The Mission, Organization, and Functions of U.S. Army Rear Detachments and the Need for Doctrine
Abstract
Rear Detachments provided unprecedented support with mixed success for U.S. Army soldiers during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Rear Detachments have no doctrine, but they have raised an Army-wide systemic issue that requires real responses in terms of manpower, material, money, and time. Ad hoc missions were derived from past experiences and general officer guidance. The Rear Detachments had numerous specified and implied duties. Key but undefined was how to provide family support. Rear Detachment duties and family support groups were complimentary and also conflicting. As a Rear Detachment mission and an Army-wide problem, family support was the most prevalent issue raised in both primary and secondary sources. A single, cohesive doctrine would ensure success for today's and tomorrow's Army. The author recommends a Rear Detachment at separate brigade or post level. The Rear Detachment would handle deployment and redeployment and combat service support as required. Subordinate to the Rear Detachment at brigade and battalion level, Family Support Teams, organized similarly to the U.S. Navy Family Ombudsman Program, would provide full-time family support. The Family Support Teams would ensure continuous communications between families and the Army, helping reduce stress, encouraging self-sufficiency, and providing assistance when necessary.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 07, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA258293
Entities
People
- Deborah R. Godwin
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College