Light Infantry Division and Counterguerrllla Operations

<p>This monograph examines the suitability of the US Army Light Infantry Division's division-base structure to execute counterguerrilla doctrine. Since the adoption of AirLand Battle doctrine by the US Army in 1982 there has been an Increasing call to move the US Army division base to the brigade and In essence fix the brigade structure with its own organic combat combat support and combat service support structure. While there has been considerable study of this proposal with regards to heavy brigades and divisions in mid-to high-intensity conflict there has been little examination of the light Infantry division and virtually none of low-Intensity conflict. In light of this apparent void this monograph analyzes brigade-vs. division-base organization for the light Infantry division in one type of operation that appears to be applicable to light Infantry employment across the conflict spectrum--counterguerrilla operations. The monograph first explores the nature of guerrilla operations on the modern battlefield in both conventional and Insurgency warfare. It then reviews US Army counterguerrilla doctrine in both Instances. Next the organization and capabilities of the light Infantry division are examined. Finally the congruence between counterguerrilla doctrine and light infantry division organization is analyzed. Additionally the ability of the division-base organization to adapt to emerging doctrine is examined. The monograph concludes that the current light Infantry division division-base organization does support current counterguerrilla doctrine. Further it finds that the organizational principles in the US Army's counterguerrilla doctrine accurately address the likely complexion of guerrilla warfare on the modern conventional or counterinsurgency battlefield. The monograph also concludes that the division-base organization is fully capable of adapting to emerging US Army doctrine for contingency operations or reinforcement of forward deployed forces.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p>