THE U.S. ARMY OF THE 21st CENTURY
Momentum is slowly building toward a light "Strike" force in between the super heavy and super light forces we currently have. A concern that I have when I hear about fielding such a force is that we will create another "speciality force" that deals exceptionally well with Bosnia/Somalia type operations and then SMOKE them with deployments after deployments as the rest of the Army remains unchanged and not involved.
We favor a fundamental shift in the Army's overall force structure that provides large numbers of AIRMECHanized formations to serve in both heavy forces and Airborne-Gavin type forces as well as Airmechanized Air Assault type forces.
We don't know what the answer is but we have toyed with the idea of going back to our pre-cold war strategy of having a smaller Regular Army (RA) designed to meet immediate threats and a larger, more ready reserve component to defeat a Major Theater of War (MTW) enemy (Korea scenario).
REGULAR ARMY: (RA) (0-90days) Deploy & Fight world wide with one reinforced Corps from zero to 45 days and a second reinforced Corps in 45 to 90 days. (Defeat one mid-size conflict and Hold/delay second MTW) or (Hold delay two MTWs)
The Active Army would be structured with one Heavy Corps of two divisions (III Corps w/ 1st , and 2nd Armored Divisions), one AIRBORNE Corps of two divisions (XVIII Corps with the 101st & 82nd equipped with M113A3/4 Gavins, Wiesels, ATVs & armored HMMWVs) and one AIRMECH Corps of two divisions (I Corps w/ 1st, and 2nd, IDs) The AIRMECHanized divisions would be equipped with M113A3/4 Gavins, Wiesels, ATVs and armored HMMWVs). The AIRBORNE and AIRMECHANIZED divisions would be organized the same except the 101st and 82nd would train to airdrop their forces using USAF transports. Most of Army Aviation (70 %) would be organized into a single Aviation Corps with two Aviation Divisions ( 1st and 2nd Cavalry) . Active Army would field one Artillery Corps with two Arty Divisions (V Corps w/ 3rd and 4th FADs). Finally the Active Army would field three Logistics Divisions, one per Corps, that would contain security infantry for self protection and would perform the missions of COSCOMs, TAACOMS and all additional support requirements found outside the divisions.
NATIONAL GUARD READY RESERVE: (RR) (30-60 days) (Reinforce a mid-size conflict or Defeat two MTW enemy's one at a time)
The National Guard would be the nation's (Ready Reserve) they would all drill at the enhanced rate and be paid to attend a two nights a week night school at their home via computers to receive additional schooling /training. The National Guard would field six heavy divisions, two Airmech divisions, one Airborne division, one Aviation division, one Arty division and three logistics divisions. All would be Cadre Divisions with 10% Regular Army Officers and NCOs and combat ready in NLT 60 days. Then 30 days to transport or fall in on prepo stocks.
USAR STAND-BY RESERVE: (SR) (6 to 12 months) (Reinforce to defeat two MTW enemies or one World War III)
The USAR would be the Stand-by Reserve (SR) and be composed of 20 maneuver divisions, 5 arty divisions, 5 aviation divisions and 7 logistic divisions. Each division would have 1 % RA assigned, 30% retired RA/RR (Drilling monthly & 2 week AT) and 70% AR (Annual Reservists) who have been to basic training and AIT and drill one week a year reservists and do a interactive/computer night school a couple nights a week. These divisions would only have a few training examples of equipment and would rely on industry to produce their equipment. Units would take 6 to 12 months to gain full combat capability. Aviation/medical and other high tech units taking the longest while transportation, security units etc taking the shortest time to gain full combat capability.
USAR DRAFT RESERVE: (DR) (12-24 Months) (World War III Scenario)
This would consist of up to 50 divisions on paper with a 50-100 retired RA/RR Cadre for each division working as part time reservists that would scope out civilian facilities to be used for encampment and training.
Everything would be on paper with a plan for each division to conduct its own cohort basic training of drafted Soldiers. This would require about 200 retired officers and NCOs to fill up the cadre and undergo a 90-day train-the-trainer program based in large part on computer interactive programs. Equipment would come from industry and the camps themselves would not be ready to receive their first wave of drafted personnel for up to 90 days (Civilian contractors building Quonset type facilities, ranges, motor-pools etc. A minimum of six to nine months would be needed to train the division to full combat capability.
