Restructuring of the United States Army

I deliberately do not have subpages on this article, because the title is going to change. BCT covers only part of the US Army reorganization, and I'm checking with experts to find the more general term. Howard C. Berkowitz 18:24, 29 July 2008 (CDT)

Reflecting increases in technical capability, the U.S. Army is converting from a structure in which the division was the basic "unit of action", to a system where the unit of action is the Brigade Combat Team (BCT). Besides the core combat units, a number of combat support and combat service support are moving to a brigade structure. in which the Brigade Combat Team, rather than the division, is the basic unit capable of independent action (with suitable reinforcements).

Overall military operations will combine appropriate BCTs with five kinds of brigade-sized support organization, or detachments from them. The resulting organization may be anywhere from the size of a reinforced brigade (3,000-5,000 soldiers) to a strong corps (50,000-plus).

Four of the five new supporting brigades correspond roughly to a traditional organization, although one significantly reorganizes assets around a new concept of operations.

New unit	Capabiliies in previous units	header 3
Aviation brigade	Divisional aviation brigade	row 1, cell 3
Fires brigade	Division artillery (DIVARTY) plus some corps units	row 2, cell 3
Battlefield Surveillance Brigade	Military intelligence brigade	row 2, cell 3
Sustainment brigade	Division support command	row 2, cell 3
Combat support brigade	New grouping	row 2, cell 3

Combat BCTs

The main Army combat units are built around a core of infantry. It is not always understood that tanks need infantry support, and, a lesser extent, the reverse is true.

Existing Infantry and Armored divisions will be restructured into more flexible "modular formations" of brigade size. "This restructuring will increase the number of active-duty combat brigades from 33 to 43 or more, using a combination of new recruits and soldiers drawn from other parts of the Army."

Current infantry, however, have increasingly sophisticated weapons, command and control and sensors, and are intended to operate in combined arms operations with tanks, supported by:

• [#fires brigade|fires brigades]] in attacking the enemy
• getting help in reaching the enemy from combat support brigades
• spotting the enemy, harassing them, and pursuing them at high speed with help from aviation brigades

The three main types of BCT are:

• Infantry BCT: lightest and most easily transportable. Depending on unit training and equipment, may conduct foot-mobile, motorized, heliborne, and parachute operations
• Stryker BCT: organized around the Stryker vehicle system family of medium-weight vehicles, armored against light weapons and extremely maneuverable on the ground
• Heavy BCT: armored forces built around tank and infantry in infantry fighting vehicles.

Changes in fighting

Quite a few traditional terms, in the reorganization context, will, at the least, acquire new contexts. One of the first things to remember is that the BCT shooters are principally infantry and armor. In heavy IBCTs, there are some distinct changes.

For example, it has long been typical, in heavy units, to "cross-attach" the infantry and armor units that complement one another. The way this has been done, however, is to keep everyone in an all-mechanized-infantry or all-tank battalion, training on your particular techniques, until moving to simulated or real combat. At that point, battalions become "battalion teams" and companies become "company teams". A tank battalion, hypothetically, would become a "tank-heavy battalion team" by exchanging its "C" company with that of a mechanized infantry battalion. The tank-heavy team now has two tank companies and a mechanized infantry company, while the infantry battalion team has two infantry companies and a tank company.

That worked acceptably as long as the battalions were all in the same brigade and the swaps were all the sams units, so people got used to it. The new heavy battalions, however, start out with two tank companies, two mechanized infantry companies, and a new wrinkle: a permanently assigned combat engineer company.

Support

While there is a strong move to minimize the "tail" that follows the fighting "teeth", some forward support is still needed. Each BCT has a BSB—Brigade Support Battalion. Provides combat service support to a Brigade Combat Team.

Each BCT or Support Brigade has a Special Troops Battalion. Headquarters support troops for a BCT or support Brigade.

each combat arms battalion -- an infantry/armor/intelligence team -- has a FSC—Forward Support Company. Provides combat service support to a combat arms battalion in a Brigade Combat Team.

