White Paper 1984 Light Infantry Divisions
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r I ·,·I . I ") I Chief of Staff, US Army I I I I • 1 White Paper 198.4 I I I' : ILIGHT INFANTRY DIVISIONS 3S6.1 US6~l c 2~ LIBR:ARY USA ~ FT IfAVENWOOH KAN ACXI6SION 00._- POR£GtSTR -~ 3C I I 1 I , U 5~,:' C. ~ It is important for all of us to recognize the geo-strategic value as UNITED STATES ARMY ~ell as battlefield utility of the light infantry division concept. The THE CHIEF OF STAFF concept has releva~ce.because it involv:s deve~opment o~ not only highly 16 April 1984 deployable, hard h1tt1ng combat units w1th a h1gher rat10 of combat to support capabilities but also lighter, technologically current equipment and resources. The smallest Active Army in 34 years requires an Army of Excellence which optimizes combat power. TO: The Soldiers and Civilians of the United States Army If we seize this concept with conviction, innovativeness, and v1s10n, the Army's landpower will increase and, as a result, playa more significant role in future US national security. This White Paper provides direction for the development of the finest /) /\ light infantry divisions the US Army can field. ( fl~l\;k~ Army leadership is convinced, based on careful examination of studies J N A. WICKHAM, JR. which postulate the kind of world in which we will be living and the i '.. Ge eral, United States Army i Ch ef of Staff nature of conflict we can expect to face, that an important need exists \........ for highly trained, rapidly deployable light forces. The British actiOQ 1 in the Falkland Islands, Israeli operations in Lebanon, and our recent success in Grenada confirm that credible forces do not always have to b. heavy forces. Accordingly, we have committed ourselves to creating a ntt light infantry division structure beginning with the 7th Infantry Division at Fort Ord. This 10,000(+) man force will have a greater tooth-to-tail ratio than a~ of our other Army divisions and will be deployable worldwide three times faster than existing infantry divisions. It will be an offensively oriented, highly responsive division organized for a wide range of missions worldwide, particu~arly where close fighting terrain exists. "Soldier Power" will make the light infantry division uniquely effective. Soldier power is developed through thorough, rigorous training, physical and mental toughness, excellence in basic infantry skills, and competent, resourceful leadership. We must take advantage of innovative training techniques and integrate lightweight, high-technolog, equipment into the division to give our soldiers a crucial edge over their opponents. We must eliminate the training detractors which would keep us from building the world's finest infantry units, and we must provide a concerned command climate that cares for our soldiers and thei family members. The 7th Infantry Division conversion must be successful, since it will I serve as the blueprint for other light divisions. We must factor in the lessons learned from the COHORT experience and insure that we are developing cohesive, hard hitting units capable of bold, independent, decisive action. 2 --rr--------------------,·--..z / No government will be disposed to violate our rights if it knows that we have the means and are I . ~I' c,ombat pow~r and ~us~ainabi~ity •. In such situatio~s h.ght infantry divisions prepared and resolved to defend them. I can be ass1gned m1SS10ns wh1ch w1ll free up mechan1zed and armored elements ~ for decisive employment elsewhere on the battlefield. James Monroe t ~I Division operations will be characterized by flexibility both in tactical ~ deployment and organization for combat. Light infantry fo:ces will habitually ~operate as combined arms teams with organic engineers, a~t111ery, aviation, The Need for Light Infantry Divisions */and air defense. When suitably augmented and task organ1zed for the mission, . , they will be capable of operating independently at bri~ade, battalion, and Dur1ng.the last 10 years, th~ Total Army has deliberately forged a force I company levels. In addition, they can be reinfo:ced w1th, or can themselves th~t can f1~ht ~utnumbered ~nd W1~ across the broad spectrum of conflict. .1 reinforce, airborne, air ass~ult, special operat10ns, armored or mechanized Th1s mode:n1zat10n program 1S mak1ng the force tougher, more resilient, and l forces. more f~ex1ble. Recently, the Army accelerated the next step in this .. ev~lu~10nar~ process by adopting a new light infantry division structure. Superb leaders, fighting soldiers, and tough tra1n1ng will be their Th1s 1S a t1mely decision based on threat analysis, recent historic lessons hallmarks. Leaders at every level will be masters of the profession of learned, and resource constraints. arms--experts at skilled reconnaissance, resourceful planning and violent execution. They will demand the highest levels of performance and discipline Light infantry divisions will add a new dimension to the strategic from their subordinates. They will establish a challenging command climate mobility of Army