I would also turn over all CONUS military installations to the National Guard and have them man their garrison staffs! RA units would only be tenant units. This way the posts would have non-deployable Soldiers working on the garrison staff and the Governors would better protect the facilities from the ax of Congress.
I would also place all Soldiers on the civil service pay-scale and divorce rank from pay such that a garrison commander in Bugtussel MO. would be making GS-10 pay but have the rank of LTC. A doctor in a RA unit ready to deploy would be paid GS-14 pay but have the rank of CPT. Its like the NBA, most coaches don't make the big paychecks of blue chip players! But they are in charge. It's the economic realities of most professions. Garrison Soldiers would not make as much as much as deployable Soldiers but would have a significantly easier duty week and little time away from home.
There would be six types of Soldiers:
RA (REGULAR ARMY) Full time, 24/7/365, 100% deployable, minimum time to retirement 20 years with 40% base pay. If the soldier does an additional 10 years in the Ready Reserve (RR) then retirement is 70% base pay at thirty years. Ten additional years in the Stand-By Reserves (SR) then 60% of base pay for retirement and if 10 years in the Traditional Reserves (TR) then 50% of base pay at retirement.
GT (GARRISON TROOPS) (National Guard Only) Full time same benefits as RA but normally jobs pay 33% less per rank. Deployable outside the state only in a Presidential call up National Emergency. Mission is to run the military installations.
RR (READY RESERVE) (National Guard Only) Part-time unit assignments, at least 11/2 drill weekends per month, two week AT and at least two nights a week night school via interactive computer classes. Flight nights for aviation and other high tech specialties. A significant part time job! Housing allowance possible, i.e. bring in your rent bill and 70% pay of an HMO bill for Soldier and family. Partially retired (20 years plus) RA Soldiers may participate.
SR (STANDBY RESERVE) (USAR Only) Part-Time night school once a week via interactive computer courses, one week AT every year to refresh basic military requirements i.e. APFT, physicals, personal weapons qualification, NBC, first aid and security tactics only. No MOS training during AT. Partially retired RA/RR personnel may participate and get paid for participating in night school courses to stay current on latest doctrine.
DR (DRAFT RESERVE) (USAR Only) Registered individuals only, may provide a money incentive to receive a physical exam and MOS aptitude test annually.
FR (FULLY RETIRED) All individuals who reach 65 years of age or who have completed 30 years collectively in the RA/RR/SR. Retirement would be calculated in a 401 k format so a Soldier would receive a retirement check based on a formula on what they put in. So you could recruit a 54 year old accountant in the SR who at 65 would receive a modest check based on what he put in, probably about $150. A month for life for his contributions for 11 years in the SR.
These are just some ideas to toss around. I know we spend a great deal of time on the future of maneuver warfare, however, I feel there is a force structure issue that needs reform as well so that we can acquire the necessary human capital to man these organizations.
FEEDBACK!An Army Aviation officer writes:
"One thing that seems like it would be important is the propagation of knowledge from the Regular Army "grizzled old farts" to the Reserve and Guard units. I kind of envision a flow of personnel from Guard to Reserves to active duty, and vice versa. as the old farts reach the end of their active duty career, they move into reserve and guard units and transfer their knowledge there.
Likewise, before putting 19 year olds into a Bosnia, maybe an initial year in the Guard and then a year in Reserves (also getting some remedial/extra school perhaps) before going into active duty might be a good thing. they'd be more comfortable with the military environment, more familiar with their weapons and gear, and simply two years more mature.
However, one issue is whether the Nat'l Guard really ought to be a federal force anyways. I realize they were federalized long ago, but from the constitutional viewpoint I believe the governors should still be CinC of each Guard force. The 10th Amendment may be archaic, but it is cornerstone of the Constitution. Plus, its a resource that governors can put to good use in natural disasters etc. in which case, perhaps there needs to be 3 levels of Army service; Active duty, Ready reserve duty, and Standby reserve duty."
