In World War I, Army General John J. Pershing famously remarked, “Infantry wins battles, logistics wins wars.” With over 70% of the world covered in water, ocean logistics and sealift capacity are crucial for both military and civilian operations. Despite its importance, the relationship between military and civilian shipping has been a widely debated and evolving topic. The Military Sealift Command (MSC) as we know it today was established in 1970, evolving from the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS). The MSTS itself originated from various entities that managed and coordinated shipping logistics during and after World War II. This evolution reflects the ongoing need to adapt and optimize sealift capabilities to meet ever-changing global demands.
World War II Origins
During World War II, the demand for sealift capacity surged dramatically in both the civilian and military sectors. The United States needed to transport military cargo to support operations in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. Additionally, it was crucial to support the civilian populations of allied countries and maintain trade for the U.S. economy. With ships required for numerous high-priority missions, there was a limited amount of available tonnage, leading to administrative conflicts over control and allocation of vessels.
The Challenge of Coordination
Various entities, including the Navy, the Army, the War Shipping Administration (WSA), and commercial shipping companies, managed different segments of the fleet. This lack of a unified command structure made it challenging to efficiently meet all military and civilian shipping needs.
The Role of the War Shipping Administration
Established in 1942, the WSA played a central role in coordinating the use of the U.S.
merchant marine fleet for the war effort. It had the authority to requisition privately owned commercial vessels, allocate shipping resources, manage
shipyards, and operate a large fleet of merchant ships. This civilian fleet, crewed by civilian mariners, was essential for transporting troops, equipment, and supplies worldwide.
The Navy’s Contribution
The U.S. Navy was also crucial in managing military shipping. It operated its own fleet of auxiliary and transport ships, provided escort services for merchant ship convoys, and coordinated with Allied navies and the WSA to ensure the efficient use of resources and protection of shipping routes.
The Army’s Contribution
The U.S. Army played a crucial role in shipping during World War II, primarily through its Transportation Corps, which managed the movement of troops, equipment, and supplies. The Army’s vessels were operated by civilian mariners, which is where modern CIVMARs draw their lineage. The Corps organized troop transport to various theaters and handled cargo operations at ports, ensuring efficient loading and unloading. It was also involved in the Lend-Lease program, providing military supplies to Allied nations. The Army collaborated with the War Shipping Administration and the Navy to coordinate ship allocation and convoy operations. The Army was also involved in special operations. This included planning and executing large scale amphibious landings, such as D-Day.
October 1, 1949- Military Sea Transportation Service Founded
After World War II, in 1946, Admiral Chester Nimitz and General Dwight D. Eisenhower, the respective heads of their military branches, studied the shipping issues faced during the war and sought a solution. This led to the creation of theMilitary Sea Transportation Service (MSTS) on October 1, 1949, commanded byWilliam Callaghan. MSTS unified the sealift capabilities of all military branches under one organization, streamlining logistics and improving efficiency. During the Korean War, MSTS played a critical role in transporting troops, equipment, and supplies, proving its value in supporting rapid military deployment. In the Vietnam War, MSTS continued to be indispensable, ensuring the steady flow of resources necessary for sustained military operations. This solidified the importance of an integrated military sealift command, paving the way for its eventual rebranding as the Military Sealift Command in 1970.
