An Overview of Army

structure and capabilities

AR M Y F OR CE MA NA GE M E NT S C HO O L
F OR T BE LV OI R , VI R GI NI A

MAY 2012
Organization of the US Army (Army 101) Primer

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Organization of the US Army (Army 101) Primer

TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE TOPIC
4. Preface

4. Army Roles, Missions and Functions

5. Combatant Commands

6. Command and Support Relationships

7. Insignia / Rank / Pay Grades

12. Summary of Ranks and Positions

13. Organizational Designs of the Army

15. Army Force Structure

18. Unit Map Symbols

21. Branches of the Army

27. Modular Menu

28. Brigade Combat Teams (HBCT/IBCT/SBCT)

29. Support Brigades / Roles and Missions

32. Functional Support Brigades

35. Special Functional Brigades

36. Generating Force – Special Missions

37. Future Force

39. Summary

39. References

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Organization of the US Army (Army 101) Primer

PREFACE
The organization of the United States Army is founded on “mission”. The organization evolves based on
need and resources available. The structure of the Army has changed significantly since 2003 and continues
to change. That change is proceeding in a manner that will ensure a current go -to-war capability while the
Army transitions to Joint Force 2020.
This document describes the types of units and organizations within the Army and focuses on the
interrelationships and integration among all elements of the Army necessary for the Army to accomplish its
role as an element of the total military force of the United States. The Army is individuals formed into
teams. The Army is Soldiers in uniform, civilian employees, contractors, and family members. Uniformed
members of the Armed Forces are on active duty and in reserve duty status. Rese rve Component Soldiers
form our Army National Guard and Army Reserve. Our nation’s President and appointed civilian leaders
exercise authority over the Army and provide guidance and direction. Missions that the Army receives from
those officials are executed under uniformed leadership. This is AMERICA’S ARMY – a strategic land combat
force capable of delivering DECISIVE VICTORY.
Purpose and Objective: This primer serves as a basic guide to Army organizations and is a good reference
on the Organization of the United States Army. This Primer is applicable to the men and women of the
United States Army in the active component (COMPO 1), the Army National Guard (COMPO 2) and the US
Army Reserve (COMPO 3)—altogether America’s finest fighting machine.
The organization of the Army and the organizations within the Army are predicated on the ROLES
prescribed to the Army and the MISSIONS and FUNCTIONS to be carried out or executed by the
organizations within the Army. CAUTION: Army force structure for this primer is based on Fiscal Year (FY)
2012.
The U.S. Army’s primary role is to be an element of deterrence; but, should hostilities arise, the U.S.
Army will be the sustained land combat force that achieves decisive victory and maintains America’s
security. The United States National Security Strategy, for the Department of
Defense, has been modified with the distribution of the Sustaining U.S. Global
st
Leadership: Priorities for 21 Century Defense (dated January 2012) – also named
the “Defense Strategic Guidance”. The remainder of the guidance contained in
the current National Security Strategy has not changed to the other departments
and agencies. OSD/DoD guidance is being revised to ensure achievement of
national political, economic, and security goals. In response, the military force
structure of the Army is being reshaped, redeployed, realigned, and reinvented to
ensure the versatility and flexibility to accomplish a wide spectrum of missions.
This primer brings perspective to these changes. Sustaining U.S. Global
st
Leadership: Priorities for 21 Century Defense is found:
www.defense.gov/news/Defense_Strategic_Guidance.pdf

ARMY ROLES, MISSIONS AND FUNCTIONS: Army organizations execute Functions

(specific responsibilities) to provide organized, trained, and equipped land forces to perform the Army’s
Roles (as prescribed by law) as elements of DoD’s combatant commands. Missions are assigned to the
Commanders of combatant commands by the Secretary of Defense in accordance with the Unified
Command Plan (UCP) and the National Military Strategy (NMS).
The Army components of the unified combatant commands, along with Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps
elements, execute the military operations in peacetime, in periods of conflict and in war. The role of the Army is to
conduct prompt and sustained combat on land. The global social and political environment, in which that role
must be played, is shifting dramatically. No one can predict when, how or where the United States may be called
upon to project military power. To accomplish the mission of deterring conflict and winning wars, the Army must
continuously change in order to provide the most combat effective force, within available resources, for joint and
expeditionary roles.

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Organization of the US Army (Army 101) Primer

THE COMBATANT COMMANDS

INTERRELATIONSHIPS OF ARMY ORGANIZATIONS:

The Army consists of two
major portions. The first is the
Army Headquarters and those
organizations which produce
and sustain the second portion.
The deployable “OPERATING
FORCE” (OF) is assigned as Army
components to the U.S. Unified
Combatant Commands.
Examples: Army Service
Component Commands (ASCC),
Corps Headquarters, Division
Headquarters, Brigade Combat
Teams (BCT), Battalion (Bn),
Companies/Troops/Batteries,
Platoons, Squads and Teams.
The “GENERATING FORCE” (GF)
is the production and sustaining
base organizations and the Army
Headquarters. They are

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Organization of the US Army (Army 101) Primer

responsible for recruiting, training,

equipping and maintaining, organizing,
mobilizing/demobilizing and administering
those forces to be provided to the
combatant commanders. Examples: Army
Commands (ACOMs), Direct Reporting Units
(DRU) and Field Operating Agencies (FOA).

COMMAND AND SUPPORT RELATIONSHIPS

U.S. Army units operate under two types of relationships – command and support. A command
relationship reflects the chain of command and degree of authority. A support relationship represents the
manner in which the maneuver unit is to be supported.

Command Relationship: U.S. Army units can operate in one of several command
relationships:
ORGANIC: those forces assigned to and forming an essential part of an organization. Organic
parts of a unit are those listed in its table of organization for the Army. Joint command relations hips do not
include organic because a joint force commander is not responsible for the organizational structure of units.
That is a Service responsibility.
ASSIGNMENT : is the normal relationship when a parent unit directly commands its’ subordinate
units. In this case, the parent unit is responsible for all command responsibilities, personnel actions, and
logistics support.
ATTACHMENT: The parent units may attach a subordinate unit to a supported commander when
the parent unit can not/may not provide adequate logistical support or timely command decisions.
Attachment to another headquarters means that all command and logistics responsibilities are transferred
to the supported unit.
OPERATIONAL CONTROL (OPCON): is appropriate when a supported unit commander needs
task organization authority over the unit, but the parent unit must provide logistics support. When a
support relationship is established, the parent unit retains command responsibility. The unit also remains
responsible for logistics needs of the subordinate unit.
ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL (ADCON): authority over subordinate or other organizations in
respect to administration and support, including organization of Service force, control of resources and
equipment, personnel management, unit logistics, individual and unit training, readiness, mobilization, de-
mobilization, discipline, and other matters not included in the operational mission of the subordinate or
other organizations. It is a Service authority, not a joint authority.

Support Relationship:
GENERAL SUPPORT: a General support (GS) relationship is appropriate when the higher
headquarters requires central control and flexibility in employing limited assets. In this relationship,
support is to the force as a whole rather than to a particular subunit of the force.
DIRECT SUPPORT: A Direct Support (DS) relationship provides support that is directly responsive
to the needs of a specific combat, combat support or combat service support element. It is usually for a
single operation or a short period.

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Organization of the US Army (Army 101) Primer

INSIGNIA OF ARMY RANK AND PAY GRADES:

Enlisted Ranks and Grades. Below is list of the enlisted ranks with the name of the rank, abbreviation,
grade, and how to address each rank.

Private / PV1 / E-1 / "Private"

A private is the lowest rank in the Army: a trainee who’s starting basic combat training (BCT).

Private / PV2 / E-2 / "Private"

A PV2 has basically the same duties as a Private. To become a PV2, a Private must have served a
minimum of 6 months or receive a waiver from his or her commander.

Private First Class / PFC/ E-3 / "Private"

PV2s are promoted to this level after one year—or earlier by request of supervisor. An individual
can begin BCT at this level with experience or prior military training. PFC carries out orders
issued to them to the best of his/her ability. PFC's can have many duties depending on their unit
and how “squared away” of a soldier they are (uniform, education, duty performance, leadership
potential, skill proficiency, and accomplishments). In order to get promoted to Private First Class,
a PV2 must have a year in service and show great performance.

Specialist / SP4 / E-4 / "Specialist"

A SP4 can manage other enlisted soldiers of lower rank. Has served a minimum of two
years and attended a specific training class to earn this promotion. People enlisting with a
four year college degree can enter BCT as a specialist. Specialists have more duties
assigned and a lot more is expected of them, because they are on their way to becoming
Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO). A “squared away” specialist can perform some of the
tasks of a junior NCO. A PFC can become a Specialist after 2 years of service.

Corporal / CPL / E-4 / "Corporal"

The base of the NCO ranks, CPLs serve as team leader of the smallest Army units. Like
sergeants (SGTs), they are responsible for individual training, personal appearance and
cleanliness of Soldiers. Although they are on the same pay grade as specialists, corporals
have a lot more responsibilities assigned. Corporals are Junior NCOs which means that they
have the same authority to manage Soldiers as an SGT. Usually, a corporal will be in charge
of a Team of 4 – 5 Soldiers. Commanders appoint specialists to be corporals based on their
demonstrated potential to become an NCO.

Sergeant / SGT / E-5 / "Sergeant"

A Sergeant commands a squad (9 to 10 Soldiers). Considered to have the greatest impact
on Soldiers because SGTs oversee them in their daily tasks. In short, SGTs set an example
and the standard for privates to look up to, and live up to. SGTs play an important role in
all aspects of the Army. Being a first line supervisor, a S GT has a lot of influence on his or
her Soldiers and has a variety of duties including training, inspecting, and disciplining them.
In order to become an SGT, a Soldier must earn promotion points by studying, taking
classes, having a high physical training (PT) score, showing great marksmanship, and going
to the promotion board. Upon promotion, Sergeants enter the Non-commissioned Officer
Corps and join what is commonly referred to as “the backbone of the Army“.

