How to run a revolutionary armies supply chain, by Capt

[FUCK THE POLICE]

Kane - Today 04:39 PM Report
Ok, supply trains. It's a pretty long subject, and not something one learns easily. The easiest way to get even a modicum of experience is to organize something small. A weekend camping trip with you and a few other people. Use as little help as possible. You'll figure out how hard it is to coordinate all sorts of things. But I'll give you my pocket guide to logistics...

Step one: What do you need?
The revolutionary army (that is strictly imaginary and in no way real whatsoever, and even if it were it would enver advocate overthrowing any government ever anywhere) has 5 basic supply needs, listed in order of need:
1. Arms/ammunition
2. Water
3. Food
4. Medical supplies
5. Misc/other.

I'll go into detail about each of these and why they occupy the spot they do....

Kane - Today 04:48 PM Report
First is arms/ammunition. These are essential because without them, your ability to procure other supplies, as well as fight, absolutely depends on having arms and ammunition. As for how much you need of each, there is a simple axiom to remember; no one has ever said "I have too much ammo". However, since a revolutionary army will not likely suffer from a embarrassment of riches, you should have at least a 3/1 ratio of combat loads per day per soldier. A combat load is dependent upon the arm being used, but in short, between 180-210 rounds of ammunition per soldier is a days combat load. So in short if you plan on ones days worth of operations, you should have at least 3 days worth of ammo. Also, ammunition is the only supply that should never be used to barter with. You may barter FOR it, but never offer it up.

Kane - Today 04:48 PM Report
Arms will likely be an ad hoc mix of privately owned ones, homemade garage guns, and those acquired from the enemy. If you're lucky enough to be supplied by another nation, then you may disregard much of this guide, as your supply problems will be greatly diminished. Anyways, due to the ad hoc nature, your ammunition will also be ad hoc. So in short, NEVER turn down any. Same goes for arms. If it can shoot, it's good enough for your army.

Kane - Today 04:51 PM Report
On to water. Water isn't in the same group as food because even though both are highly required, water may be much more scarce and harder to come by. You can eat dogs and rats if your food is cut off, but water is not so available. Also the storage and use of water preclude it from being in the same category as food. Always have at least 2 different sources of water, so that your supply may not be so easily cut. As for how much you need, a minimum of 3 gallons per person per day is what you should aim for, with up to 20 gallons per person per day being ideal. It's likely you won't achieve the ideal, but you should always strive for it if possible (this applies to all other supply categories as well).

Kane - Today 04:55 PM Report
Food is much more easily found, but still very essential. Long days of fighting can wear men down quickly, and hunger is very demoralizing. You want MOST of your food to consist of grains and cereals, heavy starches and such. Meat is also important for the fat content, and the moral boost it gives to most armies (may seem trivial, but steak night once a month will keep more men than you think). Also try and keep a supply of vitamins on hand to supplement nutrients you may not have easy access to (iodine for one, vitamin C for another). The ratio you want to have available is 3500 calories per soldier per day available, with up to 10,000 calories per soldier per day in reserve (never give out that much, simply have it on hand if possible) Alcohol, while important, is not classified as food here.

Kane - Today 05:00 PM Report
Medical supplies: Obviously important for patching up your men, it also helps to have a healthy supply for propaganda purposes. Distributing bandages and pain killers to locals is a cheap way to gain both their support and to show (whether in truth or deceit) that you have their interests at heart. Of course many supplies are hard to come by, so you may need to resort to....less then exemplary methods of acquisition (Like raiding a hospital). There isn't a set ratio for medical supplies, but try and have your basics covered; bandages, quicklot (a coagulate), some sort of pain killer, antibiotics, condoms (ESPECIALLY if you have a coed army), needles, etc. This is my one area with little experience, so supplement what I'm saying (which you should do anyways) with other readings.

Kane - Today 05:04 PM Report
And lastly, Misc/Other: These are items that don't fit into any particular category and depend on your specific situation. Clothing, sleeping bags, toilet paper, alcohol, shovels, etc. All important in a variety of ways, but dependent upon your situation. These can be the easiest to come by, so don't be shy about getting more than you need. You can always dump it later or trade it for something better (well, hopefully. Bartering isn't always an option).

Kane - Today 05:05 PM Report
I'll move on to HOW to acquire supplies later.

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[/MSG/]

Lulz.

[Minister of Truth]