The Appropriate General Purpose Force (GPF) Capability Mix of the US Army 2016-2020

Abstract

The future operating environment in the 2016-2020 time frame demands that the army adjust, by Warfighting function, the active Army's General Purpose Forces (GPF) capabilities mix to properly counter threats and weigh US Army efforts. The 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review outlined the active US Army Force Structure for fiscal years 2011-2015 as 4 Corps and 10 Division Headquarters, 45 BCTs (20 IBCTs, 8 SBCTs, and 17 HBCTs ), 15 PATRIOT Battalions, and 7 THAAD batteries. This force mix was determined as adequate to counter security challenges and threats in the 2011-2015 time frame. Further thought and plans must be developed and approved in order to develop, transform, and prepare the force for 2015 and beyond. This paper outlines the modular Army's current structure, planned adjustments in the 2011-2015 time frame, how the Army envisions the future, and recommended adjustments by Warfighting function for 2016~2020. Army leaders must adjust the 2016-2020 active force structure capabilities to address emerging threats in the cyber domain, refine requirements in support of wide area security while rebuilding core proficiencies in combined arms maneuver. With financial realities and planned force reductions in mind, this can be accomplished by: converting two Infantry Brigade Combat Teams (IBCTs) to Stryker Brigade Combat Teams (SBCT), modernizing but maintaining current Field Artillery force structure, adjusting Intelligence organizations and staffs to counter cyber threats, maintaining and modernizing Protection efforts, specifically Air and Missile Defense (AMD), conducting a small reduction in Sustainment forces, and, finally, maintaining current numbered Headquarters at Corps and Division levels to adequately conduct mission command (formerly known as command and control).

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 21, 2011
Accession Number
ADA600279

Entities

People

  • James C Bird

Organizations

  • Marine Corps University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Cyber
  • Human Systems
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Afghanistan Conflict
  • Air Defense
  • Area Security
  • Artillery
  • Combat Operations
  • Command And Control
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Cost Reductions
  • Department Of Defense
  • Information Operations
  • Iraqi-War
  • Military Science
  • National Security
  • Unified Combatant Commands
  • United States
  • United States Central Command
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.
  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.

Technology Areas

  • Cyber
  • Fully Networked C3
  • Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control