Army Pre-Positioned Stocks: The Key to Our Rapid Force Projection Strategy
Abstract
Since the end of the Cold War, our Army has changed from a strategy of forward deployment to one of force projection. Force projection offers many new challenges in fulfilling our role as the world's preeminent land power, prepared to fight and win our nations wars and maintain full spectrum dominance. The success of our force projection strategy depends primarily on the speed with which combat power can be assembled at a given location. This paper will describe the Army's Pre-positioned Stocks (APS) strategy and assess its role in the Strategic Mobility Triad (SMT), recommend equipment changes to enhance the relevancy of APS, and assess potential new geographic storage sites that are more responsive to the full spectrum of contingencies. The Chief of Staff of the Army, General Shinseki, has determined that in order for the Army to maintain its relevance it must be able to rapidly maneuver strategically to be responsive to the nation's needs. In order to be responsive, the Army Vision calls for the capability to put combat forces (a Bde) on the ground anywhere in the world in 96 hours, a division in 120 hours, and five divisions in 30 days. The recommendations of this paper will attempt to offer a strategy that is complementary to key areas of this vision. Finally this paper will provide the reader with a better understanding of the APS and its role in the shaping and response pieces of our National Military Strategy.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 10, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA378024
Entities
People
- Michael G. Bettez
Organizations
- United States Army War College