Changes in finding and targeting the enemy

None of the BCTs have organic manned aviation at the BCT level, although they will all have UAVs. As an aside, one of the assuptions of air assault divisions was that they had an aviation brigade that could lift one combat brigade at a time. See Aviation Brigade; that model is not necesarily broken.

All BCT types have vastly more intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and target acquisition than ever before deployed to this level; see Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition Squadron and Military Intelligence Company formations for each BCT.

Beyond the capabilities of the RSTA squadron and MI teams are the assets of the battlefield surveillance brigade, made up of forces previously under corps and army control, plus theater and national resources. The BCT intelligence units can, for example, directly receive radar images from C3I-ISR aircraft such as the E-8 Joint STARS. They have their own light- and medium-unmanned aerial vehicles for surveillance.

The BCT C3I-ISR organizations all can communicate with higher-level units, due to the much greater standardization of digital communications system, and the rethinking of what levels of classified information would be available at what level. For example, satellite imagery intelligence used to be at the TOP SECRET plus codeword level. People cleared for that codeword couldn't expose themselves to capture, so Army, Air Force, and Navy combat aviators couldn't see the pictures of what they were to attack.

Rethinking the problem pointed out that the very highest resolution pictures aren't needed for battle, but by national-level analysts trying to understand fundamental enemy capabilities. By electronically reducing the resolution in the pictures so it is quite adequate for targeting, pilots only cleared for SECRET could see pictures that could both guarantee mission success and save their lives.

Specialties of the BCTs

Abn/AASLT TBD'

Heavy BCT

20 of these are planned. Their organic maneuver force consists two battalions with two M1 Abrams tank troops, two M2 Bradley mechanized infantry companies, and an engineer company. They also have the armored cavalry/RSTA squadron and an artillery battalion with two M109 howitzer batteries.

Light BCT

20 of these are planned. Th

Their organic maneuver force consists two infantry battalions with three infantry companies and a weapons company. One engineer company is part of the headquarters battalion. They also have a cavalry/RSTA squadron 'check equipment' and an artillery battalion with two M109 howitzer batteries.

Stryker BCT

Maneuver forces are three Stryker infantry and one cavalry/RSTA battalions. There is an engineer company and a howitzer company.

Modular support brigades

The BCTs plus some functions in the support brigades shake up the traditional structure of:

• combat arms
• combat support
• combat service support

Artillery and air defense artillery have always been considered combat arms, but they are assigned to the fires brigade. Fires also had been seen as "kinetic" based on impact or blast, but "non-kinetic" effects such as electronic warfare, psychological warfare, and actions against combat computers also are seen as fires. If one thinks about the function rather than the means of accomplishment, is it not air defense if you shoot down the enemy plane, blind its targeting systems, or make its missiles ignore their guidance? The first is kinetic and the latter two are not.

Fires brigades

Fires brigades recognize that "fires" has been redefined to include "non-kinetic" means of combat, such as information operations including electronic warfare and psychological operations. These brigades are made up of a combination of former Division Artillery (DIVARTY) commands, plus various resources typically assigned to a corps headquarters.

(10-12) such brigades are planned, half active and half reserve.

There are units that engage in combat, but are not considered part of the mission either of the Fires Brigade, or the artillery organic to BCTs. Air defense (i.e., anti-air warfare) is considered part of the functions of the Combat Support Brigade, in the sense that engineer support to cross a river, intercepting or jamming missiles, and decontaminating chemicals all are prerequisites to BCTs being able to maneuver.

Some of the functions previously under DIVARTY, such as direct cannon support, moved to the BCT level. A fires brigade was more focused planning and execution for joint fire support operations. Its capabilities to affect the enemy emphasized newer systems to carry out precision-strikes, counterstrikes and shaping, which utilized lethal and non-lethal means

In the new system, the role of close fire support would fall to the artillery units assigned to the maneuver brigade combat teams. No longer was it necessary to assign an artillery battalion per brigade as well as having DIVARTY headquarters.

While the infantry brigade was classically task-organized, BCTs are more standardized. brigade headquarters, support and maintenance, a target acquisition battery and a Multiple Launch Rocket System battalion as its permanent elements.

