RSOI and the IBCT - Relevancy in Future Deployment Operations
Abstract
In October 1999, General Eric K. Shinseki, Chief of Staff of the Army (CSA), announced the establishment of an interim force, known as the Interim Brigade Combat Team (IBCT), to fill a perceived void in force capability and strategic responsiveness. The expectation of the IBCT is that it is totally air deployable anywhere in the world within 96-hours of the first aircraft taking off. The IBCT Operations and Organization (O&O) design postulates the IBCT to employ immediately upon arrival. This is accomplished using several innovations in technology as well as conceptual. These new expectations demand a serious look at the method of deployment for the unit and the deployment system in total. In order for the IBCT to employ upon arrival it must deploy in combat configuration. Historically, units divide into deployable pieces, to maximize the limited strategic lift assets, and reconfigure in the theater of operations. Examining the deployment process to understand the complete system and then focus specifically on the last leg of the four-legged process port-to-foxhole. Port-to-foxhole, also known as Reception, Staging, Onward Movement and Integration (RSOI), is the process to piece together the deploying pieces into combat effective units. RSOI takes from three to nine days depending on the theater and size unit. The question is whether the new IBCT innovations can eliminate all or part of RSOI. In an attempt to answer the question, this monograph analyzes RSOI functions and how the affects of the IBCT innovations. Finally, it summarizes the previous analysis and presents several recommendations for the logistical community's consideration.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA393834
Entities
People
- Christopher D. Croft
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College