The Seductive Effect of an Expeditionary Mindset
Abstract
The U.S. Army is in the midst of undergoing a radical transformation, adopting a "capabilities-based" and "modular-type" force structure to combat "full spectrum" conflicts for future threats. Future force structure is now designed by adopting various "expeditionary" capabilities. Many contend that mobility is now the key ingredient in transitioning to this new capabilities-based approach and that specific technologies will increase speed and allow U.S. forces to overcome anti-access/area denial challenges. This monograph contends that ground forces are most relevant during phases associated with stability and reconstruction operations and that, although the U.S. Army contributes as part of a joint, interagency, and multinational force during major combat operations, it must leverage the combat power of its sister services in this phase of conflict and focus its efforts on other phases of full-spectrum conflict. This monograph analyzes three mobility technologies that address expeditionary goals and assesses their contributions to "worse case" security issues and the "most likely" security issues. The specific technologies analyzed are the Future Combat System (FCS), the Joint Heavy Lift (JHL) Aviation program, and the Joint Mobile Offshore Base (JMOB) sea-basing program. This assessment has dramatic implications for how the U.S. Army allocates funds for air, sea, and ground mobility-enhancing technologies. Although these technologies will provide immeasurable benefits upon reaching full maturation, the author contends that their focus on speed and overcoming anti-access challenges are too centered on major combat operations. Since these technologies come with an extraordinary price tag, some portions of their funding should be invested in alternative programs more related to stability and reconstruction operations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 25, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA450036
Entities
People
- Michael J. Arnold
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College