of the employment group. Maintenance and corporate governance of logistics operations are essential for the success of the core function. Experience in managing logistics operations is a pre-requisite for this function. Effectively, the management of the above tactical and operational activities provide the basis for the development of the skill sets required to support more complex and higher order logistics support issues.

In all of the above areas you will be responsible for the management of airmen, airwomen and civilians; they are valuable to the Air Force and will work with you in the discharge of your responsibilities. You will also be expected to participate in the effective management of your Unit, both in your professional role as a Logistics officer, and as a junior executive responsible to your Commanding Officer. Opportunities for sporting and social activities will continue, and your membership of the Officers Mess on your base will introduce you to other young officers whose interests and activities will complement yours.

Your first posting will give you a broad base of Service experience to be built upon as your job progresses. Your skills will be enhanced by exposure to different situations and different environments; your responsibilities will grow as you gain knowledge and experience so that your value to the Air Force will increase as well.

You will also be required to maintain specified fitness levels and other military skills, such as proficiency in weapons handling, to ensure you are able to be deployed.

You may expect to be posted after your initial tour, after a period of up to three years. Your next posting may be to another position at the same locality, or it may be to a more specialised position for which you will be trained by the Air Force. Opportunities will also exist for employment in Command and Air Force Headquarters appointments in areas such as capital equipment acquisitions or logistics policy. Positions outside of Australia will also become available as Logistics officers are currently serving in the United States, the United Kingdom and Malaysia.

You can normally expect postings at two to three year intervals. As well as broadening your professional stature, these provide an excellent opportunity for travel to different locations throughout Australia.

Logistics Officers (Reserve) perform diverse duties in the support of Air Force operations and activities. As a Logistics Officer, you could find yourself responsible for the acquisition, control and support of modern and valuable equipment vital to the operation of the Air Force. You will also be responsible for the management and welfare of a group of military and civilian staff.

The primary objective of the supply system is to provide the supply support necessary to mount and sustain air operations. The resources allocated for supply support also have to be utilised efficiently and economically.

The roles and functions currently undertaken by Air Force Logistics Officers range from the tactical to the strategic level across the single Service, joint and combined arenas. Logistics Officers also utilise specialist skills (usually provided by the Air Force) in areas such as supply chain management, procurement and provisioning, project management, equipment accounting, warehousing, distribution, air movements, Squadron/Unit logistics and stock control. There is also some opportunity for employment in catering.

Typically, you will progress through a combination of jobs according to rank. Your responsibilities will be well defined, and you can expect them to increase as you gain in experience and progress in rank.

You may be employed in various working conditions, ranging from field operations in remote locations within Australia or overseas, to a standard office environment. However, during the conduct of some tasks or field deployments, you may be exposed to extremes of climate and some hazardous environments. The criticality of some logistics and operational support tasks may also necessitate you working for long periods of time at short notice.

You will be required to supervise and manage members of the ADF and foreign services, contractors, and civilians. Additionally, Logistics Officers frequently liaise with members of the ADF, foreign services, contractors, civilians and members of the general public.

Following is a brief outline of various activities for which you would be trained and then required to perform in a variety of postings. The activities are not job-specific, as many positions will require knowledge in a range of the following activities:

Inventory Management.

The inventory management function involves managing the Air Force inventory to keep weapons systems operationally ready. This ranges from the Squadron to Force Element Group level within the Air Force and the Systems Program Office activities within the Defence Materiel Organisation. The inventory management process includes:

• Establishing user requirements for spare parts and equipment needs;
• Determining the siting/placement of materiel;
• Managing and auditing inventory accounts;
• Establishing procedures for the receipt, storage, issue and disposal of equipment and supplies;
• Allocating materiel to satisfy customers' demands; and
• Establishing and specifying inventory levels for operating and reserve stockholdings.

Acquisition.

