Should Army National Guard Force Structure be Based on the Federal Warfight Mission for the Emerging Home Land Security Mission?
Abstract
Historically the force structure of the Army National Guard is determined by the federal warfight mission. This concept allows for a single training base for all components including soldier, leader, and equipment training allowing for easy integration of active and reserve forces. After the September 11th attacks, a new military priority emerged; Home Land Security (HLS). Army involvement in this mission is not yet determined but could be significant. Should the National Guard be tasked with and structured for this mission? Does this HLS mission require restructuring? Are the tasks so new and different that our soldiers are unable to accomplish them as currently structured? Would restructuring eliminate all or part of the National Guard combat structure? Does the active component possess enough combat power to meet all feasible global scenarios without a strategic reserve? Can the Army, active and/or National Guard, complete this mission without restructuring? Current projections indicate that the HLS tasks do not dramatically differ from current global Army operations (OOTW, etc.). The National Guard can perform this HLS mission with the current structure serving the state during peace and the nation during war. These are general-purpose soldiers who can meet short term special purpose needs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 09, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA401865
Entities
People
- Thomas E. Schuurmans
Organizations
- United States Army War College