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Organization of the US Army (Army 101) Primer

Staff Sergeant / SSG / E-6 / "Sergeant"

A Staff Sergeant, like a Sergeant (E-5), can command a squad (9 to 10 Soldiers) or can have
the responsibility of an entire Platoon (16-40 Soldiers). Often a SSG has one or more SGTs
under their leadership. SSGs are responsible for developing, maintaining and utilizing the
full range of his Soldiers' potential. Because Staff Sergeants have much more time in
service and more experience they are usually responsible for more military items and
equipment. To become an SSG, a SGT must also earn promotion points and must physically
go to the Promotion Board.

Sergeant First Class / SFC / E-7 / "Sergeant"

A Sergeant First Class is a key assistant and advisor to the platoon leader. Generally has 15
to 18 years of Army experience and puts it to use by making quick, accurate decisions in the
best interests of the Soldiers and the country. An SFC is a Platoon Sergeant meaning that
he or she will take the orders that are put out by the Platoon Leader (an officer) and ensure
that the platoon properly carries out those orders.

Master Sergeant / MSG / E-8 / Sergeant"

A Master Sergeant is the principal NCO at the battalion level, and often higher. Not
charged with all the leadership responsibilities of a 1SG, but expected to dispatch
leadership and other duties with the same professionalism. Depending on an NCO's
military occupational specialty (MOS), he or she can be promoted to Master Sergeant. A
Master Sergeant has more administrative duties and less authority than a First Sergeant
(who is also on the same pay grade).

First Sergeant / 1SG / E-8 / "First Sergeant"

SG
1 is the principal NCO and life-blood of the company: the provider, disciplinarian and wise
counselor. Instructs other SGTs, advises the company/troop/battery commander and helps
train all enlisted Soldiers (60-200). Assists officers at the company level and is responsible
for managing an entire company of Soldiers. First Sergeants must keep their companies
performing to the best of their ability by ensuring that orders or information from the
commander (an officer) or higher is given to the Platoon Sergeants who give it to their
Soldiers. Every First Sergeant wants his or her company to be the best. To accomplish that,
First Sergeants ensure that their company is well trained, fit for duty, and doing their duties
properly. Sometimes a First Sergeant will be referred to as "Top”.

Sergeant Major / SGM / E-9 / "Sergeant Major"

Sergeant Major’s (SGM) experience and abilities are equal to that of the Command
Sergeant Major (CSM), but the sphere of influence regarding leadership is generally limited
to those directly under his charge. Assists officers at the battalion level (300 to 1,000
Soldiers). Just as a SFC or a First Sergeant manage their Platoon or Company, a Sergeant
Major must control a Battalion through enforcing orders, organizing training, and holding
accountability formations.

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Organization of the US Army (Army 101) Primer

Command Sergeant Major / CSM / E-9 / "Command Sergeant Major"

Functioning without supervision, a CSM’s counsel is expected to be calm, settled and
accurate—with unflagging enthusiasm. Supplies recommendations to the commander and
staff, and carries out policies and standards on the performance, training, app earance and
conduct of enlisted personnel. Assists Officers at the brigade level (3,000 to 5,000 Soldiers).
CSMs work at different levels in a unit representing Soldiers, advising the officers above
them, and providing leadership to a battalion or a higher unit. Enlisted Soldiers who attain
the distinction of being selected by the Department of the Army for participation in the
Command Sergeants Major program are the epitome of success in their chosen field, in this
profession of arms. There is no higher grade of rank, except Sergeant Major of the Army,
for enlisted Soldiers and there is no greater honor.
The CSM carries out policies and standards of the performance, training, appearance, and
conduct of enlisted personnel. The CSM advises and initiates recommendations to the
commander and staff in matters pertaining to the local NCO support channel.
Perhaps slightly wiser and more experienced than the first sergeant, the CSM is expected
to function completely without supervision. Like the old sage of t imes past, the CSM’s
counsel is expected to be calm, settled and unequivocally accurate, but with an energy and
enthusiasm that never wanes, even in the worst of times.
Assignable to any billet in the Army, the CSM is all those things, and more, of each o f the
preceding grades of rank.

Sergeant Major of the Army / SMA / E-9 / "Sergeant Major"

There’s only one Sergeant Major of the Army. This rank is the epitome of what it means to
be a Sergeant and oversees all NCOs. Serves as the senior enlisted advisor and consultant
to the Chief of Staff of the Army (a four-star General).
The Sergeant Major of the Army is the highest rank an Enlisted Soldier can achieve in the
U.S. Army. The current SMA as of March 1, 2011 is Sergeant Major of the Army Raymond F.
Chandler III.

Warrant Officer Ranks and Grades . Warrant Officers are the technical experts of the Army.
The Army Warrant Officer is an adaptive technical expert, combat leader, trainer, and advisor. Through
progressive levels of expertise in assignments, training, and education, the Warrant Officer administers,
manages, maintains, operates, and integrates Army systems and equipment across the Conflict Continuum
of Army operations. Warrant Officers are formally addressed as either Mr. or Ms. CW2 through CW 5 may
also be addressed as “Chief”.

Warrant Officer 1 / WO1 / W-1

Appointed by warrant from the Secretary of the Army. WO1s are technically and tactically
focused officers who perform the primary duties of technical leader, trainer, operator,
manager, maintainer, sustainer, and advisor. WO-1 is the lowest rank on the Warrant
Officer Rank scale, but they have a lot of responsibilities. A WO1 is expected to proficiently
operate equipment, train Soldiers on that equipment, and give the leaders above them
advice on their technical specialty.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 / CW2 / W-2 "

Chief Warrant Officers become commissioned officers as provided by the President of the
United States. CW2s are intermediate level technical and tactical experts who perform

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Organization of the US Army (Army 101) Primer

increased duties and responsibilities at the detachment through battalion levels. From the
rank of CW2 on up, the President of the United States appoints Warrant Officers to their
position by commission. CW2s have more experience in their field than WO1s, an d they
can work at a higher level in a unit (usually at the Battalion level).

Chief Warrant Officer 3 / CW3 / W-3

Advanced-level experts who perform the primary duties that of a technical and tactical
leader. They provide direction, guidance, resources, assistance, and supervision necessary
for subordinates to perform their duties. CW3s primarily support operations levels from
team or detachment through brigade. With higher rank, a CW3 has more knowledge and
expertise in his or her chosen field. This also means that a Chief Warrant Officer 3 has
more responsibilities such as supervising other Warrant Officers and working in support of
higher units, anywhere from Battalions to Divisions.

Chief Warrant Officer 4 / CW4 / W-4

Senior-level experts in their chosen field. They primarily support battalion, brigade,
division, corps, and echelons above corps operations. CW4s typically have special
mentorship responsibilities for other WOs and provide essential advice to commanders on
WO issues. CW4s have more leadership responsibilities including advising unit
Commanders and providing training and guidance to lower ranking Warrant Officers.

Chief Warrant Officer 5 / CW5 / W-5

Master-level technical and tactical experts that support brigade, division, corps, echelons
above corps, and major command operations. They provide leader development,
mentorship, advice, and counsel to WOs and branch officers. CW5s have special WO
leadership and representation responsibilities within their respective commands.
CW5 is the highest rank a Warrant Officer can achieve. They are the best of the best in
their technical field. A Chief Warrant Officer 5's duties can range anywhere from being the
technical expert at the Division or Corps level to representing Warrant Officers to
Commanding Officers.

Commissioned Officer Ranks and Grades

Second Lieutenant / 2LT / O-1 / “Lieutenant, Sir or Ma'am"
Second Lieutenant is the typical entry-level rank for a Commissioned Officer in the U.S.
Army. A second Lieutenant usually leads / commands a platoon (within a
company/troop/battery) consisting of the platoon sergeant and two or more squads of
about 20 to 44 Soldiers. Sometimes a 2LT will be referred to as a "Butter Bar" or "LT."

First Lieutenant / 1LT / O-2 / "Lieutenant, Sir or Ma'am"

First Lieutenants have more experience than Second Lieutenants, and are usually promoted
to their rank after about 18 months in Service. Since a 1LT has more experience, he or she
might be put in the position of Executive Officer (XO) for a Company.

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Organization of the US Army (Army 101) Primer

Captain / CPT / O-3 / "Captain, Sir or Ma'am"

SG
Commands and controls company-sized units (60 to 200 Soldiers), together with a 1 as his
principal NCO assistant. Instructs skills at service schools and The United States Army
combat training centers and is often a Staff Officer from battalion to ARSTAF level.

Major / MAJ / O-4 / "Major, Sir or Ma'am"

Majors can serve as XOs for battalions or hold a primary staff officer position at the brigade
or higher levels.

Lieutenant Colonel / LTC / O-5 / "Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel, Sir or Ma'am"

A Lieutenant Colonel commands a battalion of about 400-1200 Soldiers with a CSM as
his/her principal NCO assistant. May also be selected for brigade and task force Executive
Officer, primary staff officer at division and higher levels.

Colonel / COL / O-6 / "Colonel, Sir or Ma'am"

Typically commands brigade-sized units (3,000 to 5,000 Soldiers), with a CSM as his /her
principal NCO assistant. Also found as the chief of divisional-level staff agencies or higher.
Colonels are sometimes referred to as "Full Birds".

Brigadier General / BG / O-7 / "General, Sir or Ma'am"

Brigadier Generals usually do not command units; instead they serve as Deputy
Commanders to the commander of a division. Assists in overseeing the staf f’s planning and
coordinating of missions. Also found as primary staff officer at Department of Defense,
Joint Staffs, and Army levels.

Major General / MG / O-8 / "General, Sir or Ma'am"

A Major General will typically command a division (4 BCTs) of approximately 15,000
Soldiers. May be assigned as the commander of a Joint Command or Task Force. Also
found as primary staff officer at Department of Defense, Joint Staffs, and Army levels.

Lieutenant General / LTG / O-9 / "General, Sir or Ma'am"

A Lieutenant General commands an entire corps with between 20,000 to 45,000
Soldiers. May be assigned as the commander of a Joint Command or Task Force. Also
found as primary staff officer at Department of Defense, Joint Staffs, and Army levels.

