Building Enduring Logistics Institutions

Less than a year ago new boats were delivered to a partner nation along with associated repair parts and tools. Basic training was provided for operations, seamanship, and maintenance. Yet today all of the U.S.–provided boats are inoperable and the skills passed on through the training forgotten. The project was meant to strengthen the partner nation’s maritime security capability and its relationship with the U.S., but it now has the potential to be a liability to both. This is an all too common, but avoidable, story across the security cooperation community of practice. The U.S. can help ensure the long-term sustainment of desired capabilities by addressing partner nation institutional capacity before, during, and after a project.