Engineer Force Structure within the HBCT

Abstract

The purpose of this monograph is to analyze the Heavy Brigade Combat Team's (HBCT) engineer force structure to answer the following question: Does the HBCT have the necessary embedded engineer capabilities to conduct full-spectrum operations, rapidly transitioning between stability and major combat operations? The Army constructed the HBCT, one of the Army's primary tactical warfighting systems, for optimization in open and mixed terrain against conventional and irregular threats. However, its embedded engineer forces have been reduced from a battalion to a single company. One engineer company simply does not provide the capabilities required for the HBCT to execute full-spectrum operations. Consequently, the HBCT must rely on engineer augmentation from the engineer force pool to execute specific operations. Systems theory and systemic perspectives provide valuable insight into the interrelationship of the HBCT's embedded units. If one of the interrelated variables is unable to perform its battlefield functions, then the HBCT as a whole is unable to perform its battlefield functions. Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and Iraqi Freedom provide valuable insight into the importance of embedding engineer capabilities in conducting combat operations. The HBCT's reliance on external engineer forces has created several issues and areas of concern. Interviews with senior engineer commanders further highlight the Engineer Regiment's concerns with the BCT force structure. Recommendations include the following: (1) re-establishing the HBCT's engineer battalion, (2) re-establishing the HBCT engineer battalion command structure, and/or (3) establishing two HBCT engineer companies. These recommendations will help improve the HBCT's embedded engineer capabilities and transform it into a tactical warfighting system that is optimized for high-intensity operations in open and mixed terrain against conventional and irregular threats.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 2009
Accession Number
ADA506402

Entities

People

  • Don A. Nestor Jr.

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Counter WMD
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Asymmetric Warfare
  • Combat Areas
  • Combat Operations
  • Command And Control
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Doctrine
  • Employment
  • Engineers
  • Lessons Learned
  • Military Operations
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Science
  • National Security
  • Personnel Management
  • Students
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Fields of Study

  • Engineering

Readers

  • Facility/Structural Engineering.
  • Game Theory.
  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.