U.S. Army South: The Component of choice in U.S. Southern Command's AOR

Army, Oct 2002 by Valenzuela, Alfred A

Every 20 years Latin America seems to shift from a region of mostly civilian-controlled governments (1958) to a dominance of military-controlled governments (1978), then back to civilian governments (1998).

The U.S. military's role in Central America since 1978, sometimes controversial, is a major reason why the climb back to civilian governments occurred in the last two decades. Good old-fashioned U.S. Army military-to-military contacts helped broker a peace process and the result-regional success.

Today we claim success for the democratic process in Latin America, but there are signs of political disillusionment, economic instability and uncertainty. In my visits throughout the U.S. Army South area of operations, I have heard the concerns of the military leadership in the armies of the Americas. They lament, "We've listened to lessons on democracy, subordinated our militaries to civilian leadership and worked hard to instill respect for human rights. We've stayed apolitical, halved the size of our military forces, seen our budgets cut and have taken on nontraditional roles and missions. Our citizens historically view their army as a prestigious institution, yet today question if we can simply provide a secure environment. Where are the benefits? The rewards? What is in it for us?"

An analysis in the April 2002 issue of The World & I magazine identifies three conditions in Latin America:

First, despite relative stability, Latin America is increasingly showing signs of political disillusionment and unrest.

Second, the time is ripe to develop a new, constructive approach in Latin America and to reenergize economic reforms, fortify democracy and build strong security partnerships.

Third, U.S. homeland safety is ensured by forging a partnership with Latin America to strengthen hemispheric security.

It is in this context that U.S. Army South pursues three key goals. First, support the combatant commander of the U.S. Southern Command as an Army service component command (ASCC). Second, complement U.S. foreign policy through security cooperation-Army-toArmy. Third, support Army Transformation while providing trained and ready forces to support operations in theater.

U.S. Army South's work towards achieving these goals inspires the armies of the Americas to help their nations build, on their terms, their respective democratic institutions. U.S. Army South's role is unique in that the esteem enjoyed by armies in Latin America exceeds that afforded to other military services. That is why U.S. Army South is a "service component command of choice" and why it can be decisive in the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility.

It is important to understand the concept of an Army service component command. The Chief of Staff of the Army, with the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the combatant commanders of unified commands, configures a service component for a unified command to meet theater requirements. By doctrine, this gives the U.S. Army South commanding general two four-star generals to serve: the combatant commander of the U.S. Southern Command and the Army Chief of Staff.

As an ASCC, U.S. Army South performs several strategic and operational-level tasks for a combatant commander. It establishes links and coordinates with the joint force headquarters and other service component commanders to provide advice, planning and liaison for the effective employment of Army forces. The U.S. Southern Command's theater security cooperation program succeeds via the joint expertise brought to bear by the efforts of all service components commands.

For example, the five-month long engineer exercise New Horizons, plus more than 25 medical readiness training exercises held each year, include service men and women from active and reserve component units. These exercises involve the construction of schools, medical clinics, water wells and delivery of basic medical services to areas identified in coordination with host nations, U.S. Embassy personnel and U.S. military groups.

The results? U.S. Army Reserve and National Guard soldiers get exactly the hands-on training and experience they asked for when they joined, thus providing a training and retention benefit. Soldiers, whether they are veterinarians, doctors, engineers or military police, face conditions that broaden their expertise. This strengthens the ability of the U.S. Army to deploy worldwide with experienced soldier-statesmen.

Routine overseas deployments prepare all components to be strategically responsive. We truly train the way we fight while our soldiers experience a deep personal reward by bringing hope to remote regions.

As an ASCC, U.S. Army South conducts operations. Natural disasters represent the most common type of contingency to which Army South may respond. U.S. Army South's Tradewinds exercise brings military and disaster relief officials from many nations together to promote readiness and to foster productive relationships between a nation in crisis, the ambassador, relief agencies and the Department of Defense. Exercise Fuerzas Aliadas tests multinational cooperation even more by establishing humanitarian operations centers that promote multinational and interagency cooperation.