Army Stationing and Rotation Policy
Abstract
This report documents a briefing prepared in April 1997 by the RAND Arroyo Center for the senior leadership of the U.S. Army. The Army had requested a broad analysis to examine a possible policy change in how the Army could maintain its forward presence in Europe. Under the policy proposal that was examined, the United States would maintain as much of its forward presence in Europe as feasible by rotating units from the United States, rather than by permanently stationing those units in Europe, as has been the practice for many years. At the time of this writing, two heavy brigades were stationed in Korea, four in Germany, and the other 12 in the continental United States (CONUS). In addition, one brigade was devoted to other missions, such as deployments to the Middle East or the Balkans. The specific policy we examined would restation the four heavy brigades in Europe to CONUS. Included in the restationing would be division support units that traditionally accompany a brigade but are not organic to it. Further, a small number of nondivisional corps units could also be rotated. The policy does not involve rotating other divisional elements. It also excludes the remainder of the European theater structure at echelons above division. The basic policy we were asked to examine would maintain the same amount of forward presence in Europe-four heavy brigades' worth-through continual six-month rotations. The rotating brigades would be drawn from all heavy brigades in CONUS (both the restationed brigades and others that had previously been in CONUS). Under this plan, the two brigades in Korea would remain as before. All of the other U.S. Army heavy brigades would participate in rotations, either to Europe or the Middle East.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA416249
Entities
People
- J. M. Polich
- Thomas F. Lippiatt
- W. M. Hix
Organizations
- RAND Corporation