Abstract : As a rapidly deployable force with air, ground, naval, and amphibious components, a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) is tasked with a variety of missions and must have both the right personnel and the right equipment to accomplish them. A critical component of mission accomplishment is the MEU s ability to access equipment deemed necessary to accomplish all tasks associated with the mission. However, in many cases, the Navy s lift capacity falls short. As a result, when the MEU departs, some equipment is left behind. There are several factors that may affect what equipment ultimately ends up aboard the ship and what equipment remains behind: (1) the risk preferences of the commander; (2) expectations about the nature of the deployment; (3) guidance or direction from combatant commanders to be supported; and (4) equipment readiness and repair schedules. What is the impact of this shortfall on the MEU s ability to complete all the tasks associated with the mission? Even if the shortfalls do not prevent the MEU from accomplishing its mission, and even if the MEU may receive supplemental support from other sources, equipment shortfalls do affect mission performance and efficiency.