The Brigade Combat Team (BCT) Today we will discuss the essential building block of firepower in the U.S. Army; the brigade. In particular we will address the divisional and separate heavy maneuver brigade and the modular BCT. We will look at the organization and capability of the three BCTs. The BCTs are the basic building blocks of firepower in our army. In order to employ the power that they possess, you must first understand their organization and capabilities. Your ability to understand the BCTs capabilities and limitations along with how they are employed will allow you to develop feasible, suitable, and acceptable operations orders or operations plans. The material we are about to cover in this lesson will give you an understanding on how brigades are structured. FM 3-90.6

Brigade Fight Introduction 4/15/2017 Agenda Transformation – Division Centric to Brigade Centric Force Structure Brigade Roll Up What is a Brigade Combat Team? BCT Capabilities Comparison of 3 BCT’s BCT Organizations BCT C2 BCT Surgeon Role/Responsibilities BCT Medical Capabilities Summary FM 3-0, pgs 5-15 to 5-17 a. BOS. The BOS are the physical means (soldiers, organizations, and equipment) used to accomplish the mission. After the concept of operations is developed it is synchronized using the BOS. b. Intelligence. The intelligence system plans, directs, collects, processes, produces, and disseminates intelligence on the threat and environment to perform IPB and other intelligence tasks. c. Maneuver. Maneuver systems (infantry, armor, cavalry, and aviation forces) move to gain positions of advantage against enemy forces. d. Fire Support. FS consists of fires that directly support land, maritime, amphibious, and special operations forces in engaging enemy forces, and facilities in support of tactical and operational objectives. e. Air Defense. The AD system protects the force from air and missile attack and aerial surveillance. f. Mobility, Countermobility and Survivability. Mobility operations preserve friendly freedom of maneuver. Countermobility denies mobility to enemy forces. Survivability operations protect friendly forces from the effects of enemy weapon systems. g. Combat Service Support. CSS includes many technical specialties and functional activities that provide the physical means for forces to operate. CSS is present across the range of military operations, at all levels of war. h. Command and Control. C2 has two components—the commander and the C2 system. The C2 systems are the communications systems, intelligence systems, and computer networks that allow the commander to lead from any point on the battlefield. Active Component Brigade Combat Teams CLC3 Tactics POC: CPT Hollister

Brigade Fight Introduction 4/15/2017 Learning Objectives Terminal Learning Objective: ACTION: Describe the organization and capabilities of U.S. Army Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs) in the Contemporary Operating Environment (COE). CONDITIONS: Given information on the organization and capabilities of the BCT from both readings and classroom instruction STANDARDS: To correctly identify the major differences in organization and capabilities of the three types of modular BCTs IAW FM 3-90.6 Enabling Learning Objectives: Describe the basic units used to build the modular Army B. Describe the organization of the BCTs Describe the differences between the three different types of BCTs CLC3 Tactics POC: CPT Hollister

Brigade Fight Introduction 4/15/2017 Brigade Roll-up References FM 3-90.6, The Brigade Combat Team, Aug 06 FM-I 3-90.5, HBCT Maneuver Battalion, Jan 05 FM 1-02 (101-5-1), Operational Terms and Graphics, Sep 04 FKSM 71-8, Armor/Cavalry Reference Data, Brigade Combat Teams CLC3 Tactics POC: CPT Hollister

Transformation Brigade Based Force to meet 21st Century Challenges

Divisions = Army’s primary tactical warfighting headquarters Division’s principal task: C2 over any mix of brigades

Brigade Roll Up Support Brigades Brigade Combat Teams Combat Aviation Brigades Fires Brigades Battlefield Surveillance Brigades Sustainment Brigades Engineer Brigades EOD Brigades Signal Brigades Brigade Combat Teams Heavy BCTs Infantry BCTs Stryker BCTs Medical Brigades Air Defense Brigades Military Police Brigades Military Intelligence Brigade

Brigade Fight Introduction 4/15/2017 x X Infantry X Stryker Heavy Brigade Combat Teams for maneuver and close combat X X X Aviation X Fires X SUST MCG- mobile command group TAC – Tactical Command Post (Division specific) Sustainment Maneuver Enhancement Reconnaissance, Surveillance, Target Acquisition Supporting Brigades extend depth and duration of land operations CLC3 Tactics POC: CPT Hollister

