Security Force Assistance and the Brigade Combat Team: Recommendations for the Way Ahead
Abstract
The U.S. Army is in the process of making choices regarding how to efficiently provide a wide array of options to the U.S. President for dealing with current and future security concerns. A key issue related to this choice concerns the method used to establish and maintain a Security Force Assistance (or train, advise, and assist) capability in Army General Purpose Forces. The focus of this research is to answer the following question: Do modular Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs) and the supporting force structure have the capability to effectively cover the full spectrum of operations, specifically SFA missions, in both Phase IV (Stabilize) and Phase 0 (Shape) environments? The answer to the primary question indicates that a BCT, with augmentation, can be effective in conducting SFA missions in Phase IV (Stabilize) environments. However, unless the Army is willing to change its culture and adopt certain recommendations, significant challenges to effectively accomplishing SFA missions in Phase 0 (Shape) environments using the BCT approach are likely to be encountered.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 10, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA565248
Entities
People
- Gary A. Rosenberg
Organizations
- George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies