Force Structure. Projected Requirements for Some Army Forces Not Well Established
Abstract
The National Military Strategy calls for U.S. forces to fight and win two nearly simultaneous major-theater wars. The biennial Total Army Analysis is the Army's process for determining the forces needed to execute this strategy. This process involves first determining the number and type of forces needed, comparing this requirement with the Army's present force structure, and finally reallocating forces to minimize the risks associated with any identified shortfalls. The analysis focuses on the Army's future needs. For example, Total Army Analysis 2007, which was completed in fiscal year 2000, projects requirements for fiscal year 2007 and identifies any shortfalls that would exist if authorized personnel levels remain the same. Previous versions of the analysis focused on determining the forces needed for the two-war scenario. However, the current version, Total Army Analysis 2007, is more comprehensive because it assesses, for the first time, all the military forces, civilian personnel, and contractors needed to meet all of the Army's requirements - not just those military units that would actually deploy to the war efforts.2 In addition to determining the war-fighting units, Total Army Analysis 2007 determines the forces committed to small-scale contingency operations by treaty; those forces needed as Strategic Reserves or for Homeland Defense and Domestic Support; and all U.S.-based and overseas-based military and civilian personnel required to organize, train, equip, and maintain Army forces. (These latter forces are referred to as Base Generating Forces and Base Engagement Forces, respectively, and as "institutional forces" collectively.) After determining these requirements, Army officials then reallocate currently authorized personnel to fill these requirements in ways that they believe will minimize war-fighting risks.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA390335
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office