Final answer:
Before assigning logistic endurance and logistic investment, a commander must consider mission objectives, troop capabilities, distance, intelligence, coordination, and social-structural dynamics of the force. Factors like forced marches leading to troop exhaustion and loss of leaders, as well as separation beyond 100 LI diminishing mutual support capabilities, should influence these decisions.
Step-by-step explanation:
A commander must carefully consider several factors before assigning logistic endurance (LE) and logistic investment (LI). The primary considerations should be the objectives of the mission, the capabilities of the troops, the distance to be covered, and the intelligence gathered on the enemy forces and terrain. For instance, if a commander orders their troops to cover a large distance at pace, such as a hundred LI, without sufficient rest, this may lead to the leaders of all divisions being captured by the enemy due to fatigue and decreased combat effectiveness, as suggested in the reference given. Moreover, a forced march of fifty LI could result in losing the leader of the first division and only half of the force reaching the intended destination.
Furthermore, the communication and coordination between different parts of your force are critical. If divisions of an army are separated by significant distances, with the furthest parts being under a hundred LI apart, the ability to provide mutual support diminishes, making the army vulnerable to attack. This lack of coordination could be detrimental to the operation and should be taken into account before deciding on the allocation of LE and LI.
In terms of intelligence, knowing the enemy's key personnel such as aides-de-camp, sentries, and door-keepers can provide a tactical advantage, and this information should influence LE and LI assignments. Lastly, historical practices regarding the composition of units, such as the hesitance in promoting black officers within black battalions, signal the importance of considering the social and structural dynamics of the military force when planning and assigning responsibilities.