A Dying Breed: The United States Cavalry in Today's Army
Abstract
This monograph examines how the U.S. Army's recent changes in organization, doctrine, and technology have directly impacted the role of the cavalry in today's operating environment. Since the initial establishment of the force during the American Revolution, the U.S. Cavalry has transformed more than any other organization. Performing miraculously at the unique and necessary function they were designed for. Given the recent changes in the Army's doctrine, organization, and advance in technology, does the United States Cavalry still perform a unique and necessary function in today's Army? Section One focuses on the "unique and necessary" function of the U.S. Cavalry. Dating all the way back to their establishment and bringing the reader up through Operation Iraqi Freedom, this monograph describes what unique and necessary function the cavalry was designed for during each respective conflict. Section Two focuses on the two main conflicts that led to the most dramatic changes to the cavalry, World War II and Operation Desert Storm. World War II was significant because the end result was a complete mechanization of the cavalry force. Operation Desert Storm was significant because it was the validation of the Armored Cavalry Regiment and its new doctrine. These two conflicts not only depict what the major impacts were, but also describes how well the cavalry performed their unique and necessary functions during that time frame. Section Three analyzes the changes that have occurred over the years to bring the cavalry's role into question. This section explains how current Army organization, doctrine, and technological advances have directly changed the cavalry's role in today's Army. Finally, concluding that the cavalry no longer performs a unique and necessary function, this monograph recommends how the Army should approach the employment of the cavalry in future conflicts.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 31, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA589560
Entities
People
- Vincent A. Thomas
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College