Modular BSBs in Operation Iraqi Freedom

Army Logistician,  May-June, 2006  by Thomas J. Foster

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The modular units now on the ground in Iraq are very different from the support units that helped drive Saddam Hussein from power in 2003. Modular brigade support battalions (BSBs) first deployed to the theater of operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) 04-06. These OIF 04-06 deployments tested new combat service support (CSS) modular design concepts, organizations, and tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP).

I had the good fortune to observe and collect information on these modular CSS units as a Center for Army Lessons Learned liaison officer with the 3d Infantry Division during OIF 04-06. I was able to spend time with each modular support battalion to collect lessons learned, TTP, and general modular information.

Transformation Activities and Deployment

After returning from OIF 1, the 3d Infantry Division began transforming to a modular design. This undertaking was enormous, and the modular design changed as issues arose and solutions were found. However, the 3d Infantry Division had to deploy to OIF 04-06 before it could finish converting to the modular design. As a result, the two 3d Infantry Division brigade combat teams (BCTs) that deployed (2d BCT and 4th BCT) were only partially modular-enabled.

During OIF 04-06, the 3d Infantry Division served as the headquarters for Multinational Division-Baghdad (MND-B). MND-B's task organization included four modular BCTs and one traditional Army of Excellence (AOE) BCT. Two of the MND-B modular BCTs were from the 3d Infantry Division, and the other two were the 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), and the 2d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). The 10th Mountain Division and the 101st Airborne Division BCTs were organized according to current modular force designs, while the 3d Infantry Division's BCTs were organized under an older modular force design. In the older design, support battalions report to the division support brigade. In the new design, these battalions are organic to the BCT.

Each of the transforming BCTs faced similar issues. They all were working simultaneously on transformation and deployment missions. Equipment and personnel often did not arrive until deployment time. Many positions were unfilled or filled with Soldiers just out of advanced individual training (AIT) or officer basic or advanced courses. Other authorized equipment and vacant positions were not filled at all.

Transformation Effects on Units and Leadership

The pace of change in the Army has necessitated a "learn as you go" philosophy for the BSBs. Units that are deployed or preparing to deploy and those in the process of transforming to a modular design find it difficult to keep abreast of emerging and changing doctrine. Therefore, commanders are relying on CSS White Papers and PowerPoint presentations for modular force guidance. New logistics doctrine was not released before the deployments, and service schools have not had time to integrate modular concepts into their curriculums. Soldiers attending AIT and the Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) Education System schools and officers attending basic and advanced courses are getting only an introduction to the modular concept before they are assigned to units that have already transformed.

Since the entire Army is changing, time has not been available to train everyone on the new CSS modular force concepts and structure. This is an issue both inside and outside the CSS community. One forward support company (FSC) first sergeant said it took him a month to realize that he was not in a company in the supported battalion but in a company of the BSB.

Transforming While at War

In a perfect world, transformation would have occurred when the Army was not at war, but that is not the case. Deployed units are working through theory in the face of reality. Even though the new organizations are modular, many people in the Army still have an AOE mindset. The FSC is a good example of this point.

One of the key features of the BCT modular force is the continued use of the FSC with the combined arms battalions developed under Force XXI. The FSC is a multifunctional unit that includes a distribution platoon and a maintenance platoon organized to provide support to a maneuver battalion. Four FSCs are organic to the BSB, one for each battalion in the BCT. In the AOE, support platoons in the maneuver battalions were the main logistics providers. The FSC is not a support platoon, and it is not organic to the combat arms maneuver battalion. Rather, it has a direct support-type role.

Under transformation, the FSC provides logistics support to the maneuver battalion. The supported battalion's S-4 is still the main logistics planner. However, the FSC commander assists the S-4 in developing plans that are based on the battalion commander's guidance. The FSC commander also works with the battalion executive officer (XO) to synchronize support. The support platoon of the combined arms battalion is removed from the battalion's headquarters and headquarters company. The only CSS function that remains organic to the maneuver battalion is medical support.