The acquisition function involves obtaining supplies and services from the private sector through direct purchase, purchase order, contract or lease. The required item may already be available or may need to be developed and manufactured. This includes everything from the local purchase function at Unit level to the capital procurement of new platforms. This process is used across multiple Defence organisations. The acquisition process includes:

• Preparation of requirements;
• Selection of sources;
• Solicitation of bids;
• Award of contracts;
• Funding;
• Claims processing;
• Performance monitoring; and
• Technical and management functions directly related to satisfying weapons system, facility and materiel resource requirements.

Contract Management.

The commercialisation of some non-deployable logistics activities has resulted in the need to develop and manage both initial and on-going support contracts. Contract management processes are similar to those of the acquisition function but the focus is on the provision of logistics supplies and services to Defence instead of the procurement of capital equipment. This function includes activities conducted in support of Air Force by Defence Support Group, and also those conducted by the Air Force in deployed locations.

Storage and Distribution.

The use of materiel as an effective component of combat support depends on the flexibility and efficiency of the distribution function. Distribution systems are employed to locate, issue and transport materiel from industry, depots and forward stores to the end-user, to recover materiel into the repair cycle and to forward equipment for disposal. The efficiency of the distribution system plays a major role in the successful deployment of combat capability and determines, to a large extent, the size of the inventory and investment needed to maintain supplies throughout the system to support the mission. This includes everything from depot level storage and distribution at the Defence National Storage and Distribution Centre at Moorebank, to Squadron Supply sections, general warehousing, and distribution. The storage and distribution function involves:

• Receiving, storing, packing and controlling inventory;
• Selecting demands; and
• Preparing and shipping materiel to satisfy customer demands.

Transportation and Movements.

The transportation and movements functions involve the process of collection, transportation and delivery of personnel and equipment. The fundamental objective of the transportation and movements function is to control and minimise the time and distance of lines of communication by the most suitable means. Movements of personnel and equipment can be effected by road, rail, air or sea. The mode selected is dependent on achieving optimum cost-effective use of all available transport systems and customer requirements. This includes everything from motor transport, Unit movements, air terminal and joint movements operations within an area of operations, to joint movements coordination functions at the higher Headquarters level. The transportation and movement function involves:

• Coordination, receipt, custody and movement of all inwards and outwards passengers and materiel through the joint movements organisation for transport by air and surface modes;
• Packaging, load planning, load construction and reporting;
• Acquisition of space on civil transport;
• Coordination of the use of ground support equipment;
• Loading and unloading of Service aircraft and the processing of all personnel and equipment;
• Coordination of air and road transport of dangerous cargo;
• Coordinating the movement of Air Force personnel and equipment with appropriate transport control agencies and operations staff;
• Activating air load teams in support of military operations, and major joint and combined Services exercises; and
• Specialist driving tasks related to logistics functions.

Logistics Deployment Planning and Preparation.

Logistics personnel are crucial to the successful deployment and subsequent support of units in the single Service, joint and combined arenas, both within Australia and offshore. The activities involved include:

• Preparing logistics deployment bids and forecasts;
• Conducting pre-deployment planning;
• Orchestrating mobilisation and deployment and re-deployment activities; and
• Performing reconstitution activities.

Catering and Messing Services.

Unit catering personnel are responsible for the provision and management of catering and messing services at selected air bases and locations within the area of operations. Uniformed catering positions at selected air bases are retained to maintain the required expertise for deployed operations.

Summary.

The day-to-day management of the logistics operations indicated above represents the tactical to operational level of the employment group. Maintenance and corporate governance of logistics operations are essential for the success of the core function. Experience in managing logistics operations is a pre-requisite for this function. Effectively, the management of the above tactical and operational activities provide the basis for the development of the skill sets required to support more complex and higher order logistics support issues.

In all of the above areas you will be responsible for the management of airmen, airwomen and civilians; they are valuable to the Air Force and will work with you in the discharge of your responsibilities.

You will also be required to maintain specified fitness levels and other military skills, such as proficiency in weapons handling, to ensure you are able to be deployed.