On Light Infantry.
Abstract
The light infantry division remains a contentious force development issue to this day. Concerns have been raised over the potential return to a 'hollow army' by creating a new force design with no subsequent increase in Army end strength, sustainability of light forces on the battlefield and general war fighting capabilities. Yet the light divisions were created to better balance a force structure that was unbalanced in heavy forces that did not allow flexibility of response options to the National Command Authorities (NCA). The light division, in fact, allowed a more flexible response option by tailoring a force that was truly strategically mobile and combat capable. This paper addresses the force structure requirement for the light infantry division by exploring political rationale, strategic mobility capability, warfighting potential and the overall requirement of the Army to support national strategy with a corresponding military force structure. Keywords: Prepositioning, Rapid response, Combat ready, Armored vehicles, Training, Airborne infantry, Balanced fighting force.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA182832
Entities
People
- J. K. Kellogg Jr.
Organizations
- United States Army War College