General / GEN / O-10 / "General, Sir or Ma'am'

The senior level of Commissioned Officer typically has over 30 years of
experience and service. Instead of commanding an actual unit, a
General is responsible for a specific region and all the units within that region a nd
operations that fall within their geographical area. The Chief of Staff, Army is a
four-star General.

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Organization of the US Army (Army 101) Primer

SUMMARY OF THE NON-COMMISSIONED & OFFICER LEADERSHIP

“RANKS” & “POSITIONS”.

Army Organizations

. / .. ...
SQUAD/SECTION PLATOON COMPANY
• Leader is usually a Staff Sergeant • Leader is usually a Lieutenant • Commander is a Captain
• Smallest unit in Army organization • Size varies depending on type: • Size varies depending on type:
• Size varies depending on type: - 60-200 soldiers
- Infantry (9 soldiers) - Infantry (40 soldiers)
• Different names:
- Armor (4 soldiers) - Armor (16 soldiers) - Artillery: Battery
- Engineer (10 soldiers) • 3 or 4 platoons make a company - Cavalry: Troop
• 3 or 4 squads make a platoon • 4 or 5 companies make a battalion

X XX
BATTALION BRIGADE DIVISION
• Commander is a Lieutenant • Commander is a Colonel • Commander is a Major General
Colonel • Size varies depending on type: • Can control 1-6 Brigade Combat
• Size varies depending on type: - 3,000 – 5,000 soldiers
• Units this size can be also Teams (BCTs) + Support
- 250 -1,200 soldiers Brigades
• Different name: categorized as Regiments or Groups
• May be employed on independent • About 900 Soldiers in the
- Cavalry: Squadron headquarters
• 2 or more battalions make a or semi-independent operations
• Several different type Brigades • Performs major sustained
brigade make up a Division tactical operations
• Tactically & administratively • Tactically & administratively
self-sufficient self-sufficient

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Organization of the US Army (Army 101) Primer

Organizational Designs of the Army

The Army is designed in “small units” and “large units”. This chart depicts the organization of Army
small units.

Army Small Units

The Squad The Platoon
• It consists of 4-10 Soldiers Combat crews usually travel in one vehicle • The Platoon consists of several Squads
• Normally led by a Staff Sergeant • Consists of 16-40 Soldiers
• Lowest level unit that acts independently • Travels in four to six vehicles
• Patrols are usually performed by Squads • Normally led by a Lieutenant

In the Series “Band of Brothers”, the patrols are

conducted by Squads. In “Blackhawk Down” , The movie “Platoon” is about a fictionalized
most of the fighting occurs at Squad level infantry platoon in Vietnam

The Company The Battalion

•The Company consists of several Platoons • The Battalion consists of several Companies
• It has several hundred vehicles
•Consists of 60-200 Soldiers • Normally commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel
•Travels in ten to thirty vehicles
•Normally commanded by a Captain

Or
+
X 250 – 1,200
Or

~150-200
X 14 Vehicles
OR X 30-44
In “We Were Soldiers”, Mel Gibson leads an Infantry Battalion
X 14 In “Courage Under Fire”, Denzel Washington leads a Tank
Battalion
In “Saving Private Ryan, Tom Hanks leads a
5/3/2012 Ranger Company ashore on D-Day Army Force Management School The Modular Force - 8

We know that the Army is an organization of organizations. This chart describes the unit -level
organizations that make up the Army. We will briefly examine each level of Army organizations.
The first level depicted is the Squad or Section. This is the lowest level of formal organization, but
probably the most important. Every junior Soldier in the Army is assigned to a Squad or Section, and a
Sergeant has the responsibility for the total care of that Soldier. If you see a picture of a Soldier standing
guard at a road intersection in Kandahar, Afghanistan, you may be assured that the Soldier belongs to a
Sergeant who has complete responsibility for the training, leadership, welfare, and well-being of that
Soldier.
The next level is the Platoon. Assemble 3 or 4 Squads and you build a Platoon. A platoon consists of
roughly 40 Infantry Soldiers or 16 Armor Soldiers (4 tanks times 4 crew members per tank) and is led by a
Lieutenant, assisted by a Sergeant First Class.

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The next level is the Company. Assemble 3 or 4 Platoons and you build a company. A company consists
of roughly 60-200 Soldiers. The size of a company varies between branches. Usually a Captain commands a
company, and he/she is assisted by a First Sergeant. Company sized units in the Field Artillery and Air
Defense Artillery are referred to as batteries. In the Cavalry they are referred to as troops.
The next level is the Battalion. A battalion is commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel, and is assisted by a
Command Sergeant Major. Battalion strengths range from roughly 250-1,200 Soldiers. Battalion sized
organizations in the Cavalry are referred to as squadrons.

This chart depicts the organization of Army Large Units.

Army Large Units

The Brigade Combat Team The Division
The Brigade Combat Team consists of 2 maneuver battalions The Division consists of the headquarters elements to
A reconnaissance squadron, artillery battalion, and support command and control 1-6 BCTs and their associated
battalion. It can operate independently for 96 hours support brigades. It is the principal warfighting command
It is normally commanded by a Colonel and control echelon. The headquarters can operate
independently for extend periods. It is normally
commanded by a Major General.

X ~3,200 – 4,300
+ + +
+ + + X ~ 900 in HQ
+ + +
~1,200 Vehicles X ~ 15,000 soldiers
+ + +
+ +

+ + +
X ~ 3,700 vehicles
Russell Crowe’s Roman Legion in “Gladiator” was about
the size of a Brigade. The Third Infantry Division led the attack on
Baghdad during Operation Iraqi Freedom

The Corps The Army

The Corps consists of several Divisions. It has extensive The Army is the THEATER level Army command echelon. It
logistics capability and long range attack assets performs as the overall ground command for an area, and is
It can conduct independent ground campaigns usually the Army Service Component Command (ASCC) HQs.
It is normally commanded by a Lieutenant General It operates the theater level combat operations. It is
authorized a General, but is often commanded by a
Example: Lieutenant General
COCOM ASCC
X ~ 900 in the HQ SOUTHCOM USARSO
+ + + PACOM USARPAC
X 30,000 – 100,000 + +
+ + + in a Corps + X 400-700 in the HQ
+
+ + + + + + X 100,000 – 300,000
+ + + ~25,000 Vehicles + + + in the Army

The Fifth Corps coordinated 3rd Infantry and 101st + + + ~75,000 Vehicles
Airborne operations in Operation Iraqi Freedom During Operation Iraqi Freedom, Third Army controlled both
5/3/2012 Army Force Management School
Fifth Corp TheTommy
and Marine Units for General Modular Force - 59
Franks.

The Brigade Combat Team is the basic unit of combat capability. The Brigade Combat Team (BCT) is
currently commanded by a Colonel, and is assisted by a Command Sergeant Major. BCT strengths range
from roughly 3,200 to 4,300 Soldiers, depending on type, and are designed to employ the full range of
combat capabilities as operationally demanded. TRADOC is investigating the design of a BCT with three (3)
maneuver battalions for the Heavy and Infantry BCTs.
The next level is the Division. A Division is commanded by a Major General, and is assisted by a very
senior Command Sergeant Major. Divisions are currently organized as headquarters elements only, with no
permanently assigned Brigades. A division is capable of command and control of 1 to 6 BCT’s and their
associated maneuver support and sustainment units. There are ten(10) Division headquarters structured in
the Active Component and eight (8) Division headquarters structured in the Army National Guard.

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Organization of the US Army (Army 101) Primer

Corps headquarters are like division headquarters in that they are organized as headquarters elements
only, and are capable of commanding and controlling some number of Division headquarters as well as
direct command of Brigade Combat Teams if needed. Four (4) Corps headquarters are structured in the
Active Component.
Army force structure is always changing. Changes in strategy, missions, doctrine, time, people, equipment
and dollars result in changes in force structure. With the current revision of Army structures to Army
Modular Force designs, each of the above depicted organizations is evolving in structure, organization,
design and mission. CSA Odierno has directed a relook at the BCT design.

The Army seeks to design a

force structure meeting the
President’s strategy, the
guidance from OSD / CJCS and
congressional constraints.
The force is divided into
Operating Force (OF) and
Generating Force (GF)
discussed on page five (5) of
this Primer. This figure
provides the generic
organization of the Army
from higher to lower,
supported to supporting,
WITH THE CAVEAT: the total
impact of the force/resource
reductions have not been
identified.

ARMY FORCE STRUCTURE

GENERAL STRUCTURING of ARMY FORCES (as of January 2012)
Missions are executed or carried out by different size elements or organizations within the Army. The
basic building block of all Army organizations is the individual Soldier. A small group of Soldiers organized to
conduct infantry maneuver and fires is called a squad. This section provides an illustrative example of the
different size elements. Graphics provide insight to a specific type of unit of that size.
As elements of the Army’s organizational structure become larger units (i.e. battalions, brigades or
divisions), they contain more and more subordinate elements from combat arms (CA), combat support (CS),
and combat service support (CSS) units (e.g., companies and battalions).
Typically, a company is the smallest element of the Army to be given a designation an d an affiliation
with higher headquarters at battalion and brigade level. This designation of an alpha/numeric and a branch
cause an “element” to become a “unit”. Example: Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment.

15
Organization of the US Army (Army 101) Primer

Army’s force structure and Total Strength.

There are roughly 212 Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) Soldiers can have in the Army, and there
are over 1300 types of units they can be assigned to. In total, there are over 8,000 separate units in the
Army. These units are found in the three components (COMPOs) of the Army: the Active Army (COMPO 1),
Army National Guard (COMPO 2) and Army Reserve (COMPO 3). Total Strength of the Army is the aggregate
of COMPO 1, 2 & 3 authorized (spaces), authorized by officer/warrant officer/enlisted (by Fiscal Year).

