WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Dec. 20, 2006) - The Army announced today it is accelerating the modular conversion of two active-component brigade combat teams to increase the number of combat and combat-support units available for combat and homeland-defense missions.
The 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division, at Fort Riley, Kan., will pass its transition-team mission and resources to the 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, and convert to a heavy brigade combat team in April, 11 months earlier than planned. The brigade combat team will re-flag next September as the 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, thereby aligning all Fort Riley units under the 1st Infantry Division.
The 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, at Fort Hood, Texas, will convert to an infantry brigade combat team in April, 17 months earlier than planned. The unit will relocate at Fort Knox, Ky., once facilities there become available. If, however, the unit is scheduled to deploy, it will return from combat to Fort Hood before moving to Fort Knox.
"The Army is steadfast in its determination to transform the total force from a Cold War structured organization into one best prepared to operate across the full spectrum of conflict; from full-scale combat to stability and reconstruction operations, including the irregular war that we face today," said Army Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Schoomaker.
Increasing the number of available BCTs for the ready-force pool will also help reduce stress on the current force by giving units and Soldiers a few more months at home than they presently have, known as dwell time. Currently, the ratio is one year deployed time to sometimes less than one year at home station. The Army's goal for the active component is one year deployed followed by two years at home.
The accelerated creation of the two BCTs will not require changes to the normal assignment process, and most of their Soldiers will receive permanent change of station orders next summer.
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