Quote Originally Posted by 82redleg View Post
The DIV only needs a SIG CO.

How about a drastically enlarged Headquarters and Headquarters BN. With a combat arms commander and staff, so it becomes more than a force provider/admin HQs. It still has admin responsibilities (for its subordinates AND for the DIV HQs staff), but now tactically employs a security force company (infantry or MP, maybe a mixture of both), a mounted recon troop (4 PLTs x 6 trucks per), a LRS-C (no change necessary). By combining the BFSB HQ, the BFSB Recon SQDN HQ and the DIV HHB, we've gotten all the employed elements (except the BFSB MI stuff). In order to plan for all this, the current combined S2/3 section probably needs to be enlarged, with a focus on security and recon planning (depending on how directly the LRS-C and recon troop interfact with the G3 & G2)- it can't be LESS efficient going DIV-BN-CO than the current DIV-BFSB-SQDN-CO for these elements.

The admin/log aspects of this BN are large and diverse, and it might make sense to split its HHC into a CSS company and a HQ/admin company. Its staff sections would have large and diverse responsibilities, but not, I think, any more difficult than a maneuver battalions. The LRS-C and recon troop could still plan their missions directly with the G2/G3. It would probably require a support operations/CSS plug of some sort, and maybe some additional clerks in the S1 shop (the BN already has a CW4 HR tech, compared to the CW2 authorized in a BCT).

Anyone see any other issues with this enhanced HHB?
1. Really, really hate the current BFSB. It's an MI Bn with stuff added and not very much of that. It does NOT possess the capabilities a Division or Corps of JTF commander will require from it.

2. With the elimination of the final heavy ACR, neither the corps of division commanders/echelons have a unit specifically organized, manned, equipped and trained to gather/fight for information for them. They do already have access to lots of various types of sensors that can monitor the situation and conduct passive/stand-off surveillance. All good stuff. All vulneable to spoofing/deception. The current choice/option is for the corps/division to task this mission/function to a BCT or a group of BCTs or an Ad Hoc Task Force.

3. Long-range recon units have a place. They also have significant limitations on timely employment. INTs (SIGINT, COMINT, ELINT, etc) have a place. And they are all capable of being spoofed and assume some action on the part of the enemy. HUMINT is good, once you have someone to talk to.

4. An Bn versus a Bde is probably a viable option but lascks the "horsepower" of an COL/O6 commander trying to get "his" staff folks to do what he needs them to do.

5. A problem of combining the Division Hqs with the BFSBs is that there are not the same number. 18 division Hqs only 10 or 11 BFSBs.

6. A "big" HQs Bn (800-1000 PAX) plus a "big" CAV Sqdrn/Recon Bn (800-1000 PAX) probably only add up to a "small" Bde (1700-2000 PAX).