Command, Control, and Supply: Integrating C2 Theory into Military Supply Chain Resilience Models — Lessons for Romania and NATO’s Eastern Flank

This paper examines the relationship between Command and Control (C2) theory, the exercise of authority in military operations and Supply Chain Resilience (SCRes), the ability to recover from disruptions, within a military logistics framework, focused on Romania’s strategic position on NATO’s Eastern Flank. A systematic documentary analysis of four comparative cases was conducted: Enhanced Forward Presence (eFP), NATO Exercise Steadfast Defender 2024, the ongoing Ukraine conflict, and Romania’s integration into NATO collective logistics processes. C2 functions were mapped to the four SCRes phases: readiness, response, recovery, and growth. Results indicate that rapid decentralized decision-making and flexible resource allocation are primary antecedents to disruption recovery in military contexts. An integrated C2-SCRes framework is proposed, identifying research gaps in C2 digitalization, strategic stockpiling, and LOGFAS command integration.