The Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT) in the Future: An Assessment of Capabilities Against the Hybrid Threat in the Future Operational Environment

Does the Armored Brigade Combat Team ABCT have adequate capabilities to defeat potential hybrid threats in future operational environments OE The purpose of this research was to assess the three Brigade Combat Teams BCTs effectiveness in unified land operations conducting offensive, defensive, and stability operations against a hybrid threat. The BCTs were evaluated based on their structure, equipment, and skill sets authorized in the 2013 Modified Table of Organization and Equipment MTOEs, Field Manual 3-90.6, The Brigade Combat Team and the Army FORCES website. Future OEs were defined by using TRADOCs Operational Environments to 2028 The Strategic Environment for Unified Land Operations. The hybrid threat was defined in accordance with Training Circular 7-100, Hybrid Threat. ABCTs have improved training, implemented new doctrine, and received augmented equipment. However, a problem remains insufficient research to assess the modular ABCTs capabilities and effectiveness in future OEs versus potential hybrid threats. The research plan used a qualitative approach that included an analysis of doctrine and literature, an analysis of the BCTs capabilities compared to strategic requirements, followed by a tactical case study assessment, and a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats SWOT analysis of the BCTs against a hybrid threat. The results from the analysis generated findings organized according to the organization, training, materiel, and personnel of the Doctrine, Organization, Training, Material, Leadership, Personnel, and Facilities DOTMLPF framework.