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August 13, 2003
One Weekend a Month, My Ass
"...you may fly over a land forever; you may bomb it, atomize it, pulverize it and wipe it clean of life--but if you desire to defend it, protect it, and keep it for civilization, you must do this on the ground, the way the Roman legions did, by putting your young men in the mud."
--T.R. Fehrenbach, This Kind of War
The United States Army downsized to ten divisions from eighteen following the end of the Cold War and the Gulf War in 1991. This reduction was not as drastic as it sounds at first. During the Cold War, many of the Army's divisions consisted of two active duty brigades and a round-out brigade from the Army National Guard. When the Army drew down, every division retained three active duty brigades, so they would not have to rely on a reserve call-up before going to work. Nonetheless, with only ten divisions, the Army was left to operate on a decidedly limited manpower budget. Let's look at the numbers.
1st Infantry Division left two brigades in Germany and one at Fort Riley, Kansas. Those brigades have spent much of the last ten years rotating back and forth to Bosnia, Kosovo and Macedonia. The brigade-minus from Fort Riley is currently on tap to head to Iraq later this month.
2d Infantry Division has two brigades in Korea. Those brigades are unlikely to go anywhere, particularly as long as the situation in the North goes on. The 3d Brigade is undergoing conversion to a Stryker brigade (the Army's new medium brigade), and is slated to head to Iraq later this year.
3d Infantry Division, infamously, has been in Iraq close to a year for some elements. They are normally assigned to Fort Stewart, Georgia (two brigades) and Fort Benning, Georgia (one brigade). Once they do return from Iraq, they will require a significant period of time to recover. They can also expect a significant rebuilding period, as a large number of the soldiers assigned to the unit will be rotated to new assignments shortly after returning. Not to mention the number of soldiers that may well choose to ETS (leave the service) due to the duration of their stay in the desert.
4th Infantry Division normally has two brigades at Fort Hood, Texas and one here at Fort Carson, Colorado. They are now stationed in some of the more dangerous parts of Iraq, between Baghdad and Tikrit. They're not scheduled to come home until the Spring of 2004.
1st Armored Division, like the 1st Infantry, usually has two brigades in Germany and one at Fort Riley. Currently they're in Iraq as well. To the best of my knowledge, they don't know when they're going home.
1st Cavalry Division maintains all three of its brigades at Fort Hood. They're on the CENTCOM deployment roster, but are currently still at Hood.
10th Mountain Division (Light) is based at Fort Drum, New York. They currently have one brigade in Afghanistan and roughly 1,000 soldiers in Iraq.
25th Infantry Division (Light) is based at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
The 82d Airborne Division operates from Fort Bragg, North Carolina. They have a brigade in Afghanistan and another in Iraq, leaving one brigade available.
101st Air Assault Division is based at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. They are all currently deployed to Iraq.
2d Armored Cavalry Regiment (Light) operates out of Fort Polk, Louisiana, and is currently in Iraq (making them possibly the only unit in Iraq that went to a better place).
3d Armored Cavalry Regiment is based at Fort Carson. They're in Iraq as well, and are scheduled to return in the Spring of 2004.
The 173d Infantry Brigade is based in Italy. They're in Iraq for the foreseeable future.
So let's sum up: the Army has 16 brigade-sized elements in Iraq two in Afghanistan and two in Korea, not counting support elements. That leaves thirteen other brigades. Sounds like no big deal, right? Not necessarily. The Army also needs a brigade for Bosnia, a brigade for Kosovo, and roughly a brigade for other minor taskings in Macedonia, Egypt, and so on. Yet those taskings weren't listed above. How are they being filled?
The Army National Guard and Army Reserve are stepping into that breach. Currently elements of the 28th and 35th Infantry Divisions are covering the missions in the Balkans. Other National Guard units are on tap to cover them for the foreseeable future. The Balkans will not see an active duty unit for years, if ever again.
This is indicative of a larger trend. There are currently some 133,000 members of the Army Reserve and Army National Guard serving on active duty. That compares with roughly 500,000 soldiers in the active Army. In other words, the Army has been augmented by more than 20% by mobilizing reservists. This is a measure of how thinly the Army is stretched right now. Yes, there are some thirteen combat brigades available for other operations in theory. In reality, many of those units are also locked into future operations in Iraq or Afghanistan.
