The Contingency Army: Structured for Operational Success?
Abstract
This monograph begins by defining contingencies and the role they play in supporting national strategy and policies. A brief history of U.S. contingency operations and the reasons they are conducted is presented. The background is completed by developing the primary characteristics of contingency operations, and a discussion of what constitutes a credible contingency force. The proposed contingency army is examined through the lens of versatility, lethality, and deployability to determine the need for heavy forces. The British Army experience in the Boer War, and the American Army's experience in the Korean War are used as historical examples. The monograph concludes that the contingency army must include heavy forces to be credible. In order to conduct a wide range of missions, against all threats, and across the spectrum of conflict, the contingency army needs access to all the capabilities in the Army. To be lethal the contingency army needs heavy forces with their inherent characteristics of mobility, firepower, and survivability. To be truly deployable, these required heavy forces must be an integral part of the contingency army.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 07, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA240302
Entities
People
- Arthur W. Finehout
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College