Forces. From bases in United States, these divisions will ~ and serve as the role models for tactical and technical proficiency, physical capable of rapidly reinforcing forward deployed US Forces in NATO or the Far i fitness, and ethical behavior. But above all, the leaders will have the high Eas~. They will also b~ available for contingencies elsewhere, including :i personal courage to inspire in their subordinates the respect and daring reg10ns of the world wh1ch lack a developed support infrastructure. t essential for victory under arms. Their rapid deployability will enable them to arrive in a crisis area The soldiers in these units will have confidence in their leaders, their before a conflict begins. By demonstrating US resolve and capability, they • equipment, their comrades--and themselves. By their performance in initial may well prevent the outbreak of war. This is particularly so where low to entry and subsequent training, they will have earned their positions in the mid intensity conflict threatens, when their presence could decisively affect~ unit. They will have the skill and the will to train hard and learn. All of t~e.o~tcome: And because of their strategic mobility, these light infantry . this we must assure if the light divisions are to achieve their missions. d1v1s10ns w1ll help reassure our friends and allies--and deter our adversaries even as they go about their normal training activities in the United States But it takes units--the combination of leaders and soldiers--to win or in overseas locations. battles. Light infantry forces will be high performance units, capable of bold, aggressive action under.condit~ons of grea~ hardshi~ ~nd.r~sk. Training · will be the crucial catalyst 1n form1ng these un1ts. Tra1n1ng w11l be The Characteristics of Light Infantry Divisions f Icontinuous, imaginative, and vigorous. Teamwork within squads, platoon and · companies, teamwork between maneuver and supporting arms, and teamwork between To deter, light infantry divisions must be able to fight--anytime, ground and air elements will be the product. The result will be "soldier anywhere, and against any opponent. , power"--the synergistic combination of concerned, compete~t leaders an~ well trained soldiers which will make light infantry forces un1quely effect1ve. This demanding mission requires the highest degree of tactical ~xcell~nce. Th~se will be offensively-oriented units. Especially in low The light infantry division will be equipped for the ~ission. Hig~ . 1nten~1ty ~onf~1~t! t~ey will be able to seek out and destroy the enemy on hi, technology will be used to enhance command and control, f1repower, na~1gat10n terra1n uS1ng 1n1t1at1ve, stealth and surprise. Attacks by infiltration air and night" vision and air and ground mobility. The concept of develop1ng assault, ambush, and raid will be the norm. Light infantry divisions wiil be "lightness" in equipment and combat resources will become an integral part of "terrain-using" forces, expert in camouflage, skilled in counter-mobility the Army's acquisition process. Equipment design will be orie~ted tow~r~ tech~iques, and ~u~c~ to, seize ad~antages afforded by their tough and sPirited.1 reduced size and weight for reasons of both strategic and tact1cal mob1l1ty. sold1ers. The d1v1s10ns forte w1ll be operating at night or under condition. of limited visibility. Even on defensive missions in close terrain or This division will take maximum advantage of transfers of high technology built-up areas, light infantry forces will habitually ambush, attack, and conceptJ and equipment from the 9th Infantry Division, Motoriz~d. Soldiers. counter attack. and leaders will have confidence in the reliability and effect1veness of the1r equipment. In mid to high intensity scenarios such as Southwest Asia or NATO, light infantry forces may be augmented with tailored Corps units to strengthen their \, 2 Having the right people in the right structure, with the right skills and) The regimental system will be implemented in all light infantry divisions equipment, properly trained and led, and formed into cohesive units, the light to coincide with unit activations. Light infantry battalions will rotate to infantry division will leave its bootprint wherever the mission requires. overseas locations when commonality of these units has been achieved. Repetitive tours for officers and NCO's will be encouraged to enhance cohesion, training, and combat readiness. Affiliation of training base units The Formation of the Light Infantry Divisions with light infantry regiments will be studied to improve the effectiveness of I initial entry training and unit cohesion. The light infantry division initiative cannot be "business as usual." The) divisions must reach maturity quickly. Their mission is to be ready to . fight. Many of the concepts of light infantry already are time proven. While) Training the Light Infantry Divisions. Training constitutes the most change will occur during evolution of the light infantry concept, it will be critical element of our light infantry blueprint.