Brigade Fight Introduction 4/15/2017 Task Organization…a possibility MNFI Division/Corps LRAS3 - Long-range Advanced Scout Surveillance System MED MED MED CLC3 Tactics POC: CPT Hollister

Brigade Fight Introduction 4/15/2017 What is a Brigade Combat Team? BCTs are: The Army’s basic tactical maneuver units that can be committed _______________ Designed to conduct offensive, defensive, and ________ operations The BCT core mission: close with the enemy by means of fire and maneuver to _________ or capture enemy forces, or to repel their attacks by fire, ____________ __, and counterattack The BCT can fight without _______________ , but it also can be tailored to meet the precise needs of its missions independently stability destroy close combat augmentation CLC3 Tactics POC: CPT Hollister

Brigade Fight Introduction 4/15/2017 What is a Brigade Combat Team? (continued) BCTs are designed for expeditionary deployment, and can integrate the efforts of the Army with _______ , interagency, and multinational assets. BCT’s advanced _____________ & ____________ systems enable them to conduct _______________ or semi-autonomous operations in larger areas of operations (AO) than the division brigades they replace. Joint Command Control autonomous CLC3 Tactics POC: CPT Hollister

Self Contained Unit smaller, more self-contained organizations … compared to “pre modularity” Brigades X Brigade Combined Arms Armed Recon Fires Intelligence Engineer MP/Security Signal Logistics Chemical A Ready and Relevant Force ELO D

Tailorable Command and Control Functional Array, not pure Hierarchy Current Transformed XXXX Army Operational HQ CORPS XXX Division- Level HQ Army & Joint Support In AOR Migrating functions and capabilities to lower levels Primary Warfighter DIV XX BCT Battles & Engagements BDE X Functional Array, not pure Hierarchy

Brigade Fight Introduction 4/15/2017 The HBCT is the Army’s heaviest BCT, and is organized with armored and mechanized units. It is capable of defeating the military forces of any country when battling force-on-force. Its personnel strength is approximately 3,800 Soldiers. It is organized to fight with combined arms at the company/team level. Heavy BCT The IBCT is the Army’s lightest BCT, and is organized around dismounted infantry, capable of airborne or air assault operations. It is designed to operate in restricted terrain. Its personnel strength is approximately 3,400 Soldiers. Infantry BCT NSC = NETWORK SUPPORT COMPANY The SBCT (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) combines the deployability of an IBCT with the mobility of a HBCT. It is designed around three infantry battalions and has approximately 4,000 Soldiers Stryker BCT CLC3 Tactics POC: CPT Hollister

Terrain/Capability Comparison Infantry BCT Stryker BCT Heavy BCT

Comparison of 3 BCT’s Heavy BCT Stryker BCT Infantry BCT Full Spectrum Operations Conduct Offensive, Defensive & Stability Operations Armored Vehicles with added mobility Suited for Restrictive Terrain High Usage Rate of Supplies (CL III, IV, IX) Soldiers on the move are vulnerable to enemy fire CBRNE attack Restrictive Mobility in Mountainous Terrain & Dense Forest 2 Maneuver BN’s 3 Maneuver BN’s 2 Maneuver BN’s Does not have firepower inherent with HBCT Now has BSTB as of 09/10

Brigade Fight Introduction 4/15/2017 BCT Organizations LRAS3 - Long-range Advanced Scout Surveillance System CLC3 Tactics POC: CPT Hollister

Brigade Fight Introduction 4/15/2017 BCT Organizations (Battalions) Combined Arms Battalion (CAB) – the Brigade’s primary maneuver force; design is “ 2 by 2”, 2 x tank companies & 2 x infantry companies Reconnaissance Squadron (RSTA) – designed to provide accurate and timely information across the AO; 3 ground recon companies Fires Battalion – provides heavy firepower for the brigade (field artillery) Brigade Support Battalion (BSB) – organic sustainment unit of the Brigade; BSMC, S&D Co., FMC, and 4 x FSC’s per maneuver battalion Brigade Special Troops Battalion (BSTB) – network support company, military intelligence company, military police (security), and CBRNE assets LRAS3 - Long-range Advanced Scout Surveillance System CLC3 Tactics POC: CPT Hollister

