LESSON 2
ORGANIZATION OF ARMY DIVISIONS
Section I. INTRODUCTION
2-1.
GENERAL
a. Before we discuss the organization of the division, it is important that we
emphasize a very basic fact that influences all divisional structures. This is that the
current organization of the division, as the basic organization employing the combined
arms and services, represents the US Army's best thoughts on the proper balance of
the arms and services to gain maximum firepower, mobility, communication, and
surveillance. As these ingredients improve or change, the organizational structure can
be expected to change to accommodate them. This modernization is one reason why
so many changes in divisional organizations have occurred since World War II. Other
reasons are the increasing complexity of modern warfare and the wide range of
operational environments in which a division may have to operate.
b. The division is the smallest tactical organization in the Army in which all the
arms and services are represented in enough strength to permit large-scale combat
operations. The mission of the division is the destruction of enemy military forces and
the control of land areas including populations and resources.
c. The Army division consists of a relatively fixed nucleus of command and
control, combat, CS, and CSS support units--all collectively referred to as the division
base to which are attached various combinations of maneuver (combat) battalions:
infantry, mechanized infantry, or tank.
d. Currently, US Army divisions are being structured into one of two division types. If
a division is typed as "heavy" a majority of its maneuver elements will be armored or
mechanized. A division typed as "light" will have a majority of its maneuver elements
consisting of infantry or light units. Figure 2-1 shows the composition of the three most
common types of division armored, infantry, and infantry (mechanized). The term-
mechanized division will be used throughout the subcourse in referring to the infantry
division (mechanized).
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2-2