Security Force Assistance Brigades: A Permanent Force for Regional Engagement and Building Operational Depth
Abstract
Today's Army is fiscally constrained, and is being asked to do more with less to meet the demands of a complex global environment ranging from conventional threats such as Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran, as well as facing unconventional threats as posed by non-state actors like ISIS. To meet these demands, the Army is creating six regionally aligned Security Force Assistance Brigades (SFABs) to provide Combatant Commanders additional flexibility and forces to counter emerging threats. This monograph argues that these SFABs offer several benefits. These six brigades will allow the Army to increase its depth by having additional assets with which to conduct host-nation advising, in order to shape the environment and deter potential threats. Additionally, the creation of these brigades will allow the Army's fifty-six Brigade Combat Teams to focus on conventional operations, maintaining the military's flexibility to respond to full-scale conflict. Finally, these brigades will have the capacity to expand into BCTs in the case of major or multiple conflicts when the Army needs additional combat forces quickly. If the Army can mitigate the risk involved with creating and employing these brigades, it can better meet its vision to prevent, shape, and win our nation's wars in the near future.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 25, 2017
- Accession Number
- AD1038998
Entities
People
- David W. Griffith
Organizations
- School of Advanced Military Studies