Publication: FA Journal
Publication Date: 01-SEP-06
Delivery: Immediate Online Access
Author: Baker, Annie
Article Excerpt
The Chief of Staff of the Army (CSA) General Peter J. Schoomaker recently directed that Field Artillerymen and Engineers be considered for DA selection to command brigade combat teams (BCTs)--Stryker BCTs (SBCTs), Infantry BCTs (IBCTs) and Heavy BCTs (HBCTs)--along with Infantry and Armor officers, starting with the 2008 board.
As articles in this magazine have documented since the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) began, Field Artillerymen have been commanding not only maneuver BCTs in the war, but also maneuver task forces very successfully along side their maneuver brethren. In fact, the majority of FA battalion commanders in Central Command (CENTCOM) are commanding/have commanded maneuver task forces Some of those task forces have been responsible for the most dangerous sections of their brigades' areas of operations (AOs).
This article discusses the experiences and professional development of Field Artillerymen that prepare them to command BCTs successfully. I understand that many Engineers also have commanded motorized infantry units in GWOT--hence the CSA's directive. However, a discussion of the Engineers' command experience in GWOT and professional development preparing them for BCT commands is out of my expertise and a subject for another article in another magazine.
The CSA's decision to expand the eligibility for BCT commands to FA and Engineer officers supports his philosophy of developing Pentathletes and giving them wider opportunities to use their skills and talents for the good of the Army.
There are a number of reasons why some Field Artillerymen will make excellent BCT commanders, not the least of which is, they already have made excellent BCT commanders.
Field Artillerymen have commanded motorized infantry BCTs and task forces successfully in CENTCOM. Four division artillery (Div Arty) commanders served successfully in recent times as BCT commanders, one in Afghanistan and three in Iraq--BCTs in the 4th Infantry, 25th Infantry, 1st Infantry and 1st Cavalry Divisions. (1) In addition, the 82d Airborne Div Arty commander recently stood up and commanded the 4th BCT in the at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. (2)
I comfortably can say that the majority of FA and fires battalion commanders in CENTCOM in the past two years have commanded infantry task forces, one of the most important qualifiers for selection to command BCTs. See Figure 1 on Page 6. The senior FA observer/controllers (O/Cs) at the National Training Center (NTC), Fort Irwin, California, and Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC). Fort Polk, Louisiana, report that 100 percent of the FA units rotating through their training centers are performing maneuver missions--most with dual responsibilities for their BCTs' fires and other missions. (3)
These are unusual times, and the Army is using unusual measures to execute today's challenging missions. The Army's leaders and Soldiers, once again, have demonstrated remarkable, resourcefulness, adaptability and depth of combat arms skills to rise to the challenges in difficult times.
The officer education system (OES) and FA assignments provide a sound foundation for Field Artillerymen to command BCTs. Field Artillery officers are developed from lieutenant on up to operate in a maneuver environment at all levels. Understanding maneuver capabilities and limitations is the foundation of the Field Artilleryman's education and assignments. And the young Artilleryman's education and experience focus not only on combined arms operations, but also on joint fires and effects--the latter much earlier than most branches. This is an advantage in the contemporary operating environment (COE).
As fire supporters. Field Artillery men are habitually associated with maneuver units, notably at the company, battalion task force and brigade levels. Their responsibilities and experiences as fire supporters integral to the maneuver units grow them as leaders and in the knowledge of the nuances, challenges and rewards of life in the combat arms unit. Being intimately involved in planning and executing combat operations provides them unique perspectives of both fires and maneuver.
Serving as fire support officers (FSOs) for the maneuver company, battalion and brigade commanders, as fire support coordinators (FSCOORDs) for brigade and division commanders, and as O/Cs at the combat training centers (CTCs) gives Field Artillerymen a thorough understanding of combined arms operations on the battlefield. In counterinsurgency operations, such as those in GWOT, Field Artillerymen frequently are the ones planning, coordinating and synchronizing both lethal and nonlethal effects for...
NOTE: All illustrations and photos have been removed from this article.
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