The Army of Excellence: How Ready?
Abstract
The Army of Excellence (AOE) is a specific force design applied to Army units for the purpose of reducing redundant functions, robust manning, and excessive resiliency. The AOE was determined to be necessary to eliminate the hollowness that had plagued the Army as a result of an organization which had grown large in structure, but did not have the people to fill it. The hollowness was a result of a growing structure colliding with a fixed and strength. The concept of AOE as applied to the Army results in reduced combat capability in the maneuver divisions, whether heavy or light. Reduced air defense, engineer, antitank, artillery fire support, transportation, and maintenance capabilities are the result. Economies and efficiencies discovered in applying the AOE force design model also allow the creation of two more divisions called Light Infantry Divisions (LID). These LIDS have even less conventional capability than the redesigned heavy divisions, and no real NBC elements at all. The AOE is dependent on high-technology equipment to achieve its expected capability with reduced manning; delays in, or fund shortages for, acquisition of this equipment have a negative effect on readiness. But the AOE is dangerously less combat effective even with the equipment. It is the design itself which has moved too far and resulted in loss of capability.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 23, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA182850
Entities
People
- John W. Wild
Organizations
- United States Army War College