The U.S. Army is experimenting with Regionally Aligned Brigades (RABs). These are regular combat brigades that customize their training to prepare for likely service in a particular part of the world. The first brigade to be so trained (from the 1st Infantry Division in Fort Riley, Kansas) will be prepped for service in Africa. That means the brigade will be getting ready to work for AfriCom (Africa Command). That could include everything from sending teams to train troops, to joint training with African troops to peacekeeping or aiding in some catastrophe. If this experiment succeeds, the army will designate RABs for Southern (SouthCom in South America), Central (CentCom in the Middle East) and Pacific Commands (PacCom). RABs would be assigned to commands in numbers each of the commands feels is adequate.
The article notes this is how the special forces work, and says that the Army and Marines are following suit with their units.
But this is nothing new. Even in the Cold War, as most of the Army trained for NATO missions, 18th Airborne Corps trained for Persian Gulf scenarios while other units focused on Korea scenarios. I assume east coast Marines focused on Iceland and Norway while Okinawa-based Marine gave that scenario little thought.
The linkage between the RAB program and the special forces practice is the key, if I understand the issue correctly. The problem is that traditionally the special forces--with their regional focus--were the lead force in training the militaries of allies.
But with the War of Terror nowhere near over, special forces are in demand for their more kinetic skills rather than their culturally sensitive training skills. So the regular Army needs to step up its game to relieve the special forces of that task. So we are training brigades to fill this role by specializing in a region. That's why AFRICOM got the first one.
I have no doubt that other brigades will be formed to support other regional commands.
And I have little doubt that special forces will reclaim their training role when they are no longer so active in the field, and that the regionally aligned brigade concept will dwindle and perhaps end.
