Quote Originally Posted by gute View Post
I take it you believe the FA BNs should be removed from the BCTs as an organic element and only assigned when needed?
No, the BCT is the right place for the (used to be DS) fires BNs. Without the in-lieu-of missions competing for training time, the BNs can train themselves- especially once we start getting BCTs commanders that have grown up with the idea that they are responsible for everyone, not just training maneuver and everyone else shows up trained. The only thing the BN really needs help for is planning/resourcing battery level external evaluations, and that can be worked out. My proof for this is the 7 de facto separate BDEs we had since the 90s drawdown (from 1995 or so, only 1st CAV, 101st ABN and 82nd ABN had all 3 of their BDEs co-located with the HQs- the other 7 divisions had a BDE at another post as a de facto separate BDE).

What would help would be providing every division with a fires BDE, so that there is a COL commander that can supervise/coordinate this training for the division.