Is Getting There Half the Battle? Considerations for Deployment of Forces
Abstract
This monograph examines the challenges of deploying forces for contingencies around the world. The National Military Policy is evolving as the Defense Department budget steadily shrinks. As the drawdown of forces continues, our forward presence and forward deployed forces will dwindle. A CONUS based Army will necessitate increased emphasis on our ability to deploy forces. Three historical deployment examples are examined in this study. The first is the 1940 German invasion of Norway. The other two involve U.S. forces: the 1958 deployment to Lebanon and Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Historical examples, coupled with U.S. deployment capabilities, provide some significant lessons learned used to formulate implications for deployment. The author concludes that there are three major areas that need attention as our Army goes into the transitionary times of the 1990's. The need for adequate strategic lift can no longer be ignored. We are not prepared to deploy heavy forces with the strategic lift currently in the inventory. The past policy of prepositioning will not make up the lift shortfall, given the multi-polar world we live in. Army officers should be encouraged to seek joint duty because of our need to have officers who understand Air Force and Navy missions and capabilities, not to satisfy the requirements of a law. Forward presence will decrease as our Army recedes into CONUS. However, we need to present as many opportunities to our officers for overseas duty as possible. The importance of maintaining an officer corps that understands other parts of the world is crucial for deployment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 15, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA253445
Entities
People
- Mark A. Bellini
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College