Brigade combat team
The brigade combat team (BCT) is the basic deployable unit of maneuver in the US Army. A brigade combat team consists of one combat arms branch maneuver brigade, and its attached support and fire units. Brigade combat teams are generally commanded by a colonel (O-6), in some rare instances they will be commanded by a brigadier general. A brigade combat team carries with it support units necessary to sustain its operations separate from its parent division. BCTs contain organic artillery support, formerly received from the division artillery (DIVARTY).
Currently, the U.S. Army is converting its brigades into the new Brigade Combat Team (BCT) program [1]. In this program, divisions that generally have not deployed individual brigades due to lack of integral support (1st Armored Division, 25th Infantry Division, etc.) have been restructured, giving them the ability to deploy one or more BCTs anywhere in the world. These BCTs will be able to stand on their own just like a mini-division; however, the soldiers assigned to a BCT will stay at their assignment for 3 years. This is intended to bolster readiness and improve unit cohesion.
Infantry Brigade Combat Team
The Infantry Brigade Combat Team is organized around 2 Battalions of Infantry. Each type of Brigade (Light Infantry, Air Assault, or Airborne) have the same basic organization. Each Infantry Brigade is capable of Air Assault Operations, whether or not it is officially designated as an Air Assault Brigade. Also, most units typically maneuver in HMMWVs when deployed and operate as "Motorized Infantry" to facilitate speed of movement. The Infantry Brigade Combat Team consist 2 Infantry Battalions and 1 each Reconnaissance (Cavalry), Fires (Artillery), Special Troops, and Support Battalions.
Infantry Battalion
- Headquarters and Headquarters Company
- Medical Platoon
- Reconnaissance Platoon
- Sniper Section
- Mortar Platoon
- Rifle Company (x 3)
- Rifle Platoon (x 3)
- Mortar Section
- Motorized Heavy Weapons Company
- Heavy Weapons Platoon (x 4)
Each Infantry Brigade Combat Team consists of two Infantry Battalions. These two battalions will be the primary maneuver elements of the brigade and will each consist of around 650 personnel.
Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition Squadron
- Headquarters and Headquarters Troop
- Mounted Reconnaissance Troop with HMMWVs (x 2)
- Dismounted Reconnaissance Troop
- Surveillance Troop
Fires Battalion
- Headquarters and Headquarters Battery
- 105mm Towed Firing Battery (x 2)
- Target Acquisition Section
Brigade Special Troops Battalion
- Headquarters and Headquarters Company
- Military Police Platoon
- Support Platoon
- CBRN Reconnaissance Platoon
- Brigade Headquarters and Headquarters Company
- Military Intelligence Company
- Network Signal Company
- Combat Engineer Company
The Brigade Special Troops Battalion (BSTB) is a new formation of the Army. It is designed to provide command and control to the brigade combat support companies (Intel and Signal) and any company-sized attachments (such as Air Defense Artillery or Military Police).
Brigade Support Battalion
- Headquarters and Headquarters Company
- Distribution Company
- Maintenance Company
- Medical Company
- Forward Support Company (Infantry) (x 2)
- Forward Support Company (Reconnaissance and Surveillance)
- Forward Support Company (Fires)
Stryker Brigade Combat Team
The Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT) is designed entirely around a new armored vehicle: the Stryker wheeled armored vehicle. The Stryker Brigade is organized differently than the Infantry or Heavy Brigade Combat Teams. The Stryker Brigade Combat Team consist of 3 Infantry Battalions, 1 Reconnaissance (Cavalry) Squadron, 1 Fires (Artillery) Battalion, 1 Brigade Support Battalion, 1 Brigade Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1 Network Support Company, 1 Military Intelligence Company, 1 Engineer Company, and 1 Anti-Tank Company. Unlike the Infantry and Heavy BCT's there is not a Brigade Special Troops Battalion nor Forward Support Companies in the Brigade Support Battalion for the five manuever elements.
Infantry Battalion
- Headquarters and Headquarters Company
- Infantry Company (Stryker) (x 3)
Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition Squadron
- Headquarters and Headquarters Troop
- Mounted Reconnaissance Troop (Stryker) (x 3)
- Surveillance Troop
Fires Battalion
- Headquarters and Headquarters Battery
- 155mm Towed Firing Battery (x 3)
Brigade Support Battalion
- Headquarters and Headquarters Company
- Distribution Company
- Maintenance Company
- Medical Company
Individual Companies
- Brigade Headquarters and Headquarters Company
- Military Intelligence Company
- Network Signal Company
- Combat Engineer Company
- Anti-Tank Company
Heavy Brigade Combat Team
The Heavy Brigade Combat Team is the Army's primary armored force. It will be designed around Combined Arms Battalions that contain both M1 Abrams Tanks and M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs). The Heavy Brigade Combat Team consist of 2 Combined Arms Battalions and 1 each Armored Reconnaissance (Cavalry), Fires (Artillery), Special Troops, and Support Battalions.
Combined Arms Battalion
- Headquarters and Headquarters Company
- Medical Platoon
- Reconnaissance Platoon
- Sniper Section
- Mortar Platoon
- Tank Company (x 2)
- Tank Platoon (x 3)
- Mechanized Infantry Company (x 2)
- Mechanized Infantry Platoon (x 3)
- Mechanized Combat Engineer Company
Armed Reconnaissance Squadron
- Headquarters and Headquarters Troop
- Armed Reconnaissance Troop (x 3)
- Armed Reconnaissance Platoon (x 2)
- M2 Bradley Cavalry Fighting Vehicle (x 3)
- M1114 Up-Armored HMMWV w/ Long-Range Advanced Scout Surveillance System (LRAS3) (x 5)
- 120mm Mortar Section
- Armed Reconnaissance Platoon (x 2)
Fires Battalion
- Headquarters and Headquarters Battery
- 155mm SP Firing Battery (x 2)
- Target Acquisition Section
Brigade Special Troops Battalion
- Headquarters and Headquarters Company
- Military Police Platoon
- CBRN Reconnaissance Platoon
- Brigade Headquarters and Headquarters Company
- Military Intelligence Company
- Network Signal Company
Brigade Support Battalion
- Headquarters and Headquarters Company
- Distribution Company
- Maintenance Company
- Medical Company
- Forward Support Company (Combined Arms) (x 2)
- Forward Support Company (Fires)
- Forward Support Company (Reconnaissance and Surveillance)
See also
- United States Army
- Transformation of the United States Army
- USMC Marine Air-Ground Task Force, for comparison
- British Army Future Army Structure (Next Steps), for comparison.
References
- FM 3-20.96 Reconnaissance Squadron
- FM 3-21.20 Infantry Battalion
- FM 3-90.6 Brigade Combat Team
- FM 3-90.61 Brigade Special Troops Battalion