The Logistics Lens

What does it take to keep the joint force ready when the next conflict may be prolonged, geographically dispersed, and highly contested? In this episode of The Logistics Lens, Kevin Sampels sits down with Steve Morani, former Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Sustainment, to explore the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of military logistics. Drawing on more than fo...

Retired Marine Lieutenant General Mike Dana joins Logistics Lens for a wide-ranging conversation about the past, present, and future of military logistics. Drawing on decades of operational experience and deployments around the world, Dana discusses the lessons he learned as a tank officer, logistics commander, and senior Marine Corps leader. The conversation explores the growing complexity and lo...

In Episode 26, Kevin Sampels sits down with retired Lieutenant General Leo Kosinski, currently Chief Strategy Officer and General Manager at ASI. In his role, Kosinski leads the company’s strategic efforts in Japan and across the broader Indo-Pacific, leveraging more than three decades of senior leadership experience in defense integration, regional security, and the U.S.–Japan alliance. In this c...

Four conversations examining how government, industry, and the sustainment community are working together to strengthen America’s defense industrial base, from supply-chain resilience and workforce development to critical materials and regional sustainment.    Jeffrey Frankston — Industrial Base Resilience Kevin Sampels speaks with Jeffrey Frankston, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for In...

As space becomes the next operational domain, logistics is rapidly emerging as the critical enabler of both national security and commercial growth. In this episode of The Logistics Lens , Kevin sits down with Adam Merchant, Chief Revenue Officer at LEAP, to explore how space logistics is evolving from concept to capability. Adam explains why logistics in space extends far beyond launching rockets...

Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Jay Silveria shares lessons from a remarkable career that spans fighter pilot, combat commander, Superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy, and now President of the University of Arkansas System. He discusses how his leadership philosophy evolved from solving problems to building systems that solve problems, why strategic thinking separates exceptional leaders, how artificial in...

Former Commander of United States Transportation Command, General (Ret.) Jacqueline Van Ovost joins The Logistics Lens for an in-depth discussion on leadership, innovation, contested logistics, and the future of military transportation. General Van Ovost reflects on her remarkable 36-year Air Force career—from growing up in an aviation family and graduating from the United States Air Force Academy...

After 38 years in uniform, Lieutenant General Stephen Sklenka joins The Logistics Lens for a candid conversation reflecting on a remarkable Marine Corps career and the future of military logistics. From Panama, Desert Storm, Somalia, Iraq, and Afghanistan to serving as Deputy Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and Deputy Commandant for Installations and Logistics, Lt. Gen. Sklenka shares lesso...

In this episode of The Logistics Lens , Vice Admiral Dion English, Director of Logistics (J-4) for the Joint Staff, discusses the evolving role of logistics in modern warfare and national security. What was once viewed primarily as an enabling function is now recognized as a core warfighting capability. English explains how contested logistics, cyber threats, industrial base resilience, and artifi...

In this episode of The Logistics Lens , host Kevin Sampels sits down with Giovanni Tuck (“GI” Tuck) for a wide-ranging discussion on leadership, military logistics, innovation, and the future of defense sustainment. General Tuck reflects on his unlikely path into the Air Force after initially planning a civilian tech career with Motorola, and how a spontaneous ROTC visit changed the trajectory of...

Discover the extraordinary career of Michael Morell, former Deputy and Acting Director of the CIA, as he shares behind-the-scenes stories about leadership during critical moments, the importance of logistics in intelligence operations, and the evolving threats posed by China and cyber warfare. This conversation offers valuable perspectives on national security, crisis management, and the importanc...

In this episode of The Logistics Lens , Kevin Sampels sits down with Brigadier General Michael Zuhlsdorf, Director of Logistics, Engineering, and Force Protection for Pacific Air Forces (PACAF A4). From his beginnings as an enlisted Airman to shaping strategy inside the Pentagon and now executing it across the Indo-Pacific, Zuhlsdorf offers a rare end-to-end perspective on military logistics. The...

In this episode, Leigh Method , Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Sustainment, joins the show to discuss how the Department of Defense is rethinking logistics for a more sustainable, resilient, and technology-driven future. From forward-based sustainment with allies to enterprise-wide supply chain risk management, she shares how new frameworks and tools are improving readiness and re...