Brigade Fight Introduction 4/15/2017 BCT C2 LRAS3 - Long-range Advanced Scout Surveillance System CLC3 Tactics POC: CPT Hollister

Brigade Fight Introduction 4/15/2017 LRAS3 - Long-range Advanced Scout Surveillance System CLC3 Tactics POC: CPT Hollister

Brigade Fight Introduction 4/15/2017 BCT Surgeon Role/Responsibilities: Special Staff Officer Facilitates Medical Operations in the BCT BCT Surgeon keeps the Commander informed of the _______ of the Command Assists with facilitating timely planning, integration and synchronization of the Force Health Protection Plan with the BCT __________ plan. Coordinates with the BSMC; Battalion _______ Platoons / Sections; and other staff elements to ensure that Soldiers receive complete and comprehensive medical support. health maneuver LRAS3 - Long-range Advanced Scout Surveillance System Medical CLC3 Tactics POC: CPT Hollister

BCT Medical Capabilities

Heavy Brigade Combat Team - HBCT HQ, HBCT S4 / Brigade Surgeon Section

Brigade Special Troops Battalion

Brigade Special Troops Battalion PA Only

HBCT - 2 Combined Arms Battalions

Medical Platoon, HHC, Combined Arms Battalion

Reconnaissance Squadron

HHT, Recon Squadron, Medical Platoon

Fires (Field Artillery) Battalion HHB

HHB, Fires (Field Artillery) Battalion Medical Platoon HHB PA Only

Brigade Support Battalion BSB MH

Brigade Support Medical Company Slide 1 of 2 Med Co PM MH TX TX Dental, PT, Rad, Lab Area Tx

Brigade Support Medical Company Slide 2 of 2 TX TX EVAC EVAC (AREA) BMSO

Support Operations (SPO) Brigade Support Battalion

Brigade Fight Introduction 4/15/2017 What we covered in this class This slide illustrates the brigade combat team design. The heavy brigade (on top) and the infantry brigade (on the bottom) are new modular designs. The Stryker brigade design preceded the heavy and infantry designs, and is now serving with distinction in OIF. The subordinate forces are organic to each of the three brigade combat teams, as opposed to tailored. Some important characteristics. Each brigade combat team has an organic reconnaissance squadron, artillery battalion, signal, and UAVs. The heavy and infantry brigades have two organic maneuver battalions, as opposed to the Stryker’s three. The heavy brigade maneuver battalions are combined arms battalions with 2 tank companies and two mech companies. CLC3 Tactics POC: CPT Hollister

Brigade Fight Introduction 4/15/2017 Summary Brigade Roll Up What is a Brigade Combat Team? Heavy BCT Infantry BCT Stryker BCT Battalion Organizations Brigade C2 BCT Surgeon Role BCT Medical Capabilities FM 3-0, pgs 5-15 to 5-17 a. BOS. The BOS are the physical means (soldiers, organizations, and equipment) used to accomplish the mission. After the concept of operations is developed it is synchronized using the BOS. b. Intelligence. The intelligence system plans, directs, collects, processes, produces, and disseminates intelligence on the threat and environment to perform IPB and other intelligence tasks. c. Maneuver. Maneuver systems (infantry, armor, cavalry, and aviation forces) move to gain positions of advantage against enemy forces. d. Fire Support. FS consists of fires that directly support land, maritime, amphibious, and special operations forces in engaging enemy forces, and facilities in support of tactical and operational objectives. e. Air Defense. The AD system protects the force from air and missile attack and aerial surveillance. f. Mobility, Countermobility and Survivability. Mobility operations preserve friendly freedom of maneuver. Countermobility denies mobility to enemy forces. Survivability operations protect friendly forces from the effects of enemy weapon systems. g. Combat Service Support. CSS includes many technical specialties and functional activities that provide the physical means for forces to operate. CSS is present across the range of military operations, at all levels of war. h. Command and Control. C2 has two components—the commander and the C2 system. The C2 systems are the communications systems, intelligence systems, and computer networks that allow the commander to lead from any point on the battlefield. CLC3 Tactics POC: CPT Hollister

Brigade Fight Introduction 4/15/2017 Questions? CLC3 Tactics POC: CPT Hollister