The 3d ID has to be relieved soon. If they spend more than a year in Iraq, it will get ugly. There won't be a mutiny. They'll continue to do their jobs. The missions will get accomplished. But the drop in morale will affect every unit in the Army. Recruiting and retention, already difficult, will become nearly impossible. Failure to get a rotation schedule in place for Iraq will have an effect on the Army similiar to the post-Vietnam syndrome. Neither the Army nor the country can afford that. Count on 1st Cav heading to Iraq for a twelve-month tour soon. Either the 10th Mountain or the 25th Infantry, almost certainly the 25th, will have to relieve the 101st Airborne soon as well. The 101st soldiers had to endure Afghanistan in 2001-2 prior to their visit to Iraq. They're not as desperate for relief as the 3d ID, but they're the next priority. That leaves two brigades from the 1st ID, two brigades from the 10th, and a brigade of the 82d in reserve. That's all there is, until we can start drawing down in Iraq.
Meanwhile, the reserves will continue to shoulder a load far greater than they were designed to bear. The title of this article comes from a sign spotted on a truck in Iraq. As most readers doubtless know, the National Guard and Reserve advertise a paycheck for one weekend a month and two weeks a year. For an increasing number of reservists, this is a distant memory. This isn't to ask for sympathy for the reserves. If you don't understand what you're getting into when you take the oath, I have no sympathy for you. But some reservists are getting home from one deployment for only a few weeks or months before turning around to head out for another deployment. Like the situation with the 3d ID, this cannot last.
People join the reserves for a reason. If they wanted to serve full time, they'd sign up for active duty. They understand that they may have to serve on active duty for a time, and I've yet to run into one who complains about a deployment. But if they think a reserve committment will be no different from being on active duty, they're going to get out. We will start to see that soon, if we aren't already, as soldiers begin to leave the Guard and Reserve because they're concerned about deployments. Given the current reliance of the Army on the reserve component, this could be no less disastrous than a drop in recruiting for the active component.
What's the answer? It's just like any other budget; you either have to increase your inflows or decrease your outflows. Either we've got to expand the Army to cover the many manpower-intensive missions it now faces, or we've got to eliminate some of its taskings. The center cannot hold.
Posted at August 13, 2003 09:06 PM
I apologize for only allowing authenticated commenters, but comment spam overwhelms the site if I don't use those measures to prevent it. I reserve the right to delete any comment, although generally comments will only be deleted due to use of profanity or personal attacks on people. I have no objection to vigorous argument, but when name-calling begins, I'm putting a stop to it. In the immortal words of Eugene Levy, "People, people, let's stop this before somebody says something untrue!" If you want to call people names, I recommend you get your own blog.
Every day we do more and more, with less and less. Soon we'll be able to do everything with nothing! At least in Armythink...
Posted by: Dave at August 14, 2003 11:16 AM
You've made a good point about the tasking of the Guard and Reserve forces, and I think it is one of, if not THE, major failing of this administration that it has abused these institutions to the degree that it has.
The abuse goes deeper than what you have mentioned, however. Let me compare today with the time that I spent in the Army Reserve. After I got back from Vietnam and ETSed (1971) I decided to get into the reserves to give myself a little spending money while I finished college. I ended up staying in for six years (three years of college and three years of law school -- the last three years I was in a JAG unit). During that time, the bulk of the leadership in my first unit, an engineering company, was made up of small business owners and farmers. During the second three years, the leadership was obviously made up of lawyers.
Under today's circumstances, these kind of people would have to be insane to remain involved. Someone who owns his own business just can't drop everything and walk away for a year. Same with the farmers (who, in our engineering unit, seemed to be able to fix any piece of equipment we had and figure out any tricky problem that came their way -- they were by far our best noncoms) and lawyers.
Back in the mid- to late-70's there was a dawning realization that if another war had to be fought the reserves and NG would be supplying a lot of the manpower, but that was OK with everybody because we only expected to be called up for MAJOR conflicts, like maybe a Soviet invasion of Europe or renewed fighting in Korea. We never would have expected to be called up for peacekeeping operations, even though there were a number of them around the world and even though US forces sometimes participated -- it just wasn't part of the mental commitment we had made. If we had been called up for something that didn't really match this mental commitment, we would have gone, but it surely would have been a hardship for those shopkeepers, farmers and lawyers.
The National Guard and Reserves are just like any other tool -- if you use it too often, or if you abuse it, someday it is going to break. Same goes for the active forces. If they don't get a reasonable opportunity to rotate home, refit and retrain, both retention and recruiting will undoubtedly suffer.
