Major overhaul eyed for Army

Washington Times ^ | 2/03/04 | Rowan Scarborough

[kattracks]

A U.S. Army that for decades has fought in brigades and battalions is taking on new-age terms such as "units of action" and "modules."

The new terminology is the brainchild of Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker, the once-retired former "snake-eating" commando who was reactivated last summer by Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld to remake the Army, from tail to tooth.

[arjay]

Oh no! Somebody is thinking outside the box. What will we ever do?

[VaBthang4]

Sounds like little Marine Corps Batallions.

We been doing it for decades now...plus add in our reorientation for urban combat over the last decade and the Corps provides a nice little example for the army to follow.

Semper Fi

[glorgau]

In all, Gen. Schoomaker is taking the 10-division Army from 33 to 48 combat brigades.

More teeth, less tail. A good thing. As it stands, there are few forces in the world that can stand face to face with an American heavy brigade.

[SkyPilot]

I have been hearing about this "overhaul" for 14 years. Buzz phrases such as "light and lethal", "new Army", and "rapid reaction" have been touted in the halls of the Pentagon with animated nods for over a decade.

The Army still purchases the same heavy equipment in the POM.

[Cogadh na Sith]

This is the right thing. I like every single one of his points.

[Restorer]

•"America underfunds its military,"

Well, we do spend as much as the next 15 or 20 countries combined. :)

[Squantos]

Gonna take a bit more of a read on my part but I'll trust your opinion on this . Agree on the platoon leaders vs the 2 and 3 stars being able to think on their feet.....

Hope yer well Chookter !

[Cannoneer No. 4]

ping

[Cannoneer No. 4]

ping

[SAMWolf]

Sounds like the German KampfGruppen of WWII.

[T-Bird45]

Thanks for the ping #4 and BTTT back at ya!!!

This is an interesting development and appears to move strongly away from some well-entrenched concepts on Direct Support and General Support for maintenance-type units, as well as FA. Hope the zoomies are up to the fire support challenge because a lot of grunts' rears are on the line.

[Sodbuster]

Seems like this (more smaller units) would help out the deployment schedule, allowing troops to get rest (come home) regularly. Maybe not. Just speculating.

[neverdem]

IIRC, the Army reconsidered divisional organization in the 1950s and 60s with a pentomic division, ROAD, etc. I hope they recall some geezers who remember those experiments, and why they should proceed with caution taking note of tactical and technolical advances.

[neverdem]

technolical = technological

[dinok]

There is always a new General with new ideas. Back in the late 50's they had the Pentamic system, the the ROAD division. Eventually the divisions grew to enormous size. By the time one division gets in the field it had 20+ thousand soldiers and almost as many for support. This was the size of the average corps during the 40's. They need to go back to divisions of 12,000 maximum. They are easier to deploy and to manage by a 2 star general with his staff. This new combat team style is not realy new. Its been tried before, but the officers of the support services wanted units to command, not to be the flunkies of the combat commanders. So we had the MP battalions and the engeneer battalions and on and on attached to the divisions. The Brigade combat team concept, which includes all subunits is a good idea. But my biggest concern is that they will abandon the heavy equipment for the light wheeled vehicles. While wheels may be ok in a low intencity conflict, the punch of the heavy combat teams is needed. Ask the guys who were deployed with out tank support in Mogadishu. I remember Admiral Crow talking just like Rumsfeld about how tanks were hard to transport in aircraft or too expensive. That talk ended after Mogadishu. Now its back again...Lets reorganise, but not go off the reservation fo common sense.

[archy]

IIRC, the Army reconsidered divisional organization in the 1950s and 60s with a pentomic division, ROAD, etc. I hope they recall some geezers who remember those experiments, and why they should proceed with caution taking note of tactical and technolical advances.

Just a bit before my time; and if I'm ever recalled to active duty, it'll because we've decided to reopen the now-closed basic training/AIT/OSUT training centers and staff them with enough prior service inactive reserve NCOs to churn out 100,000 recruits within 180 days and up to a million within a year. Under no circumstances I can think of could that be considered a desirable situation , but I can concede that it may be desperately necessary.

-archy-/-

[archy]

Sounds like the German KampfGruppen of WWII.

With combined arms force multipliers, direct tactical air-ground support, or so we're promised, and hopefully VERY improved logistics, maintenance support and communications/C-cubed.

[SAMWolf]

All the modern enhancements :-)

[archy]

Grab the guidon, lad, and we'll do our duty for the honour of our, um, module....Chaaaaarge!