What Army warfighting function involves the management of resources and logistical support?

The correct response focuses on the sustainment warfighting function, which is critical for the effective management of resources and logistical support within Army operations. Sustainment encompasses a wide range of activities that ensure that forces are properly equipped and supplied to carry out their missions. This includes logistics management, supply chain operations, maintenance of equipment, transportation, and personnel services, all crucial for maintaining operational effectiveness and readiness.

Understanding sustainment is essential, as it directly impacts the ability of units to perform their tasks in any operational environment. Without robust sustainment, forces could quickly find themselves hindered by inadequate supplies, delayed maintenance, and an inability to effectively integrate different elements of warfare.

In contrast to this, the other functions mentioned—protection, fires, and movement and maneuver—while important, do not center specifically on the management of resources in the manner that sustainment does. Protection focuses on safeguarding soldiers and equipment, fires relate to the use of weapon systems to produce effects on enemy forces, and movement and maneuver concern the physical movement of forces to achieve operational objectives. Each of these functions plays a vital role in military operations, but only sustainment addresses the comprehensive logistical needs that enable all other functions to operate effectively.