Posted by: PaulG at August 17, 2003 09:06 AM
Paul, you make a very good point, and I am quite concerned about what will happen to retention rates over the next few years. Certainly it seems probable the Army will have a great deal of difficulty recruiting reservists for the foreseeable future, simply because few will believe that they won't be mobilized sooner rather than later. This problem is going to get worse before it gets better, I think.
Posted by: Andrew at September 2, 2003 11:04 AM
I am currentlly in a National Gaurd unit that is deployed to Iraq. I support what we are doing here but I aggree that the military resources are being missused. I think if you are going to place blame it shouldn't be directed at the current administration only. If the American people only understood the things that are going on over here and would push for there congressmen to push the UN to get more involved with rebuilding of Iraq and other conflicts around the world it would take alot of pressure off of us. When I get to see the news over here I see more people slamming this administration and trying to get there speacial intrest or political aggenda pushed rather than coming together and pushing the UN as a whole. (United we stand divided we fall.)
Im not trying to support the current administration or not support them thats for voters to decide on there on. But in time of war you need to back your leaders as much as posible or you could effect the lives and welfare of the soldiers involved.
The biggest problem I've seen here is communication not knowing whats going on or having timelines. The army I came up in didnt opperate like that. The General down to the private allways had the resources to no his mission, enemy, and was given a better idea of his time span on a mission. We have been here since last Spring(want give specifics because of security) and have no clue as to when we will be leaving. The regular army units are being told finally but there are National Gaurd and Reservist who have been here just as long as 3ID and have been involved with just as much of the battle. I'm not complaining but it does put a damper on your patriotism and I dont like feeling like that because I come from a very patriotic family.
Hopefully things will get better.
Posted by: Eric at September 3, 2003 02:41 PM
I spent six years on active duty.(71-77)Four of my six years was spent in the fareast.I joined the Reserves in 1978.(78-86) In 78 I went in the National Gaurd. I have over 30 years on service. The world has changed, and so have the duties of the reserve units.If these cry babys can't take the heat,"Get out of the fire." Things are real easy pulling weekend drills. The drill checks are nice. God help them if they have to do a little work for their pay. If they are looking for a shoulder to cry on, don't look my way. " God Bless The USA" and all the real fighting men and women. Send the cry babys home and boot them out, we don't need them. They need us.
Posted by: American at September 16, 2003 01:58 PM
All I have to say is if you didn't know or understand what you were getting yourself into when you signed the dotted line to give 6 years of your life away to the US Army, then you are a dumb ass. I want to go to Iraq, I want to serve my Country and I want to help the people of Iraq to have a better life. God Bless The USA and Gods Speed To The Natural Born Fighters In Our Military!!!
Posted by: Preshus at November 10, 2003 06:55 PM
I am constantly amazed by the repeated assumption that reservists somehow didn't know what they were getting themselves into, or that they are somehow unpatriotic or stupid because they're not all thrilled to have the chance to spend one or two years (or more) mobilized. The Reserves have advertised themselves as a part-time job for decades; that's why many people join them. Those who have been mobilized are doing their best under difficult circumstances; they're not cutting and running, nor are they complaining. But many of them are going to get out when their deployments are up, because they didn't sign up to be active duty soldiers. To blame them for not wanting to be active duty is foolish, not to say stupid. That's why we have a reserve: to backfill in emergencies. Since we can expect to need additional soldiers overseas for some time, this doesn't qualify. The Army should be doing what it can to expand to cover these requirements. Because it's not doing so, we're going to have some significant problems a few years down the line.
Posted by: Andrew at November 27, 2003 02:18 PM
Im a proud member of the Army national gaurd and have served 5 years in the active Army. A lot of responsability has been placed on our national gaurd and reservist in the last few years. The amount of training recievd in the natinal gaurd is not sufficient enough to sustain the mission that are being assigned. national gaurdsmen are capable of some missions but the level of readiness is not up to the same standard as the regular army troops. Lots of training requirements are are not taken as serious as they are in the regular army. A few examples are PT, Weapons qualifications, and equipment readiness. I believe that if we are relying on national gaurd and reserve units to defend our freedom that they should be a better trained force . At one time our country had the best trained Army in the world.It would be great if we could get the national gaurd and reservist up to the same standard as the regular Army.before we expect them to acomplish the same type of missions.
Posted by: james at December 31, 2003 02:27 PM
Unfortunately, that just isn't possible. The Guard and Reserve train for 39 days a year. When you figure in the mandatory classes, APFT, weapons qualification, travel time, and maintenance, you're looking at probably at least half of that time. Expecting people to reach the level of proficiency the active force has in 20 days a year is wholly unrealistic. The best we can hope for is that the units spend that limited time working towards proficiency on a small number of tasks, so that they are at least proficient in those tasks when they mobilize. That's why we provide time for reserve units to train on other tasks when they do mobilize.
