The Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command was formed as the Military Traffic Management and Terminal Service in the post–World War II era. The command has a minimal organizational understanding of how military ocean terminals were structured, manned, and commanded during World War II. A historical study can help the Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, as the Army service component of the United States Transportation Command, better understand the gaps in its current terminals in the continental United States during large-scale mobilization and combat operations not seen since World War II. Of interest to the command are the locations of major World War II terminals in the continental United States, their organization, and how the Army worked with local and national elected leadership to select terminal locations. Understanding how major World War II combat units were organized for shipment and debarkation overseas at terminals in the continental United States would assist the command in preparing for the next major operation.
- Hafner, Lt. Commander Luke M., "Evaluation of Pearl Harbor Necessitates a Much-Needed Boost," AFGC thesis, 2019.
- Evaluates the modern infrastructure of an SDDC-designated strategic seaport, the Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Pearl Harbor Ocean Terminal, which was originally opened as a Naval Supply Depot in October 1942 during World War II. While focusing on Hawaii rather than the continental United States, this paper provides valuable context on how the SDDC utilizes strategic seaports to deploy combat units, such as the 25th Infantry Division, during large-scale surge operations. It explores the terminal's capacity to serve as a Seaport of Debarkation (SPOD) and highlights the complex manning structures and infrastructure required to sustain multi-operational cargo loading and debarkation.
- McDaniel, Lt. Col. Michael, "Building the Force: A Historical Look at the Elements of Successful Military Mobilization," AWC SSP, 2020.
- Explores the large-scale mobilization of U.S. Army combat units during World War II, providing insight into how forces were prepared and organized prior to their shipment overseas. Although it does not cover the specific operations of military ocean terminals, it details the rapid expansion of the U.S. Army to 89 divisions under the General Headquarters (GHQ), which controlled the continental armies and prepared them for combat. The historical study breaks down the progressive training structures, the use of initial cadres to seed readiness, and the sophisticated occupational classification systems the Army used to match draftees' civilian skills to military specialties ahead of their deployment.