In this episode, Kirk Spangenberg reflects on his Marine Corps career, from ROTC commissioning to commanding Marine Depot Maintenance Command. He shares how early combat experiences in Iraq shaped his leadership philosophy—particularly the need to innovate when standard playbooks fall short. Throughout his career, Spangenberg navigated logistics from the tactical to strategic level, including glob...

Summary: In this episode, Brigadier General Max Stitzer reflects on his nearly 40-year career in the Air Force, beginning as an enlisted airman in 1984 and rising to senior leadership. He shares how what started as a six-year commitment turned into four decades of service driven by his passion for the mission and the people around him. Stitzer walks through his early roles in intelligence and comm...

In this episode of Logistics Lens, Kevin Sampels sits down with General (Ret.) Jim Slife, former Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force and a career special operations leader, to explore the critical... and often misunderstood...relationship between operations and logistics. Drawing on 36 years of service, General Slife shares how his perspective evolved from tactical pilot to institutional lea...

In this episode, Patrick Kelleher, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Material Readiness, discusses the evolving role of logistics in modern warfare and national security. Drawing on decades of military leadership—including commanding battalions in Fallujah and contributing to Operation Warp Speed—Kelleher explains how the Department of Defense is modernizing sustainment across weapon syste...

Watch Episode Here: https://www.youtube.com/@The-Logistics-Lens Summary In this episode, Kevin Sampels interviews RADM (Ret.) Doug Noble on his journey from Navy logistics officer to defense industry leader at KPMG. Drawing from his experience with the Defense Logistics Agency DLA, Doug shares how military logistics lessons apply to today’s complex supply chain challenges. The conversation explore...

Watch Here: https://www.youtube.com/@The-Logistics-Lens How does the military move everything - from fuel and food to advanced systems - across the globe, often under pressure and in contested environments? In this episode of Logistics Lens , we sit down with Vice Admiral (Ret.) Mark Harnitchek, former Director of the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), to explore the critical role logistics plays in...

Watch Here: https://www.youtube.com/@The-Logistics-Lens In this episode of Logistics Lens, Kevin Sampels sits down with Alan F. Estevez, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Logistics and Materiel Readiness and former Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security. From starting as a GS-5 intern to shaping national policy, Estevez shares lessons on why logistics is central to military...

Watch this Episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@the-logistics-lens?si=x1MYDXGSK-QFVqOl Summary: In this episode of Logistics Lens, Lieutenant General (Ret.) John Sullivan shares insights from decades of experience leading complex military logistics operations. From mentorship and leadership development to managing high-pressure decisions in global operations, Sullivan reflects on the lessons t...

Watch this episode on YouTube Summary In this conversation, Vice Admiral Andy Kyte discusses his extensive career in logistics within the UK Ministry of Defense, emphasizing the importance of relationship building, modernization, and the integration of AI in logistics. He shares insights on balancing work and personal life, his responsibilities as Chief of Defense Logistics and Support, and the ne...

Watch the Interviews Here: https://www.youtube.com/@The-Logistics-Lens Summary In this episode of Logistics Lens, Kevin Sampels interviews retired Lieutenant General Tom Miller, discussing his extensive career in the Air Force, insights on leadership, the importance of technology in logistics, and the misconceptions surrounding the logistics community. The conversation highlights the significance...

WATCH: www.youtube.com/@The-Logistics-Lens Summary In this episode, Lieutenant General Mark T. Simerly discusses the evolving mission of the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) in the context of national security and modern warfare. He emphasizes the importance of logistics as a strategic priority, the impact of COVID-19 on public awareness of logistics, and the role of technology and data in enhancing...

Logistics Is Operations: Developing Leaders for a Joint, Data-Driven Force with Lieutenant General (Ret.) Mark Faulkner, President of the Institute for Defense and Business  Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/@The-Logistics-Lens In this episode of Logistics Lens , Kevin Sampels sits down with Lieutenant General (Ret.) Mark Faulkner to explore how leadership, education, and collaboration shape the...