06 March 2019

Changes afoot for US Army's organisational structure, forward basing

by Ashley Roque

US Army leaders are drawing up plans to overhaul the service’s organisational structure and questioning if more forces need to be forward based to rapidly respond to a potential violent conflict with Russia or China.

During a 4 March Center for a New American Security event, Lieutenant General Eric Wesley, the deputy commanding general for futures and concepts at the Futures Command, broadly discussed modernisation plans and force structure challenges associated with pivoting away from counter-insurgency operations to ones against peer competitors.

US soldiers participate in a live-fire training at Bemowo Piskie training area, Poland, in January. The exercise is intended to strengthen relationships among the allied nations and enhance combat readiness. As the US prepares for large-scale conflicts with China and Russia, its army is preparing to overhaul its organisational structure. (US Army)

“In large-scale ground combat operations, particularly one in the future operating environment, it’s going to require echelons above brigade, all of which will solve unique and distinct problems that a given BCT [brigade combat team] can’t solve by itself,” Lt Gen Wesley said. “So, you’ll see us seek to build out echelons above brigade, the division, the corps, even potentially a field army in given theatre, that can manage these theatre problems that otherwise wouldn’t be achieved.”

The three-star general noted that some of these organisational realignment decisions could pose a “bigger problem” than defining the material requirements needed to compete against Russia and China. For example, the service may need to shift the composition of its active-duty, national guard, and reserve components “so that we have the ability to have a force posture that can rapidly transition”.

Questions over forward basing will also emerge within Washington and with key allies and partner countries.

US Army leaders are drawing up plans to overhaul the service’s organisational structure and question...

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