Brigade Based Division: Saddling The Right Horse

摘要

Global instability has grown substantially following the end of the Cold War.Changes in Army doctrine, incorporating concepts like OOTW and versatility, are a reaction to this increased global instability. The shift in doctrine is driving the need for change in the U.S. Army force structure. The Army is now considering three division design alternatives: The Modernized Heavy Division, the Modular Small-Based Division, and the Brigade Based Division. The purpose of this monograph is to determine which alternative best meets future joint warfighting requirements. The Modernized Heavy Division structure reflects significant tactical flexibility. Similar to the AOE Heavy Division, because it has enough depth to accomplish a wide range of missions, it achieves versatility. The Modernized Heavy Division exceeds the requirements of the most dangerous conventional threat thereby failing to address manpower and budget limitations. The Modular Small-Based Division, with both heavy and light maneuver brigades, achieves greater versatility and modularity than the previous alternative. The heavy-light configuration obtains a better scenario balance. The Brigade Based Division structure is METT-T driven. Brigades are the force building blocks vice the division. With this design, the division becomes more of a command and control echelon. This structure provides a greater degree of versatility and modularity. It is the least flexible tactically, yet achieves the best scenario balance of the three alternatives. End-strength efficiency is enhanced in terms of flattening the organization structure. The Army should adopt the Brigade Based Division in order to better meet the joint warfighting requirements that lay ahead. The Brigade Based Division provides a more versatile modular force that is better capable of meeting the varied missions required of the Army.