Accession Number:

ADB006176

Title:

The Sixteen Division Force: Anatomy of a Decision

Descriptive Note:

Final rept.

Corporate Author:

ARMY COMMAND AND GENERAL STAFF COLL FORT LEAVENWORTH KS

Personal Author(s):

• Abrams, Jr, Creighton W.

Report Date:

1975-06-06

Pagination or Media Count:

68.0

Abstract:

The sixteen division force decision is analyzed primarily from the military perspective of its originator, General Abrams. However, the perspectives of the Congress, of the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the Army, and of the Army staff planners who must make that decision work were also vital aspects of the decision and are accordingly analyzed. There are some short-term risks in readiness attendant to attaining sixteen divisions quickly without increasing the end strength of the Army. Nevertheless, by taking that initiative, the Army has re-established its credibility with the Congress, which has already responded by, for the first time in five years, not reducing the Armys end strength, has reoriented the Army internally toward more intensive management of its assets, as well as toward its primary mission of fighting, and has provided a signal to adversaries and allies alike that there is an irreducible minimum to American resolve.

Descriptors:

• *MILITARY FORCE LEVELS
• *ARMY PLANNING
• COMBAT READINESS
• THESES
• DOCTRINE
• STRATEGIC WARFARE
• DEFENSE PLANNING
• DECISION MAKING
• RISK
• THREAT EVALUATION

Subject Categories:

• Military Operations, Strategy and Tactics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE