Cutting Fat or Removing the Brain: Is the Divisional ADA Battalion Headquarters Necessary

摘要

As the United States attempts to adapt to the meet the changing conditions of the twenty-first century, organizational structure is an issue of heated debate. The central issue of the debate is whether or not the Army's current hierarchical structure will be effective in a twenty-first century environment. Many argue that efficiencies through technological improvement have eliminated the need for intermediate headquarters. 'Streamlining' or 'flattening' organizations has been a recent trend in and outside of the military. This monograph examines whether the divisional ADA battalion headquarters, an intermediate headquarters, is necessary to command and control divisional air defense operations in a Force XXI environment. Although the scope of this work is limited to the command and control function of the ADA battalion headquarters, it provides a framework for the evaluation of additional functions of intermediate headquarters. The monograph begins by examining the future environment in which air defense operations will occur. The Army's Force XXI operational concepts establish the foundation for future air defense operations. Alternative organizations are then explained. Alternatives include: the current organization, replacing the headquarters with an existing headquarters within the division, and eliminating the headquarters. Next, evaluation criteria which are measures of effective command and control are established. Evaluation of the alternatives is the preponderance of the work. Finally, the monograph concludes that the ADA battalion headquarters is still necessary to command and control divisional air defense operations.