The Active Army (AC) performs the full range of land dominance tasks, and is composed entirely of full
time professional Soldiers. HQDA projects the future total strength for the active component (COMPO 1)
will be approximately 490,000 (officer, warrant officers, and enlisted), supported by the best Department of
the Army Civilians (DAC) and contractors, located through the world.

The Army National Guard (ARNG) also performs that full range of land dominance activities, but
typically the National Guard trains and organizes units to perform both a State mission under the control of
the State Governors, and, when federalized, the National Guard typically provides trained units to perform a
variety of Army missions. The projected total strength for COMPO 2 is approximately 350,000 (officer,
warrant officer and enlisted) throughout the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the
U.S. Virgin Islands (3 territories).

The United States Army Reserve (USAR) performs combat service support (CSS) and some combat
support (CS) missions in support of the active component and the ARNG. The projected total strength for
COMPO 3 is approximately 205,000 (officer, warrant officer and enlisted) within the 50 States, and
throughout the world.

Note that the majority of American Soldiers are actually in the National Guard or the Army Reserve. The
Guard and Reserves are collectively referred to as the Reserve Components (RC). Additional information is
available in the Reserve Component Primer located on the Army Force Management Website:
http://www.afms1.belvoir.army.mil/primers.php .

The TOTAL STRENGTH (by Fiscal Year (FY), officer/warrant officer/enlisted, and component) is
determined through guidance from the President, Congress, and/or the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
The force structure supporting the strategy (brigade combat teams, support and sustainment), within the
total strength, by component and FY has not been determined for FY 13, 14 & 15. Additional force
reductions and total strength reductions may be on the horizon (impacts of Budget Control Act of 2011,
Sequestration, and Congressional Budget deliberations and negotiations for the 2013 budget).

Current Force Structure Guidance.

In January 2012 the President and Secretary of Defense announced a change in the National Security
Strategy and focus for the Department of defense. The latest guidance did not include the “Directed Force”
or the force sizing construct normally included in the National Defense Strategy (NDS), the Defense Planning
Guidance (DPG), the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) or the Army Plan (TAP). Until those changes are
received by the Army Staff (ARSTAF), the current force structure is approximately reflected in the following
table. Additional information on the future force structure is found on page 37 of this primer.

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Organization of the US Army (Army 101) Primer

Army Forces Across the Spectrum

As of January2012

Army Special Infantry Stryker Heavy (Armored

Operations / Mechanized)
• 5 Special Forces Groups 20 Infantry BCTs 8 Stryker BCTs 17 Heavy BCTs
Active • 1 Ranger Regiment
• 1 Special Operations
Component Aviation Regiment (SOAR)
• 2 Civil Affairs Brigades
• 1 Psychological Operations
(PSYOP) Group
82 Support Brigades, 10 Division HQs, 4 Corps HQs, 8 Army Service Component / Functional
Commands
• 2 Special Forces Groups 20 Infantry BCTs 1 Stryker BCT 7 Heavy BCTs
Reserve • 9 Civil Affairs Brigades
• 2 PSYOP Groups
Component
147 Support Brigades, 8 Division HQs
• 7 Special Forces Groups 40 Infantry BCTs 9 Stryker BCTs 24 Heavy BCTs
Totals • 1 Ranger Regiment
• 1 SOAR
• 11 Civil Affairs Brigades
• 3 PSYOP Groups
229 Support Brigades, 18 Division HQs, 4 Corps HQs

NOTE: TRADOC has recommended that the Heavy BCTs be renamed Armor BCTs or ABCTs.
Additionally, as the OSD/DOD directed reductions in Total Strength impact the number of BCTs during the
current and future Budget submissions, the mix of IBCT, SBCT and HBCTs will be adjusted in addition to
the directed /proposed “inactivations” of BCTs.

Army Organizations / Military Map Symbols

In many cases, Army organizations are depicted using unit map symbols. The map symbols are designed
to depict Army unit capabilities in a concise form. This dates back to the Civil War and the First World War.
Military planners found it much more efficient to write a unit symbol on a map rather than describe the unit
in longhand. Therefore, the Army developed the military map symbol. This process is still in use today.
Many current Army capabilities are displayed through the use of military map symbols.

The complete list of the branches within the Army, with branch brass (worn on uniforms) and map
symbols are displayed on pages 21 and 22.

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Organization of the US Army (Army 101) Primer

UNIT Map symbols

In accordance with FM 1-02, OPERATIONAL TERMS AND GRAPHICS, Chapter 4 (military symbols) a
military symbol is composed of a frame, color (fill), icon(s), and may include text or graphic modifiers that
provide additional information (see figure below).

The icon is the innermost part of the military symbol providing an abstract pictorial or alphanumeric
representation of the function or role of the military symbol. Within the frame and as an integral part of a
basic icon, there may also be additional graphic or text modifiers that further define the function or role of
the military symbol being displayed. FM 1-02, Chapter 5 (Unit Symbols) covers the potential modifier fields,
descriptions of the fields, branches and functional symbols, mobility and capability modifiers, special
operations forces, echelons, task force, reinforced or detached, named commands and control
headquarters, headquarters elements, and multi-functional combat service support units.

This primer presents the single standard for developing land unit symbols established in FM 1-02. A unit
is a military element whose structure is prescribed by a competent authority. This primer includes a wide
variety of unit symbols and modifiers for building new or unique symbols. However, no attempt to depict all
unit symbols has been made. Two examples are demonstrated here.

Graphic Modifier: depicts the level of the unit/element. Left graphic is a company. The right graphic
is a battalion.

ICON: The icon is the innermost part of the military symbol providing an abstract pictorial or
alphanumeric representation of the function or role of the military symbol. Within the frame and as an
integral part of a basic icon, there may also be additional graphic or text modifiers that further d efine the
function or role of the military symbol being displayed. Some examples are provided in later graphics. The
example on the left is a field artillery battery. Unit on the right: armored cavalry squadron [armor tread and
cavalry bandoleer].

COLOR (FILL): Color indicates affiliation. Color is the hue of the line marking the geometric border or
the fill of the interior area of the frame. The colors represent the branch within the Army (infantry, armor,
signal, etc) FM 1-02, table 4-3 depicts the default colors for the symbols.

TEXT OR GRAPHIC MODIFIERS : A text or graphic modifier provides additional information about a
symbol. This information is displayed on the outside of the frame. The default placement of modifiers in
fields around the frame is shown above. The placement of these modifiers is the same, regardless of frame
shape. Symbol on the left is A Battery, 6th Battalion 37th Field Artillery. Symbol on the right is the 2 nd
Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment.

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Organization of the US Army (Army 101) Primer

Map symbol Frame unit size and hierarchy from Squad to Army
ELEMENTS SYMBOL and SIZE NOTES
Squad/Section 9-10 Soldiers
This schematic provides
a framework to
Platoon 16-44 Soldiers categorize Army
organizations.
Company/Battery/Troop 60-200 Soldiers

Battalion/Squadron 250 -1,200 Soldiers These elements are

shown from smallest to
Brigade/Regiment/Group 3,000-5,000 Soldiers largest.

Division Approximately 15,000

Soldiers Each organization is
replicated from three to
Corps 30,000-100,000 Soldiers
five times to form the
next larger element.
Army 100,000+ Soldiers

Example INFANTRY:
Depicted here is the map symbol for Infantry….a simple portrayal of crossed rifles (the branch insignia
of Infantry, depicted as crossed straps) and the color within the frame is infantry blue.

Squad
Graphic Modifiers Section
The Symbol above
the box represents Platoon
the SIZE of that Unit
Company
Battalion
Regiment

X Brigade

XX Division
3/11/2012 Army Force Management School The Modular Force - 13

The frame is used to identify the location of the unit on a map. The map symbol is also used in charts to
identify the unit. The inner area of the box was used to identify the type of unit and the outer area of the
box was used to identify the unit size and designation.

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Organization of the US Army (Army 101) Primer

There are a variety of INFANTRY organizations, with unit symbols and graphics to match. This diagram
demonstrates the various Graphic Modifiers used to describe the different “flavors / capabilities” with the
infantry branch.

Infantry Military Map Symbols

Company

1. L
Infantry, Light Infantry
and Air Assault
l Company

2. Stryker Infantry
Battalion

3. Bradley Equipped Mechanized Infantry

II Battalion

4. Mechanized Infantry
X Brigade Combat Team

5. Heavy Brigade Combat Team (BCT)

XX Division

6. Airborne Infantry
4/28/2012 Army Force Management School The Modular Force - 14

The symbols (annotated 1-6 in the slide above) depict some of the additional capabilities of Infantry
units. Descriptions of each is listed below, by number, and we’ll also use this chart to understand the
placement of the symbols that indicate unit size, text or graphic modifiers, and color.
1. The top symbols represent a variety of Infantry Companies. The three variations represented:
Infantry, Light Infantry and Air Assault
2. The next symbol is the symbol for Stryker equipped Infantry Company. The first branch symbol
affiliation is infantry denoted by the crossed straps. The second branch symbol modifier that
further explains the capability of the unit is “mechanized” or “armored” with the tank tread. T he
third branch symbol modifier for the next capability is “wheeled” or more appropriately “wheeled
armored vehicle”. This is a mobility modifier. It describes the capability of the unit to move
personnel and equipment. The fourth branch symbol modifier for the capability is “gun system
equipped”. The graphics indicate that the unit is equipped with the Stryker Combat Vehicle. The
depicted symbol indicates that this is a company sized unit.
3. The next symbol represents Bradley equipped Mechanized Infantry Battalion. We add a vertical
line graphic modifier to the symbol for Mechanized Infantry to indicate a different capability for
this unit. Because the M-2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle has a 25 mm gun system and remarkably

20
Organization of the US Army (Army 101) Primer

different mobility characteristics, we depict Bradley equipped units differently. The symbol
indicates that this is a battalion sized unit.
4. The next symbol represents Mechanized Infantry Battalion. The infantry crossed straps graphics
are modified with the additional symbol of the tank tread representing armor, tracked or self
propelled. This means that this unit uses the protection and mobility of armored personnel carriers
to perform its missions. The graphic modifier demonstrates that this is a brigade sized unit.
5. The next last symbol is that of a Heavy Brigade Combat Team (HBCT). This organization consists of
equal portions of Mechanized Infantry and Tank units, and essentially blends Armor and Infantry
capabilities into “Maneuver” capabilities.
6. The last symbol represents an Airborne Division. The additional symbol of the glider wings placed
in the lower portion of the box indicates an airborne capability for this unit.

