Light Infantry Division - How Many are Needed? (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781249371731)

The purpose of this thesis is to determine how many Active Component and National Guard light infantry divisions are needed in the Army of Excellence (AOE) force structure through a survey of historical and current literature. The study analyzes the historical perspectives and current strategic thoughts being used to defend the utility of and need for the light infantry division. From the findings, two conclusions are drawn. First, the light infantry division does have utility on the battlefield through the 1990's. Second, the AOE force structure needs to be balanced between heavy and light divisions. The study then provides four approaches for arriving at an optimum program number of light infantry divisions: the balanced, the Active component, the corps, and the theater. The thesis concludes that the five light infantry divisions currently planned fall within the approach brackets, but that the planned componentry, stationing, assignment, and missions do not appear to fall with the rationale devised for any of the approaches.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.