![]() These forces can also conduct independent operations in situations that demand a small, discrete, highly trained force. Special operations forces can reinforce, augment, and complement conventional forces, heightening the effectiveness of the total effort. Special operations are actions conducted by specially organized, trained, and equipped military forces to achieve military, diplomatic, economic, or psychological objectives by unconventional means. Depending on the factors of METT-TC, light forces either complement or are complemented by heavy forces.Ī-5. While light forces may be lifted into engagement areas (EAs) by truck, helicopter, or airplane, they fight mainly on foot. They also have limited organic tactical mobility once deployed into an area of operations (AO) compared to heavy forces. Light forces are limited by a relative lack of protection against direct and indirect fires and limited firepower compared with heavy forces. Light forces are particularly suited to operations in restricted and urban terrain, where they have a mobility advantage over heavy forces. Light forces traditionally include light infantry, airborne, and air assault forces. Light forces close with and destroy the enemy, seize and hold terrain, and gain information. However, restricted and urban terrain place limits on where the commander can employ them.Ī-4. The combination of mobile, protected firepower with dismounted infantry achieves complementary and reinforcing effects that neither can attain separately. Heavy forces employ tanks, armored fighting vehicles, attack and utility helicopters, and dismounted infantry to form the nucleus of a combined arms team that delivers mobile, protected firepower to create tremendous shock effect. They consist of armor, mechanized infantry, aviation, and armored cavalry. Heavy forces employ a combination of armored and mechanized forces that use their tactical mobility, protection, and firepower to close with and destroy the enemy, seize and hold terrain, and conduct reconnaissance. #Combat arms mos fullHowever, the Army is currently developing a medium weight force capable of increased strategic responsiveness in full spectrum operations.Ī-3. The Army classifies combat arms units as heavy, light, or special operations forces. Figure A-1 lists some types of units that deploy to support operations. Combat branches of the US Army include Air Defense Artillery, Armor, Aviation, Engineers, Field Artillery, Infantry, and Special Forces (SOF). Combat arms are units and soldiers who close with and destroy enemy forces or provide firepower and destructive capabilities on the battlefield. ![]() ![]() Much of a commander's effectiveness during an operation relies on his ability to rapidly reinforce and complement weapon systems' effects in symmetrical and asymmetrical ways. Some branches have capabilities that can be described as combat arms, CS, or CSS, depending on the specific situation. One branch reinforces or complements the effects of another, such as heavy forces in a support-by-fire position reinforcing an assault by light forces with their large-caliber, direct-fire weapons. There is no primary or dominant branch or arm. Appropriate combinations provide a balanced and versatile force mix, maximizing the commander's freedom of action in virtually any METT-TC condition.Ī-1. Each category complements and reinforces the others and the joint force. There are more than 400 types of Army units. Each category incorporates diverse capabilities of varying degrees of lethality, deployability, sustainability, and survivability. The Army groups its force structure into three general categories: combat, combat support (CS), and combat service support (CSS). Its flexibility, versatility, and adaptability are based on a broad range of branch capabilities and echelons that can be rapidly tailored for deployment and task-organized for the prevailing conditions of METT-TC. The Army consists of the active component, reserve components, and civilians acting in concert with other US services and allies. Appendix A Army Branches and Tactical Echelons It is not so much the mode of formation as the proper combined use of the different arms which will insure victory.Īntoine Henri, Baron de Jomini: Precis de l'Art de la Guerre, 1838 ![]()
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