BRANCHES OF THE ARMY : The complete list of branches, branch brass (worn on uniforms) and
map symbols are portrayed in the next two graphics.

Combat Arms and Combat Support:

BRANCHES and functions of the ARMY

Combat Arms Combat Support
(directly involved in the conduct of actual fighting) (provides operational assistance to Combat Arms)

Air Defense
Artillery Aviation*

Armor
Chemical*
Cavalry

Combined Engineer*

Arms
Military Intelligence MI
Aviation*

Military Police* MP
Engineer*

Signal*
Field Artillery
Civil Affairs CA
Infantry
Psychological

Special Forces SF Operations

* Note: Some branches perform multiple CA/CS/CSS duties

4/28/2012 Army Force Management School The Modular Force - 45

21
Organization of the US Army (Army 101) Primer

Combat Service Support:

Combat Service Support

(performs personnel service support, logistics, and administrative functions for all branches)

Adjutant General AG Finance

Army Medical1 Judge Advocate JA

General

Aviation*
Military Police* MP

Chaplain Ch
Ordnance

Maintenance
Chemical*
Ammunition

Civil Affairs CA
Psychological Quartermaster
Operations
Signal*
Engineers*
Transportation

•Note: Some branches perform multiple CA / CS / CSS duties

•1. Six specialty corps: Medical Specialty, Nurse, Dental, Medical Service, Veterinary, and Medical

4/28/2012 Army Force Management School The Modular Force - 46

Army Branches and Unit Capabilities:

The following section will provide basic information about the different branches of the Army, their
mission, branch insignia, map symbols, branch
colors and various examples / pictures of
equipment. This portion of the primer does not
present all of the branches of the Army, nor
does the primer cover every type of
organization in the Army.
Maneuver: Infantry
Armor
Aviation
Engineer
Military Police
Fires: Field Artillery
Air Defense Artillery
Support: Military Intelligence
Signal

22
Organization of the US Army (Army 101) Primer

INFANTRY :
Infantry is one of the Combat Arms. It is a maneuver branch. The mission of the Infantry is to close
with the enemy by means of fire and maneuver, and capture or destroy him.
1. There are several different types of infantry organizations in the Army today.
a. The first picture is Light Infantry, depicted
in the upper left corner ( ). The United
II Infantry
States Army has the finest light infantry in
the world today, and we can deploy light
infantry units quite rapidly if needed. But, II
light infantry organizations have no tanks
and very little organic transportation for
its Soldiers. Therefore, light units can be
deployed quickly to the theater, but once II
employed in combat, have limited tactical
mobility, and very limited protection from
heavy force opponents.
b. We have Airborne Infantry, depicted in the 4/30/2012 Army Force Management School The Modular Force - 16

middle left picture ( ). Airborne is considered light infantry as well. The Airborne has all the
same capabilities as Light Infantry, but Airborne units have the training and additional skills to
be employed by the Combatant Commander via parachute. While this is a formidable s trategic
or tactical mobility capability, once employed in combat, the Airborne fights like Light Infantry.
c. We also have Air Assault Infantry, depicted in the lower left picture ( ). Air Assault is
considered light infantry as well. The Air Assault has all the same capabilities as Light Infantry,
but Air Assault units have the training and additional skills to be delivered into battle via
helicopter. These units can optimize the value of air mobility with quick insertions and
movement within the battlefield, but once employed in combat, the Air Assault conducts most of
its operations like Light Infantry.
d. The Army standard for Mechanized Infantry today is the M-2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFV),
depicted on the center bottom ( ). The Bradley has a 25 mm cannon, allows Soldiers to fight
from inside the vehicle, and has substantially improved mobility and survivability characteristics.

2. Stryker is an additional Infantry skill. This slide

chart depicts the Stryker Infantry structure II Stryker
using the Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT)
as the base unit. The idea of the SBCT is to
Infantry
capitalize on the versatility and deployability
of light infantry, and by providing additional
mobility, firepower and protection. The SBCT
is designed to offer a more “versatile” land
dominance capability across the CONFLICT
CONTINUUM. Note that the Stryker vehicle is
more than just an Infantry Carrier. The
Stryker was designed as a family of vehicles
with several variants for special capabilities. It
was designed to have roughly 85% parts 4/1/2012 Army Force Management School The Modular Force - 17

commonality with common chassis, and common drive train. This makes the vehicle easier to
sustain and support.

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Organization of the US Army (Army 101) Primer

ARMOR :
This slide depicts Armor organizations as another Combat Arms branch.
1. Armor units team with infantry units to
accomplish the tactical mission by providing I Armor
the maneuver, firepower and shock effect in
conjunction with infantry operations. In Heavy ABRAMS
units, Infantry and Armor units almost always
work in combination with each other to Cavalry
accomplish the tactical mission.
2. There are two types of Armor units depicted
on this chart. II
a. Tank units task organize with Infantry
units to close with the enemy, capture or
destroy him, and to take and hold terrain.
Tank unit symbols are at the top of the 4/28/2012 Cavalry Fighting Vehicle
Army Force Management School The Modular Force - 18

chart.
b. Cavalry units are depicted at the bottom of this chart. Cavalry organizations are armored units,
but have a significantly different mission. Cavalry uses the mobility, protection and firepower
of armored vehicles and aircraft to perform its primary mission of Reconnaissance.

AVIATION : Here are examples of Army Aviation capabilities.

1. The Army’s standard attack aircraft is the AH-64 “Apache”. It is considered a “Heavy” Attack
aircraft and its unit symbol is depicted using a rotor blade with an “A” indicating Attack and an “H”
indicating Heavy. The OH-58D “Kiowa Warrior” is the Army’s standard light attack aircraft. Its unit
symbol would be depicted using an “A” for
Attack, “R” for Reconnaissance, and “L” for
Light.
2. The Army’s standard light utility aircraft is the
UH-60 “Blackhawk”. Its unit symbol is
depicted with a “U” for Utility and an “L” for
Light. The Army’s heavy utility aircraft is the
CH-47 “Chinook”. Its unit symbol would be
depicted using a “U” for Utility and an “H” for
Heavy.
3. These various types of aircraft will be arrayed
in several types of aviation brigades, and will
be examined in greater detail later in this
primer.

24
Organization of the US Army (Army 101) Primer I
CBT II Engineer
ENGINEERS : Engineers perform their
combat roles of Mobility, Counter-Mobility, and
Survivability.

RIBBON BRIDGE
M-9 ACE

4/28/2012 Army Force Management School The Modular Force - 20

MILITARY POLICE :
Military Police provide law enforcement and
battlefield circulation control to the operational area.
In combat, MP units keep main supply routes clear
and orderly and route the vast amounts of vehicular
traffic associated with the logistic support of the units
in the operational area.

Field Artillery
II
FIELD ARTILLERY : Artillery units
provide cannon, rocket and missile fires to employed
formations. This slide depicts some representative PALADIN
examples of artillery systems.
1. Light organizations have towed artillery, as
II
depicted in the upper left. MLRS
2. Heavy organizations have self-propelled
artillery, as seen in the center picture.
3. The Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS),
seen at the bottom of the chart. 3/12/2012 Army Force Management School The Modular Force - 21

Air Defense Artillery

Patriot II
AIR DEFENSE ARTILLERY :
Avenger
Air Defense Artillery units provide the air protection
umbrella for units in the operational area. Shown are
Stinger Man PADS some representative weapons systems that have
historically been structured in Air Defense units.

4/28/2012 Army Force Management School The Modular Force - 28

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Organization of the US Army (Army 101) Primer

MILITARY INTELLIGENCE : II Military

Intelligence
Military Intelligence (MI) provides all-source
information and intelligence for the commander and
his planning staff. MI units use a variety of ground
MI
based equipment, and there is growing reliance on
Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)
Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). UAS give
commanders the opportunity to see farther and
clearer than they could even in the recent past. They
are employed in a variety of units including Military
Intelligence and Aviation units. More detail will come
later in this primer as we examine the support brigade
structure. 3/13/2012 Army Force Management School The Modular Force - 25

SIGNAL : II Signal
Signal units provide the communications means
for an operational area. Communication
requirements have multiplied over the recent past,
and with the advent of Digitization, bandwidth
requirements have literally exploded.
Digitization is a communications architecture that
allows headquarters elements and combat crews to
exchange voice, data and video information in real
time. This information exchange requires significant
bandwidth, and it is Signal units that provide those
services. 3/13/2012 Army Force Management School The Modular Force - 27

SUPPORT : Includes the Logistics Corps, Quartermaster

Quartermaster, Transportation, Medical Service,

II
SPT
Transportation
Ordnance (Maintenance and Ammunition) and
Aviation Maintenance. Medical Service
Logistics
Ordnance
Support organizations provide the logistical Corps • Maintenance

support and sustainment for other units operating in II • Ammunition

the theater or the continental U.S. Depicted to the AVN Aviation

Maintenance
right are some representative (but not all inclusive)
types of ground and aviation support units. SPT
Combat Service Support provides “field support”
and “sustainment support”. Additional definitions,
roles and functions for Support organizations are 3/13/2012 Army Force Management School The Modular Force - 23

found later in this Primer.