The headquarters routinely contained a Marine officer, Air Force personnel, and sections for space command, information operations, psychological operations, civil affairs and a fires and effects cell.

Additional missile, gun, and other kinetic and nonkinetic fires units would be assigned as needed, as well as the coordination of Navy and Air Force fire support.

Aviation Brigade

Combat divisions routinely contained three infantry, or infantry-armor, brigades, with the fourth brigade being aviation. The new structure has no organic manned aviation, although they do have organic UAVs, at BCT level.

Three kinds of aviation brigade -- light, medium and heavy -- each can support up to six BCTs. There will be 11 active and 16 reserve components. Each has an Aviation Support Battalion (ASB).

Brigade type	Attack helo bns	Assault bn
Heavy	2 × 24 heavy attack	1 × 24 utility	1 × of 8 utility, 8 medium cargo, 8 medevac
Medium	1 × 30 scout/attack	1 × 30 utility	1 × of 8 utility, 8 medium cargo, 8 medevac
Light	1 x 30 heavy attack, 1 x 30 scout/attack	1 × 30 utility	1 × of 8 utility, 12 medium cargo, 12 medevac

Battlefield Surveillance Brigade

The BCTs themselves have enormously more surveillance capability than traditional combat units; some of their equipment might well have been assigned to corps or higher headquarters.

Three active and one reserve are planned. The core of these units has an intelligence battalion, and a long range scout detachment in the HHBn. Typically, they will have more task attachments than the other brigades, with SOF, aviation, and UAV.

BSBs, however, go far beyond. A BSB intelligence operations battalion combines the more technical sensors and analysis tools, including things whose scope is too wide for BCT level, or perhaps is too sensitive. The other type of BSB intelligence battalion controls controls deep probes by longer-range UAVs and by scouts trained and equipped to go deeper than brigade scouts. It also has the prisoner and refugee interrogators, but also the counterintelligence to check that the prisoners are not double agents.

• The 319th Military Intelligence Battalion (Operations) provides the XVIII Airborne Corps with direct access to national level intelligence systems, conducts all-source intelligence analysis, and provides electronic warfare support
• The 519th Military Intelligence Battalion provides long range reconnaissance and surveillance, interrogation of enemy prisoners-of-war, and counterintelligence support

Combat Support Brigade

Originally called a Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, the mission remains the same"

Provide critical maneuver support to the supported force commander, normally at division level.

A BCT cannot be effective if it cannot get to the battlefield, and the CSB groups together a set of previously dispersed functions that make the approach to the action possible. It does so without setting up a massive rear area organization more appropriate to supporting World War Two sized forces than BCTs or groups of BCTs.

3 active and 13 reserve are planned. Their core is small, with a signal and a main support battalion. It is assumed they will routinely have engineer, MP, air defense, and chemical assigned units. On a mission-specific basis, they may have EOD, civil affairs and MAN units.

The CSB (ME) provides maneuver support to an area of operations. That support consists of:

• assured mobility: the command moves when and where the commander intends, without rivers, damaged bridges or roads, etc., getting in the way.

maneuver where and when he desires, without interruption or delay, to achieve his intent.

• protection: the force and its soldiers need to be protected against air and missile attack, WMD, etc. Missions here include air defense artillery and missile defense, WMD detection and decontamination, and controlling traffic from POWs and refugees
• terrain management: keep the areas open between the BCTs and the higher headquarters.
• infrastructure development: restoration activities that

support the return of stability and security in an occupied area and prepares the way for nation building and the return of internal national control.

• rear-area operations: use of terrain and urban areas by forces not directly engaged in combat operations and allow the continuous provision of supplies and services to the committed forces.

To do this, the CSB will have units from Engineers, Military Police, Chemical, Signal, rear-area operations, and (when assigned) a tactical combat force (TCF) "This support brigade will enhance the full dimensional protection and freedom of maneuver of supported Army, joint, or multinational headquarters across the full range of military operations. During major combat operations, the brigade could oversee river crossings, protect forces and critical infrastructure, and reinforce brigade combat teams with tailored engineer, military police, air/missile defense, chemical, or other supporting capabilities."

