Revitalizing Our Guard Divisions: A Bargain by Any Standard
Abstract
Increasingly responsible missions are being assigned to Reserve Component (RC) units, while future budget constraints will create pressure for additional mission transfers. A growing share of Army combat power is vested in the RC, particularly the Army National Guard. Yet the 10 National Guard divisions possess neither the structure nor the modern equipment necessary to totally fulfill their intended battlefield roles. The Army's hodgepodge of forces, AC and RC, uses seven different division structures, yet lacks a clear focus. Since the nation cannot afford to modernize the Army National Guard divisions using the current heavy division model, an affordable alternative, based upon the requirements of likely battlefield utilization, is needed. Bringing the force to bear upon the battlefield is yet another dimension of this problem, for the Army possesses more forces than can be provided timely strategic lift. It is recommended that modernization of these divisions be viewed from a Joint perspective, so that not just equipment modernization, but also the strategic sealift and logistical sustainment issues, are addressed. It is maintained that six national Guard infantry divisions could be reequipped, six thirty-day sustainment packages purchased, and a fleet of 12 fast sealift ships built within the FY 90-94 POM period for a sum considerably less than that now earmarked for Reserve Component modernization. Keywords: Combat support, Rapid deployment forces, Economics, Strategy.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 31, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA209517
Entities
People
- John T. Von Trott
Organizations
- United States Army War College