26
Organization of the US Army (Army 101) Primer

MODULAR MENU:
The Modular Menu
Brigades as Building Blocks
X X X

Infantry Heavy Stryker

Standard maneuver brigades with organic combined arms capabilities

X X X X X
SUST
Maneuver Battlefield Combat Aviation Fires Sustainment
Enhancement Surveillance

Supporting brigades with standard headquarters, but variable subordinate units

4/1/2012 Army Force Management School The Modular Force - 33

We have completed the design and implementation of the modular force structure. The maneuver
brigades contain the combined arms capabilities necessary to deploy for employment of the unit into the
fight. Basically, we will organize as we fight. This includes adding access to joint capabilities at much lower
levels with a more robust network for communications, more joint and specialized personnel, and enhanced
training and leader development. All maneuver units have transformed to Infantry, Heavy or Stryker
designs. The Stryker design has three (3) maneuver battalions. The heavy and infantry BCTs are currently
designed with two (2) maneuver battalions. The Army is considering a redesign of the heavy and infantry
BCTs to add the third maneuver battalion, an engineer battalion and some additional field artillery
capabilities.

TRADOC has proposed changing the title of the “HEAVY” BCTs to “ARMOR” BCTs. This change has not
been approved by the Senior Leaders of the Department of the Army (SLDA) by the p ublishing date.

The support brigade structure is still evolving. Notice that the brigades are named by their capabilities,
not necessarily by their branch. Additionally, the supporting brigades are designed based on the density of
personnel and equipment. Changes in the BCTs design will dictate changes in the supporting brigade
designs.

The Brigades of the Army . The center piece of the current force structure design is the
BRIGADE. The Maneuver / Combat Brigades are the Heavy Brigade Combat Team (HB CT), Infantry Brigade
Combat Team (IBCT) and the Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT). The number of combat brigades is

27
Organization of the US Army (Army 101) Primer

provided by in DoD / OSD guidance as the DIRECTED FORCE. The DIRECTED FORCE provides the types / mix
of HBCT, IBCT and SBCT. The guidance includes which COMPO is assigned which type and number of BCTs.
With changes in the BCTs, the Army needs flexibly designed support brigades to ensure the success of the
combat organizations (BCTs).

HBCT:
The Heavy Brigade Combat Team (HBCT) conducts
offensive, defensive, and stability operations in support
of Combatant Commander objectives providing
armored firepower with tanks, mechanized infantry,
and self propelled artillery. HBCTs are capable of
conducting defense support to civilian authorities
(DSCA).
This chart reflects the current basic structure of a
Heavy Maneuver Brigade. The BCT consists of roughly
3,900 Soldiers. Note that it is designed with the
necessary organic maneuver, fires, communications,
intelligence, reconnaissance, and sustainment
capabilities. The BCT is capable of employing itself in
virtually any operational environment, and sustaining
itself for limited periods (~72hours).

IBCT:
The Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) conducts
offensive, defensive, and stability operations in
support of Combatant Commander objectives
providing light infantry, towed artillery, motorized
reconnaissance, and DSCA. This graphic depicts the
basic structure of an IBCT. There are Airborne and Air
Assault variants of this design, but the basic structure
and design are similar. The current Infantry BCT
consists of roughly 3,400 Soldiers.
Note that it is also designed with the necessary
organic maneuver, fires, communications, intelligence, reconnaissance, and sustainment capabilities. The
BCT is capable of employing itself in virtually any operational environment, and sustaining itself for limited
periods (~72hours).

SBCT:
The Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT) conducts
offensive, defensive, and stability operations in
support of Combatant Commander objectives
providing a highly lethal and mobile brigade with
combined arms firepower and DSCA. This graphic
depicts the current structure of a Stryker Brigade
Combat Team. The SBCT consists of roughly 4,300

28
Organization of the US Army (Army 101) Primer

Soldiers. The SBCT is larger than the other two (2) BCTs because it has the third maneuver battalion organic
to the design.
Note that it is also designed with the necessary organic maneuver, fires, communications, intelligence,
reconnaissance, and sustainment capabilities. The SBCT is capable of employing itself in virtually any
operational environment, and sustaining itself for limited periods (~72hours). It has also been designed to
have an immediate operational capability upon arrival in its assigned operational area.

SUPPORT BRIGADES / ROLES and MISSIONS :

This chart shows the basic description and map
symbols of each of the multi-functional support Support Brigades – Roles and Missions
brigades. Note that the preponderance of Multi- X
Fires Brigade: Close support and precision strike employing Joint and
Functional Support Brigades are assigned to the organic fires and capabilities to achieve distributive effects.
Reserve Components. X
Maneuver Enhancement Brigade: Protection for the supported force -
executing limited offensive, defensive, and stability missions to prevent
or mitigate the effects of hostile actions or environments to preserve
The support brigades fall into the following freedom of action.
X
categories: Battlefield Surveillance Brigade (BfSB): Reconnaissance, surveillance,
target acquisition and intelligence operations to build the common
Multi-Functional Support X
operational picture in order to focus joint combat power and effects.

Combat Aviation Brigade: Aviation and combined arms operations

Functional Support to find, fix, and destroy enemy forces and sustain combat power.
Special Functional Support X
SUST Sustainment Brigade: Logistics operations within an AO.
The following slides provide an overview to the
Support various levels (Divisions, Corps, Joint, Service, functional and multinational) by planning,
capabilities, designs and functions of each type of preparing, executing and assessing functions. Reinforce and complement maneuver brigades.
support brigade. 4/1/2012 Army Force Management School The Modular Force - 37

Multi-Functional Support Brigades: This category of organizations include:

Fires Brigade (FiB), Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB), Battlefield Surveillance Brigade (BfSB), Combat
Aviation Brigade [Expeditionary, Light, Medium (full spectrum) and Heavy] [CAB(E), CAB(L), CAB(FS) and
CAB(H)], and Sustainment Brigade (SUST).

FIRES BRIGADE (FiB): The FiB provides conventional fires as directed with five to seven organic
or attached field artillery battalions and other organic assets. Provides targeting by means of ground/air
observation and weapons locating radar. Supports maneuver and aviation elements with Fire Support
elements and teams.
Fires Brigade
Fires Brigades provide the fires and precision
effects that may be required in a given operational X

environment. The basic Brigade structure consists of Assigned, Attached or OPCON.

the headquarters and support elements, a

EW
communications element, a Target Acquisition Battery
HHB SPT TA FSC
(TAB) and at least one (1) Multiple Launch Rocket unit. (MLRS or
HIMARS)

Additionally, the Fires Brigade has the capacity to

expand as needed to accept and control multiple Task organized based on strategic
plans; training, readiness and
cannon or rocket artillery units, as well as units that oversight; stationing; and specific
operations
can provide Electronic Warfare (EW) capabilities.
4/1/2012 Army Force Management School The Modular Force - 39

Fires Brigades are apportioned, assigned and

deployed as required by operational conditions.

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Organization of the US Army (Army 101) Primer

MANEUVER ENHANCEMENT BRIGADE (MEB):

The MEB is a mission tailored force. It provides
protection for the supported force – executing limited
support area operations, maneuver support operations,
and support to consequence management, and stability
operations to prevent or mitigate the effects of hostile
action or environments to preserve freedom of action.
The MEB merges combat support capabilities from
Engineer, Military Police (MP), Chemical, Explosive
Ordnance Detachments (EOD), Civil Affairs (CA), and if
attached, controls the Tactical Combat Force to defeat
threats in the support area.

MEB is designed as a multi-functional headquarters

only, with no fixed substructure.
 Command and Control (C2) Headquarters with Air and Missile Defense(AMD), MP, Engineer, and
Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear & High Yield Explosive Command (CBRNE) functional
operations/planning cells
 Functional ops/plans cells.
 Foundation to create modular, tailorable, scalable PROTECTION force
 Subordinate assets drawn from force pool (no fixed subordinate structure)

BATTLEFIELD SURVEILLANCE BRIGADE (BfSB):

Battlefield Surveillance Brigades (BfSB) provide the
military intelligence collection, exploitation, counter-
intelligence, reconnaissance, surveillance, target
acquisition, operational intelligence and human
intelligence capabilities that may be required in a given
operational environment.

The basic Brigade structure consists of the

headquarters and support elements, a communications
element, a Military Intelligence (MI) battalion, a
Reconnaissance and Surveillance battalion, and a Long
Range Surveillance company. Only Active Component
BfSBs have two (2) MI battalions.

Additionally, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS),

attack aviation, cavalry units and SOF can also be operationally linked to the Brigade as needed. BfSBs are
apportioned as required by operational conditions.

COMBAT AVIATION BRIGADE (Variations): The slide on the next page depicts the
basic structure of a Combat Aviation Brigade. The Aviation Brigade is expansible and able to be tailored to
the mission by acceptance of various numbers and types of aviation units. Aviation assets protect maneuver

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Organization of the US Army (Army 101) Primer

elements and provide multi-dimensional aviation support, including sufficient organic capability to conduct
battalion-sized vertical maneuver and sustainment.

Aviation Brigades are organized multi-functionally

with Reconnaissance, Attack, Lift, General Support and
Aviation Support Battalions. Aviation Brigades may
accept other branch enablers and BCTs when required.
They can also fully integrate into all operations of the
supported BCT(s) as well as operate in support of
Division or Corps assets.

Combat Aviation Brigades are normally

apportioned to maneuver forces as required by
operational demand.

CAB (Heavy): CAB(H) provides support to

maneuver BCTs using pure or task-organized unit to conduct multiple independent missions including
Reconnaissance, Security, Movement to Contact, Attack, Air Assault, Air Movement, C2 Support,
Aeromedical Evacuation, Casualty Evacuation and Personnel Recovery. It has two attack battalions and no
attack / reconnaissance squadrons.

CAB (Medium): CAB(M) provides support to maneuver BCTs using pure or task-organized unit to
conduct multiple independent missions including Reconnaissance, Security, Movement to Contact, Attack,
Air Assault, Air Movement, C2 Support, Aeromedical Evacuation, Casualty Evacuation and Personnel
Recovery. It has one attack battalion and one attack / reconnaissance squadron with OH -58D helicopters.

CAB (Light): CAB(L) provides support to maneuver BCTs using pure or task-organized units to
conduct multiple independent missions including Reconnaissance, Security, Movement to Contact, Attack,
Air Assault, Air Movement, C2 Support, Aeromedical Evacuation, Casualty Evacuation, and Personnel
Recovery. It has no attack battalions. However it has two attack /reconnaissance squadrons with OH -58D
helicopters.

