OPTIMIZING MILITARY LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT AND ENGINEERING TO SUPPORT THE FREE NUTRITIOUS MEAL (MBG) PROGRAM: AN INTEGRATIVE STRATEGIC APPROACH TO CIVIL MILITARY LOGISTICS IN THE DEMOGRAPHIC BONUS ERA

Abstract: Background: In early 2025, the Government of Indonesia launched the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) Program to provide nutritious meals for vulnerable populations, including school-aged children, toddlers, and pregnant women across 26 provinces from Aceh to Papua. The Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) have been mobilized to support the program through the deployment of 351 Military District Commands (Kodim), 14 Main Naval Bases (Lantamal), and 41 Air Force Bases (Lanud) to facilitate the distribution of food supplies, particularly in remote and hard-to-reach areas. Purpose: This study aims to examine the strategic integration of logistics and interagency collaboration in supporting the successful implementation of the MBG Program as a long-term national investment in nutrition and human capital development. Methodology: A qualitative research design was employed, utilizing a literature-based approach with deductive analysis to explore the logistical framework and institutional coordination involved in the program's implementation. Results: The findings highlight that the primary challenge of the MBG Program lies in establishing an effective and sustainable supply chain management system at a national scale. Ensuring the equitable distribution of nutritious meals to tens of millions of beneficiaries requires a logistics infrastructure that is integrated, efficient, and resilient. Key issues identified include inadequate infrastructure, complex archipelagic geography, limitations in local supply chains, and fragmented inter-agency coordination. Implications: Addressing these challenges necessitates the development of professional human resources and organizational structures capable of managing the program efficiently. Strengthened collaboration between civilian institutions (relevant ministries and local governments) and TNI logistical units is crucial to achieving operational success. Keywords: Logistics Management, Supply Chain Optimization, Nutrition Program, Military-Civil Collaboration, Public Health Policy