Army names first unit to use Unit Manning Initiative - Alog News - 172d Separate Infantry Brigade, U.S. Army Alaska - Brief Article

Army Logistician, Sept-Oct, 2003

The Army has chosen the third Stryker brigade combat team (SBCT)--the 172d Separate Infantry Brigade, U.S. Army Alaska--to be the first Army unit manned under the Unit Manning Initiative. The goal is a trained and ready Alaska SBCT that is deployable by the summer of 2005, the projected timeframe for the third SBCT to achieve initial operational capability.

Unit manning synchronizes the assignment of soldiers with the life cycle of their unit. This decision transforms the Army from an individual soldier replacement system to a unit manning system that keeps trained soldiers, leaders, and commanders together longer, thereby improving warfighting and maximizing the capabilities of Army units.

Unit-manning the 172d SBCT will provide the Army with an important opportunity to develop and implement evolving personnel policies tailored to building and regenerating SBCTs. Department of the Army G-1 officials have identified approximately 175 other personnel policies and procedures that may be changed to support the unit manning initiative and lessen personnel turbulence.

Experience gained from the 172d SBCT will give the Army important insights for unit-manning Objective Force units in support of Army Transformation. Unit manning will enable the Army to convert current units into Objective Force units in conjunction with fielding of the Future Combat Systems.

The Unit Manning Task Force Web site, https:// www.unitmanning.army.mil, provides the history and an overview of unit manning, current events, products, and feedback.