CAB (Full Spectrum): The CAB(FS) is an Army National Guard (ARNG) organization designed to
find, fix, and destroy enemy forces using maneuver to concentrate and sustain combat power at the critical
time and place, as an integrated member of the combined arms team. The CAB(FS) supports an ARNG
Division. CAB(FS) has one attack battalion and one (1) security and support battalion with LUH-72
helicopters.

SUSTAINMENT BRIGADE: The

Sustainment Brigade plans, coordinates, synchronizes,
monitors, and controls sustainment within its assigned
Area of Operations. The area of operation may be in
support of a Division headquarters or an Army Service
Component Command (ASCC). The Sustainment Brigade
is a modular, tailorable organization comprised of both
functional and multifunctional subordinates CSS units.
It is a single CSS management structure capable of
providing sustainment management and distribution

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Organization of the US Army (Army 101) Primer

based logistics support from maneuver brigade to Theater Support Commands (TSCs).

Designed as a multi-functional headquarters only with no fixed substructure

 Commands and controls sustainment assets for a Division, Corps or multi -national force HQ
 Headquarters designed around multifunctional operations/plans section capable of managing the
full range of sustainment assets.
 May or may not have organic signal company.
 Foundation to create modular, tailorable, scalable SUSTAINMENT force
 Subordinate assets drawn from force pool (no fixed subordinate structure)

FUNCTIONAL SUPPORT BRIGADES: This category of organizations include: Air

Defense Artillery, Chemical, Engineer, Military Intelligence, Military Police, Military Police (CID), Signal,
Ordnance (EOD), Medical, Regional Support Groups (RSG), and Theater Aviation Brigade (TAB).

Functional Support Brigades & Commands (Combines Echelon Above

Brigade (EAB) Enabler Functions). Command (CMD) and Brigade (BDE) are used below.
ASCC: Army Service Component Command CHEM: Chemical MI: Military Intelligence
AAMDC: Air and Missile Defense CMD CSB: Contracting Support Brigade MP: Military Police (CMD/BDE)
ENG: Engineer MP/CID: Military Police/Criminal
AFSB: Army Field Support Brigade
Investigation Division
ACR: Armored Calvary Regiment FIRES: Field Artillery OD: Ordinance
OD/EOD: Ordinance/Explosive Ordnance
ADA: Air Defense Artillery GMD: Global Missile Defense
Detachment
AVN: Aviation HVY BCT: Heavy Brigade Combat Team RSG: Regional Support Group
BCT: Brigade Combat Team INF BCT: Infantry Brigade Combat Team SBCT: Stryker Brigade Combat Team
BfSB: Battlefield Surveillance Brigade IO: Information Operations SIG: Signal (Commands/Brigades)
CA: Civil Affairs MDSC: Medical Deployment Support
TAVN: Theater Aviation (Brigade)
Command
Cbt Avn: Combat Aviation Brigades MEB: Maneuver Enhancement Brigade
Theater Aviation Sustainment (TASM-G)
(CS)
CBRNE: Chemical Biological Radiological
MED: Medical (Command/Brigade)
Nuclear & High Yield Explosive

AIR DEFENSE ARTILLERY BRIGADE:. Provides

command, control, staff planning and supervision of units
attached to the brigade. Provides control of ADA fires by use
of electronic or manual fire distribution systems. Provides
the fire coordination interface between subordinate air
defense units and the Regional or Sector Air Defense
Commands (RADC/SADC) via the organic Air Defense Artillery
Fire Coordination Operations (ADAFCO) section.

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CHEMICAL BRIGADE: The Chemical Brigade Headquarters

provides command, control and supervision for the operation of two
to six subordinate chemical battalions, staff planning and
coordination required in support of Chemical, Biological, Radiological,
and Nuclear (CBRN) reconnaissance, decontamination, biological
detection and smoke operations within the Corps or Theater area of
operations. The Chemical Brigade normally collocates with the
supported unit's headquarters.

ENGINEER BRIGADE: The Engineer Brigade plans,

integrates, and directs execution of engineer missions. The
brigade headquarters is capable of providing command and
control for 3-5 mission tailored engineer battalions to provide
mobility support in support of force application, focused
logistics, or protection at the Joint Task Force / Army Service
Component
Command .

MILITARY INTELLIGENCE BRIGADE: The MI

Brigade provides C2 for assigned and attached units;
Intelligence & Electronic Warfare (IEW) support for battle
management to Joint and Allied commands, theater rear
operations, and the sustaining base.

MILITARY POLICE BRIGADE: THE MILITARY POLICE BRIGADE

PROVIDES COMMAND AND CONTROL AND COORDINATES OPERATIONS OF ALL MP
AND OTHER ASSIGNED OR ATTACHED UNITS .
THE BRIGADE IS CAPABLE OF STAFF
PLANNING AND SUPERVISION FOR 2-6 MP BATTALIONS .WHEN WITHOUT AN
MP COMMAND, FUNCTIONS AS JOINT FORCE COMMANDER’S C OMMANDER OF
DETAINEE OPERATIONS AND IS AUGMENTED WITH A THEATER DETENTION
REPORTING CENTER (TDRC).

MILITARY POLICE BRIGADE (CID): The CID Group

provides command, control, and staff supervision over all CID
elements within the Theater of operations. Additionally, the CID
Group must provide the same level of support to non-deployed
units whose real world mission is on or near Army installations.

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Organization of the US Army (Army 101) Primer

SIGNAL BRIGADE: The Signal Brigade provides

command and control to assigned and attached units,
planning and engineering for tactical C4 services,
supervises the installation, operation, and maintenance of
communications in support of the Theater Army, Army
Support to other Services (ASOS), coalition, and
augmentation to the Corps/Division. There are two types of
Signal Brigades
‒ Theater Tactical Signal Brigade (TTSB)
‒ Theater Strategic Signal Brigade (TSSB)

EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL (EOD) GROUP: To

plan, direct, coordinate, and control all Explosive Ordnance
Disposal (EOD) assets and operations in a theater. Command,
control, and staff planning of two to six assigned or attached EOD
battalions. Manage unexploded ordnance (UXO) incidents in its
control areas and coordinate and operate the UXO reporting
system. Provide EOD support and staff planning to all land areas
throughout a joint area of operations (JOA). Provide EOD support
on the CONUS land mass area to include Homeland defense,
provide military support to civil authorities, coordinate with FBI
and other Federal agencies who manage the Arson and
Explosives Incidents System (AEXIS).

MEDICAL BRIGADE: The Medical Brigade provides

command & control & coordinates operations of all medical and
other assigned or attached medical units. Provides medical
consultation services & technical advice. The brigade is capable of
staff planning & supervision for 2-6 subordinate battalions or
battalion equivalents.

REGIONAL SUPPORT GROUP (RSG): Provide Command

and Control (C2) structure for the operation of Forward Operating
Bases (FOBs) or base camps; and provide/manage security, internal
terrain management, administrative and logistical support, base
operations and movement control, within the area of responsibility.
Provide command and control, structure for limited contingency
operations and Homeland Defense / Homeland Security (HLD/HLS)
consequence management and domestic response. Provide
command, control and supervision of assigned or attached units.
Prior to mobilization, assist Active Component/ Reserve Component
(AC/RC) units in meeting training, readiness and deployment
requirements (Peacetime).

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THEATER AVIATION BRIGADE (TAB): The Theater

Aviation Brigade (TAB) provides support to the Corps and Echelon
above Corps level using pure or task-organized units to provide lift,
cargo, MEDEVAC, limited Air Assault, C2 Support, Casualty
Evacuation, and Personnel Recovery. TAB has 1 Fixed Wing (FW) Bn
and three Theater General Support Aviation Battalions (GSAB)s.
There are two HH-60 MEDEVAC Companies in each Theater GSAB
(one in the Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) GSAB)

SPECIAL FUNCTIONAL BRIGADES:

This category of organizations include: Army Field Support Brigade (AFSB), Contracting Support Brigade
(CSB), Ground-Based Midcourse Defense Brigade(GMD), Theater Information Operations Group (TIOG),
Space, CYBER and Theater Aviation Sustainment Maintenance Group (TASM -G).

ARMY FIELD SUPPORT BRIGADE: Integrates U.S. Army Materiel Command (USAMC) acquisition,
logistics and technology (ALT) capabilities in support of the operational and tactical level commanders across the
Conflict Continuum of military operations. This includes coordinating for ALT strategic reach capabilities via a
technical reach or call-forward process.

CONTRACTING SUPPORT BRIGADE (CSB): The CSB is the primary operational contract support
planner, advisor and contracting commander to the Army Service Component Command (ASCC). The CSB, through
contracting authority delegated by the Expeditionary Contracting Command (ECC), executes theater support
contracting actions in support of deployed Army forces (ARFOR) and coordinates other common contracting
actions as directed by the ECC, ARFOR commander, and the senior sustainment command in the Area of
Operations (AO).

GROUND-BASED MIDCOURSE DEFENSE BRIGADE (GMD): Unit mission is to provide command

and control of tactical forces to detect, identify, and eliminate ballistic missiles launched intentionally or
unintentionally at the U.S. or its allies. GMD Brigade HQ Provides:
 C2 of the Brigade and subordinate units
 staff planning and supervision of GMD operations
 training of assigned and attached units Unit does not perform field level maintenance on organic
equipment.

THEATER INFORMATION OPERATIONS GROUP (TIOG): Deploys in theater providing Information Operations
(IO) planning, preparation, execution and assessment capabilities to the ASCC to support employment of
information as an element of combat power. Provides regionally focused, culturally aware IO support; focused IO
analysis and assessment; OPSEC support elements; IO Forward Support Teams (FSTs); military deception planning;
and embedded Computer Network Defense (CND). Direct IO planning, preparation, execution and assessment
support during all phase of operations and IO targeting support to Fires Effect Cells.

