Force Generation in an Immature Contingency Theater
Abstract
This monograph discusses the United States Army's force generation posture in regards to consistency operations in an immature operational theater. It seeks to determine in the Army's current force generation system is adequate to support force projection into a bare base environment. Following an overview of force generation doctrine, the study reviews the requirements of the operational commander for forces and the capabilities of the force generation system to provide them in a meaningful way. It explores the internal and external sources of forced that the operational planner can rely on when developing the campaign plan for the theater of war or theater of operation. The paper focuses its effort by developing a scenario in which Army forces are generated to conduct a contingency operation ins support of a friendly North African country threatened by a large, bellicose neighbor. The study finds that, in general, the U.S. Army force generation system can support a contingency operation in an immature theater, but that a lack of reaction time and inadequate sustainment infrastructure, and insufficient combat service support forces will retard the effort. It argues that the unlikely chance of a significant level of mobilization complicates contingency campaign planning. The paper concludes that long term military action against anything other than a benign threat will prove difficult.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 14, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA233997
Entities
People
- Quentin W. Schillare
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College