- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 410
And another thing.... ;D
Comments on how big a Bde HQ shouldn't, IMHO, be based on looking at the current JTF(A) HQ as a model. Although it is a "Brigade-like" HQ, it is very big (the last one I was involved training with was about 150 or so), and it has a span of control and area of interest MUCH larger than the simple little "beef and two veg" manoeuvre Bdes that I learned about in Staff College back in the Cold War days. As an example, when we briefed the structure, role and functions of JTF(A) HQ to our US counterparts in US Army Battle Command Training Programme, their reaction was that the US Army would use a Div HQ, not a Bde HQ, to cover that wide a waterfront.
JTF(A) is way too big to use as a realistic model for a standard Bde HQ structure.
On the other hand, I was also involved in doing some Level 7 training for both 2 CMBG HQ and 1 CMBG HQ (not in connection with Aghanistan). I found that both of these HQs (2 CMBG in particular), were neither established nor manned anything like what they needed to be for modern operations in which much more happens at Bde and Bn than I think we traditionally ever envisioned. Some combat capabilities that we now accept as a standard part of operations, such as Influence Activity, Fires, Plans and Information Management were either weak or absent in their structures. (No slight intended-both HQs were filled by excellent people doing their best and making things happen)
In my opinion, it isn't that modern conflict is more complex(-that IMHO is a conceit of our times)-but that we (and by "we" I include the US Army with its "brigade-based" structure") are attempting to do much more at lower levels than we ever envisioned, with the result that staff structures need to reflect that increased demand.
And, sorry, but I don't buy the "RMA" argument that the digitization of information handling, or of C2, has somehow enabled us to cut the number of people we need. The more information that is pouring in to a HQ, the more intelligent, trained and capable human beings you need to make sense out of it so that the Comd (who, let's remember, this is all for...) can avoid drowning or info paralysis.
Cheers
Comments on how big a Bde HQ shouldn't, IMHO, be based on looking at the current JTF(A) HQ as a model. Although it is a "Brigade-like" HQ, it is very big (the last one I was involved training with was about 150 or so), and it has a span of control and area of interest MUCH larger than the simple little "beef and two veg" manoeuvre Bdes that I learned about in Staff College back in the Cold War days. As an example, when we briefed the structure, role and functions of JTF(A) HQ to our US counterparts in US Army Battle Command Training Programme, their reaction was that the US Army would use a Div HQ, not a Bde HQ, to cover that wide a waterfront.
JTF(A) is way too big to use as a realistic model for a standard Bde HQ structure.
On the other hand, I was also involved in doing some Level 7 training for both 2 CMBG HQ and 1 CMBG HQ (not in connection with Aghanistan). I found that both of these HQs (2 CMBG in particular), were neither established nor manned anything like what they needed to be for modern operations in which much more happens at Bde and Bn than I think we traditionally ever envisioned. Some combat capabilities that we now accept as a standard part of operations, such as Influence Activity, Fires, Plans and Information Management were either weak or absent in their structures. (No slight intended-both HQs were filled by excellent people doing their best and making things happen)
In my opinion, it isn't that modern conflict is more complex(-that IMHO is a conceit of our times)-but that we (and by "we" I include the US Army with its "brigade-based" structure") are attempting to do much more at lower levels than we ever envisioned, with the result that staff structures need to reflect that increased demand.
And, sorry, but I don't buy the "RMA" argument that the digitization of information handling, or of C2, has somehow enabled us to cut the number of people we need. The more information that is pouring in to a HQ, the more intelligent, trained and capable human beings you need to make sense out of it so that the Comd (who, let's remember, this is all for...) can avoid drowning or info paralysis.
Cheers