Preparing for the Future: The Regional Alignment of U.S. Army Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs) - Capacity Building, Alliance Building, Lessons Learned, Joint Doctrine, Strategy and Tactics

The U.S. Army is regionally aligning its Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs) after a decade of continuous operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. This study examines the impact of regionally aligning BCTs with Geographic Combatant Commands. This study began by first surveying literature published by the Department of Defense, the Army, and national security scholars published in the last ten years. Second, the author conducted a survey of designated Brigade Commanders and Command Sergeants Major attending the Fort Leavenworth Pre-Command Course to receive expert feedback on the impact regional alignment will have on the training and readiness of BCTs. Finally, this study examined the after action reports three BCTs that deployed to OIF to evaluate the impact of regional training on their mission readiness. The information collected confirmed that the Army should regionally align its BCTs because the concept will make BCTs more effective at the tactical level as well as increase the Army's relevance in the future security environment.

ACRONYMS * CHAPTER 1 * INTRODUCTION * Background * Research Question * Assumptions * Definitions * Scope and Delimitations * Significance of the Study * Conclusion * CHAPTER 2 * LITERATURE REVIEW * Introduction * Prevent, Shape, Win * Capacity Building * Alliance Building * Lessons Learned * Joint Doctrine * U.S. Army Doctrine * Conclusion * CHAPTER 3 * RESEARCH METHODOLOGY * Introduction * Research Design * Methods Used to Obtain Information * Evaluation Criteria * Conclusion * CHAPTER 4 * DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS * Introduction * Results of Research * Primary Research Question * Likely Threats * Other Options * More Effective BCTs * Strategic Level * Tactical Level * Official AARs * Conclusion * CHAPTER 5 * CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. * Introduction * Interpretation of Findings * Recommendations for Further Research * Conclusion * GLOSSARY * APPENDIX A * REGIONALLY ALIGNED BRIGADE COMBAT TEAMS SURVEY * Survey Demographics * Survey Part 1 - Regional Alignment Questions * What impact will regional BCT training alignment have on those indicators of success? * What impact will maintaining current BCT training have on those indicators of success? * Survey Part 4 - Open Ended Question * REFERENCE LIST