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SPACE: Unit mission is to provide command, control and supervision of the operation of the brigade and
assigned or attached units. Space Brigade HQ Provides:
• C2 of the Brigade and subordinate units
• staff planning and supervision of multi-functional Space operations at the national and strategic level.
• training of assigned and attached units Unit does not perform field level maintenance on organic
equipment.

CYBER BRIGADE: Cyberspace Operations Brigade conducts Cyber Warfare operations in order to achieve
the support commander’s effects on the operating environment as well as to ensure US/allied freedom of
maneuver in cyberspace and to deny the same to adversaries by leveraging current Signals Intelligence (SIGINT),
close access for exploitation and attack, providing remote cyberspace operations, providing robust intelligence
support for operations to enable Computer Network Defense (CND)/ Computer Network Defense Response Action
(CNDRA), providing Subject Matter Expert (SME) for tool/capacity testing and development, and supporting the
development, testing and employment of Army Special Access Programs (SAP) capabilities.

THEATER AVIATION SUSTAINMENT MAINTENANCE GROUP (TASM-G): Deploys to a theater of

operations to provide fixed base dedicated theater aviation sustainment/depot (-) capability (logistics,
maintenance and other essential aviation sustainment) support to the Combatant Commander across the full
Range of Military Operations (ROMO).

SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES (SOF): The organizations within SOF are: Civil Affairs (CA)
Brigade, Military Information Support Operations (MISO) Group, Ranger Regiment, Sustainment Brigade
(Special Operations) (Airborne) [SB (SO)(A)], Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), and Special Force
Group (Airborne) [SFG(A)]. SOF has been involved in all aspects of land operations for the Army, especially
during recent combat and support operations. Office of the Secretary of Defense has directed growth
within the SOF force structure over the current Programmed Years.

The Army Ranger Regiment is a one of a kind organization “ associated” with the SOF force structure.

GENERATING FORCE – SPECIAL MISSION: The 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment

(ACR), located at the National Training Center (NTC), FT. Irwin,
CA is the designated “Opposing Force”. 11th ACR has a
special augmentation Table of Distribution and Allowances
(Aug TDA) containing Visual Modifications Kits to portray the
enemy equipment during force on force training events. The
11th ACR is trained in enemy operations and tactics, wear
enemy uniforms and perform offensive and defensive
operations as the Opposing Force (OPFOR).

OPERATING FORCE – SPECIAL MISSION:

The 3rd US Infantry Regiment (the Old Guard) provides
ceremonial support to the Secretary of the Army within
the Military District of Washington. Note: Portions of
the Old Guard have deployed during Operation Iraqi
Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF)

ARMY PREPOSITION STOCK (APS): Army

Positional Stock (APS) is continuously modernized and adjusted based on changes to the Combatant

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Organization of the US Army (Army 101) Primer

Commanders’ operational plans, modernization of the force through Total Army Analysis, providing changes
in the density of the equipment, projected operational requirements, Basis of Issues Plans ( BOIPs) and
fielding schedules.

FUTURE FORCE
AMERICA’S ARMY - THE NATION’S FORCE OF DECISIVE ACTION

A Leaner Army
The Army is committed to providing Combatant Commanders with the capabilities, capacity and diversity
needed to be successful across a wide range of operations. With a leaner Army, we have to prioritize and also
remain capable of meeting a wide range of security requirements. We will reduce in a manner that preserves our
readiness and avoids any hollowing of the force. To satisfy this enduring requirement, we have three rheostats
that must be continuously assessed and adjusted: total-strength/force structure, readiness and
modernization. We will balance these three foundational imperatives throughout the next several years to
provide Combatant Commanders trained and ready forces in support of Joint Force 2020.

Force Structure and Force Design

The Army will maintain a versatile mix of tailorable and networked organizations, operating on a rotational
cycle, to continue providing a sustained flow of trained and ready forces for the full range of military operations.
This will give Combatant Commanders a hedge against unexpected contingencies and enable a sustainable tempo
for our all-volunteer force. Over the next five years, the Army will decrease its total-strength from a peak
authorized strength of about 570,000 to 490,000 Active Army, 358,000 to 353,500 Army National Guard and
206,000 to 205,000 Army Reserve Soldiers as directed. Reducing our total-strength over a deliberate ramp
through the end of fiscal year 2017 allows the Army to take care of Soldiers, Families and Civilians; to continue
meeting our commitments in Afghanistan; and to facilitate reversibility in an uncertain strategic environment. An
unpredictable and dynamic global security environment requires the Army, as a force in transition, to adjust and
reduce its size while remaining flexible, capable and ready to meet the Nation’s requirements and maintaining an

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Organization of the US Army (Army 101) Primer

ability to reverse course to readily expand if necessary. In accordance with the new defense priorities, the Army
of 2020 must have a versatile mix of capabilities, formations and equipment that is lethal, agile, adaptable and
responsive. As the Army transitions from the current force to a leaner force, it will do so while remaining engaged
in the current conflicts. The Army will prioritize force structure and committed assets in the Pacific Region and the
Middle East, and will shape the future force to support the Army’s requirements as part of the Joint Force to fulfill
the Nation’s strategic and operational commitments. The Army will optimize force structure to maintain
reversibility, and achieve maximum operational strategic flexibility. Today we plan on reducing at least 8 active
component Brigade Combat Teams (BCT); however, we continue to assess the design and mix of these modular
formations based upon the lessons from the last ten years of combat while looking to the future. This analysis may
lead to a decision to reorganize BCTs into more capable and robust formations, requiring further BCT reductions in
order to increase overall versatility and agility for tomorrow’s security challenges.(see the Army Force
Management Model Primer: www.afms1.belvoir.army.mil /files/primers/). As the Army’s active component
reduces in size, the composition of combat support and combat service support enablers in the active and reserve
components will be adjusted to give the Army the ability to conduct sustained operations, and to mitigate risk.
The Army will continue to rely on the reserve components to provide key enablers and operational depth. An
operational reserve comprised of a discrete set of capabilities combined with an enhanced level of readiness will
be essential. This force will consist of three elements: select combat formations prepared to respond to crisis;
combat support and combat service support enablers employed early in support of operational plans; and forces
aligned to support steady-state Combatant Commander requirements. Ensured access to the reserve component
is essential to providing the operational depth and flexibility Combatant Commanders require.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FUTURE FORCE

Depth and Versatility: The Army provides depth to the Nation by a trained and ready land force that includes a
viable operational reserve. Reversibility and expansibility of the force also contribute to strategic depth. The
Army’s diverse mix of rapidly deployable capabilities, formations and
equipment ensures versatility for the Joint Force. It is imperative
that the Army provide the National Command Authority with
scalable options to meet the Nation’s security needs in a complex,
dynamic and uncertain global environment.

Adaptive and Innovative: Army leaders accept that there are no

predetermined solutions to problems. Army leaders adapt their
thinking, formations and employment techniques to the specific
situation they face. This requires an adaptable and innovative mind,
a willingness to accept prudent risk in unfamiliar or rapidly changing
situations, and an ability to adjust based on continuous assessment.
Accordingly, thorough understanding and wise application of
cultural knowledge and language skills are tantamount to our
success. So too are training, leader development and personnel
policies aimed at fostering creativity at every level.

Flexible and Agile: To achieve strategic, operational, and tactical

success, we must be flexible in the face of adversity and agile in our responsiveness, able to dominate any
operational environment against conventional and hybrid threats. Flexibility is achieved by preserving
responsiveness to a broad range of missions including regular and irregular warfare; humanitarian assistance;
security cooperation; and support to civil authorities. Effective mission command, collaborative planning and
decentralized execution foster agility.

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Integrated and Synchronized: Army forces do not operate independently but as a part of a larger joint,
interagency and frequently multinational effort. Army leaders integrate and synchronize Army operations within
this larger effort. The arrangement of military actions in time, space and purpose produces maximum relative
combat power at a decisive place and time.

Lethal and Discriminate: The capacity for physical destruction is fundamental to all other military capabilities
and is the most basic building block for military operations. Army leaders organize, equip, train and employ their
formations for unmatched lethality under a wide range of conditions. The capability for the lawful, discriminate,
and expert application of lethal force builds the foundation for effective operations.

SUMMARY
The Army is a unique structure of organizations focused on one goal: fighting and winning our nation’s wars.
The Army is one component of the armed forces of the United States. Its expertise is sustained land combat and
Conflict Continuum operations. All organizations of the Army perform certain roles, functions, and missions.
The Army consists of two major portions. The first is the Army Headquarters and those organizations which
produce and sustain the second portion. The deployable “OPERATING FORCE” (OF) is assigned as Army
components to the U.S. Unified Combatant Commands. The “GENERATING FORCE” (GF) is the production and
sustaining base organizations and the Army Headquarters. They are responsible for recruiting, training, equipping
and maintaining, organizing, mobilizing/demobilizing and administering those forces to be provided to the
combatant commanders.
The combatant commands are the DoD high visibility mission-executing units. Their success is dependent on
proficient, timely and responsive execution of functions by the Generating Force. No one organization or group of
organizations can be successful without the others. Intrinsic to each organization are the active and reserve
Soldiers, civilians, contractors and leaders who make up uniformed service members and their Department of the
Army civilian peers. Equally important is the infrastructure support required by the Army and provided by family
members, industrial suppliers, and local communities.

References:
Department of the Army Field Manual 1-02 “OPERATIONAL TERMS AND GRAPHICS”
Department of the Army Pamphlet 10-1 (14 June 1994) “ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY”
Office of the Chief Legislative Liaison, Brief, “Final Package Army 101 Papers” dated 25 May 2010
Office of the Chief Legislative Liaison, Brief, “Army 101” updated 16 November 2010.
DCS, G-37, “Mod Force Leader Book” 2012
Website http://www.army.mil/symbols/armyranks.html, Army.mil Features, “U.S. Army Symbols & Insignia”
2012 Army Posture Statement. WWW.ARMY.MIL/APS/12

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