Posted by: Andrew at January 2, 2004 06:58 PM
My brother was in the Iraq war. What got me was when he was in Kuwait for 2 months not knowing nothing that was going on the guys had to buy there own ice cream and food if they wanted extra . Baskin Robbins was the booth and I think that sucked that they would do this to our guys who are deffending our country. Everything should be at no cost. Also i think it is awful if our guys want to come home for a 2 week leave they have to pay there way. Come on United States this is our Army protecting our country. This is a dumb war . We went after the wrong man. Where is Bin Laden????Who cares what Iraq does. Bush just had to finish what Daddy Boy started!
Posted by: Tracie at January 7, 2004 08:10 PM
Dumb war?....Wrong man?....Who cares what Iraq does?...those are typical comments from someone who has no idea what they are speaking about. Have you been in the theatre in Iraq? Have you seen first hand the way of life millions of people have been forced to endure for their entire lives? The type of life where you or any member of your family can be raped,tortured,and killed in front of your face for looking at the wrong person the wrong way. Do you have children? Perhaps you would prefer to leave the most brutal dictator in history in power to do as he chooses until it's not your problem....wait until he is more capable of doing America harm and then have it become your children that are fighting for their lives against an enemy that has spent years waiting for the chance to strike us.As for me, I would much rather pay the price for the way that we have always lived...becuase our fathers and grandfathers didn't want us to have our lives forever changed by the face of war. Hooah to the soldiers who are in theatre, and Godspeed to those who will be shortly.
Posted by: PVT.M.Sharp 1/221st CAV at March 23, 2004 05:53 AM
BRING BACK THE DRAFT!!!!! These kids need to understand and appreciate what America is all about. By cutting the apron strings and sending our high school graduates for a two year term - be it Military, Peace Corps, Ameri Corps, Red Cross, whatever - we give them the opportunity to stand on their own two feet without mom/dad, and grandparents waiting to fulfill their every wish.
Far too many have taken and are taking a free ride as a result of the freedoms ensured by our forefathers. Perhaps if these folks had to go out in service to their country they could appreciate the American way of life a little more. Maybe they would then be glad to drop to their knees and thank GOD for keeping them safe for one more day - Maybe they could pledge allegiance to the flag using "under God" without whining - Maybe then they would want to put prayer back into our schools.
Yes, I believe our numbers will decrease greatly, as you pointed out. What will our alternative be? D R A F T - we really took a step backward when we did away with the draft.
Posted by: SFC Janice Crocker at April 5, 2004 11:30 AM
my husband is now deployed in iraq for about a year.i have sat back and listened to so many people say national guard is a joke all they do is half ass everything & they cant go through a years deployment because they aren't trained to handle that type of misson,bullshit they serve their time just like any other solider proud & strong just like any active military person would do. i think it's time we all give them the respect they deserve
Posted by: jess at April 9, 2004 02:51 PM
jess, it's hard to argue with that. While I have my own issues with the Guard, there's no doubt that there are a lot of Guardsmen out there right now doing yeoman work in the service of their country, and they should be recognized and applauded for that.
Posted by: Andrew at April 9, 2004 02:57 PM
I am a Navy Vietnam Vet and 10 year cold-war submarine sailor. I have no issue with the Guard or Reservists, nor with the regular troops, nor do I think anyone on here is saying the troops cannot do the jobs they were sent to do even if some of their training may be slight. It's just that they should not have been sent, and once sent, their deployments should not be arbitrarily extended. I have issues with the poor planning, lack of foresight, lack of strategic thinking, lack of historical perspective, lack of cultural understanding, and completel disregard for the lives and stamina of the troops that is currently being demonstrated by the powers that be in Washington. Somone somewhere rushed to a poorly informed decision and our troops and their families are now paying the price. It smells like needless loss of lives and livlihoods for political gain to me.
Posted by: David at April 16, 2004 03:51 PM
I have similiar issues, but I find it rather amusing to hear it suggested that it was done for political gain. It is difficult for me to imagine any scenario under which the Bush administration wouldn't have been better off from a political standpoint simply by leaving Iraq alone. If it was made from the belief it would improve the President's political fortunes, Karl Rove isn't one-tenth as smart as he's made out to be.
Posted by: Andrew at April 16, 2004 05:52 PM
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