Sustainment Brigade

At a level above Brigade, the Army is changing from "a supply-based to a distribution-based logistics system, theater distribution focuses on an end-to-end capability to deliver materiel readiness from source of supply to point of use. The cornerstone of successful theater distribution is the merging of materiel management functions with movement management functions under a theater distribution brigade", belonging to the higher headquarters (corps or other Unit of Employment).

16 regular and 19 reserve Sustainment Brigades are planned, with a core battalion with headquarters, a signal company, and personnel and finance units.

There will be two types: rear area and forward. The rear area units have battalions of a single function, such as supply, transportation, ammunition and maintenance, plus a medical group. Forward support battalions will mix the functions.

have a main body that carries out theater-level tasks, with appropriate augmentation. These Brigades also provide the rear-area services needed for the Forward Support Battalions (FSB) attached to each BCT. The FSB reports to the BCT commander, but gets support from the rear-area battalions and brigade headquarters of the SB.

Just as Fires Brigades replace the former DIVARTY, Sustainment Brigades replace Division Support Commands (DISCOM). As an example, the 1st Sustainment Brigade, formerly the support command for the 1st Infantry Division, is a headquarters over a Special Troops Battalion, as well as a Combat Sustainment Support Battalion.

The Sustainment Brigades will control both forward and regular support units. For example, The nucleus of the 782d Main Support Battalion, part of the Sustainment Brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division, coming from various battalions, made up

• a light maintenance company
• a heavy maintenance company
• supply company
• transportation company
• aerial delivery company
• calibration detachment
• graves registration detachment
• arid environment detachment

A Forward Support Battalion attaches to each BCT, and provides, at that level, administrative, finance, legal, medical, maintenance, and supply services.

Special Troops Battalion

Special Troops battalion with Transportation and Signal (i.e., communications) units

Combat Sustainment Support

The battalion is comprised of six separate units.

• Maintenance Company (which includes 95th TMDE. TMDE formerly had the functions of test, nmeasurement and calibration) and the repair of the more sensitive eqipment
• Transportation Company (which includes
  • 2nd Heavy Truck Platoon
  • 2nd Transportation Company)
• 172nd Chemical Company (Smoke)
• 774th Ordnance Company (EOD
• Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 541st CSSB. Each unit is a non-divisional asset with its own unique mission. Each of these units provides daily mission support to the installation, while maintaining a high state of readiness for deployment.

Challenges of Higher Headquarters

UE—Unit of Employment. A headquarters organization for multiple Units of Action. There are two levels of UEs:

• UEx. A 1000-person war fighting headquarters that provides battle command of up to six BCTs or joint/coalition equivalents plus Support Brigades. At least one of each type Support Brigade will be attached to a UEx when it deploys. The UEx consists of command and control assets formerly associated with division and corps headquarters.

They will have a a command group, mobile command group, a main and two tactical command posts, and a headquarters battalion with a headquarters company, security company, a signal company, 8 liaison officers.

3-star UEx—3 Active Component 2-star UEx—10 Active Component 8 National Guard

• UEy. The Joint Forces Land Component Command headquarters in a theater of operations. It is capable of exercising administrative control of all subordinate UEx and theater support commands. It consists of assets formerly associated with corps and army headquarters.

Higher headquarters remain, and are called "units of employment". These were to correspond to corps and field armies, but that has not been entirely workable. The assumption was that a numbered army was either an administrative headquarters in the U.S., or the army component (i.e., headed by a three-star officer) within a Unified Combatant Command headed by a four-star. For a time, the senior U.S. headquarters in Iraq was Multinational Corps-Iraq (MNC-I), built around a U.S. corps headquarters, but it seemed wise, especially after Abu Ghraib, to let the corps focus on operations and to create Multinational Force-Iraq headed by a four-star, still having a three-star in United States Central Command. When the commander of the NATO International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan is an American, he is also a four-star.