Leadership: August 23, 2002

Archives

In the wake of Gulf War disputes over the effectiveness of National Guard combat units, the U.S. Army established Enhanced Brigades in 1993. These fifteen infantry, tank and artillery brigades were meant as a backup for active Army units during wartime. These brigades receive more training, personnel and equipment than other National Guard units. Enhanced Brigades are supposed to be ready for deployment within 90 days. The brigades trained hard through the 1990s and scored higher and higher in their readiness tests each year. Although often short of men because of recruiting problems (a strong economy and declining interest in the military), the Enhanced Brigades continually increased their combat readiness. It was also discovered, to no one's surprise, that the Enhanced Brigades were better at peacekeeping missions (because the National Guards troops were older than active duty troops and spent most of their time as civilians.) But getting activated for peacekeeping duty was not popular with these reserve troops. They signed on to be activated for war, not peacekeeping. Then came September 11, 2001, and the decision to lock down military bases. Except during World War II, most U.S. military bases were pretty wide open. Now they were to be made a lot more "secure." This required thousands of additional troops for "gate guard" duty. Naturally, reserve and National Guard troops were called up for this. Again, the Enhanced Brigades were favored, because they were the best trained and led. But the troops in the Enhanced Brigades were getting discouraged. They joined these brigades for the chance to train long and hard for war, not peacekeeping and permanent guard duty. The discontent is bubbling up, and the brass are beginning to notice fewer enlistments, or re-enlistments. Whether the generals can come up with a solution is another matter entirely.



 


Article Archive

Leadership: Current 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 


X

ad
0
20

Help Keep Us Soaring

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling. We need your help in reversing that trend. We would like to add 20 new subscribers this month.

Each month we count on your subscriptions or contributions. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage. A contribution is not a donation that you can deduct at tax time, but a form of crowdfunding. We store none of your information when you contribute..
Subscribe   Contribute   Close