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Over 4,000 members of the 1st BCT, 34th Infantry Division, in a special formation for a farewell ceremony.

The brigade combat team (BCT) is the basic deployable unit of maneuver in the U.S. Army. A brigade combat team consists of one combat arms branch maneuver brigade and its assigned support and fire units. A brigade is normally commanded by a colonel (O-6) although in some cases a brigadier general (O-7) may assume command.[1] A brigade combat team contains combat support and combat service support units necessary to sustain its operations. BCTs contain organic artillery training and support, received from the parent division artillery (DIVARTY).[2][3] There are three types of brigade combat teams: infantry, Stryker, and armored.

Currently, the U.S. Army is structured around the brigade combat team.[4] In this program, divisions that previously had not deployed individual brigades due to a lack of integral support have now been restructured. The 1st Armored Division, 25th Infantry Division, etc. now can deploy one or more BCTs anywhere in the world. These BCTs are intended to be able to stand on their own,[5] like a division in miniature. The soldiers assigned to a BCT will stay at their assignment for three years; this is intended to bolster readiness and improve unit cohesion.

Infantry brigade combat team

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Infantry brigade combat team table of organization

The Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT), as of 2014, contains 4,413 soldiers and is organized around three battalions of infantry. Each type of brigade—(infantry or airborne infantry)—has the same basic organization. Each infantry brigade is equipped and capable of air assault operations. Also, most units typically maneuver in HMMWVs when deployed and operate as "motorized infantry" to facilitate speed of movement. The Infantry BCT can conduct entry operations by ground, air, and amphibious means.

Apart from the three infantry battalions, each brigade typically contains one cavalry (reconnaissance) battalion, one brigade support battalion, one engineer battalion and one field artillery (fires) battalion, totaling seven battalions.[4] As of May 2025, all IBCTs will covert to Mobile Brigade Combat Teams, equipped with the M1301 infantry squad vehicle to enhance mobility. The MBCT structure was yet to be defined[6]

Infantry battalion (×3)

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Note: OCONUS (Hawaii, Alaska and Italy) based BCTs only have two infantry battalions

Cavalry squadron

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  • Headquarters and headquarters troop
  • Mounted cavalry troop (×2)
  • Dismounted cavalry troop

Field artillery (fires) battalion

[edit]
  • Headquarters and headquarters battery
  • M119 105 mm towed howitzer battery (×2)
  • M777A2 155 mm towed howitzer battery

Brigade engineer battalion

[edit]

Brigade support battalion

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  • Headquarters and headquarters company
  • Distribution company
  • Field maintenance company
  • Medical company
  • Forward support company (reconnaissance)
  • Forward support company (engineer)
  • Forward support company (infantry) (×3)
  • Forward support company (Field Artillery)

Stryker brigade combat team

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Stryker brigade combat team table of organization

The Stryker brigade combat team (SBCT) is a mechanized infantry force structured around the Stryker eight-wheeled variant of the General Dynamics LAV III. A full Stryker brigade was intended to be C-130 Hercules-air transportable into theatre within 96 hours, while a division-sized force is expected to need 120 hours. The Stryker brigade is an organic combined arms unit of lightly-armored, medium-weight wheeled vehicles, and is organized differently from the infantry or armored brigade combat teams. The Stryker brigades are being used to implement network-centric warfare doctrines, and are intended to fill a gap between the United States' highly mobile light infantry and its much heavier armored infantry. The team also receives training in chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense (CBRN defense).[7]

Each Stryker brigade combat team consists of three infantry battalions, one reconnaissance (cavalry) squadron, one fires (artillery) battalion, one brigade support battalion, one brigade headquarters and headquarters company, and one brigade engineer battalion. A Stryker brigade is made up of more than 300 Stryker vehicles and 4,500 soldiers.[8][9]

Starting in 2015, the anti-tank company was reflagged from the brigade engineer battalion to the cavalry squadron, to form a weapons troop—also incorporating the mobile gun systems from the infantry battalions.[10] The MGS is retired since the end of 2022.[11]

Infantry battalion (×3)

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Cavalry squadron

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  • Headquarters and headquarters troop
  • Cavalry troop (Stryker) (×3)
  • Weapons troop (9 × ATGM)

Field artillery (fires) battalion

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Mobile Gun System, retired since the end of 2022

Brigade support battalion

[edit]
  • Headquarters and headquarters company
  • Distribution company
  • Medical company
  • Forward support company (reconnaissance)
  • Forward support company (engineer)
  • Forward support company (infantry) (×3)
  • Forward support company (field artillery)

Brigade engineer battalion

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Stryker vehicles

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Armored brigade combat team

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Armored brigade combat team table of organization

The armored brigade combat team (ABCT) is the Army's primary armored force. It is designed around combined arms battalions (CABs) that contain both M1 Abrams tanks and M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs). Other vehicles, such as HMMWVs and M113 armored personnel carrier, operate in a supporting role. In the future, it will also contain vehicles from the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle and likely the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) programs.

An armored brigade combat team consists of seven battalions: three combined arms battalions, one cavalry (reconnaissance) squadron, one artillery battalion, one engineer battalion and one brigade support battalion. As of 2014, the armored brigade combat team is the largest brigade combat team formation with 4,743 soldiers. Prior to 2012, the armored brigade combat team was named the heavy brigade combat team.[4]

An ABCT includes 87 Abrams, 152 Bradley IFVs, 18 M109 self-propelled howitizers and 45 armed M113 vehicles.[12] The operational cost for these combat systems is $66,735 per mile. The range of the Abrams limits the brigade to 330 km (205 miles), requiring fuel every 12 hours. The brigade can self-transport 738,100 L (195,000 gallons) of fuel, which is transported by 15 19,000 L (5,000 gal) M969A1 tankers and 48 9,500 L (2,500 gal) M978 tankers.[13]

Prior to 2016, the CAB contained two tank companies and two mechanized infantry companies. In 2016, the CAB was reorganized to have two variations: an "armored battalion" biased towards armor, with two tank companies and one mechanized infantry company; and a "mechanized infantry" battalion biased towards infantry, with two mechanized infantry companies and one tank company. The ABCTs thus adopted a "triangle" structure of two armored battalions and one mechanized infantry battalion.[14] This resulted in an overall reduction of two mechanized infantry companies; the deleted armored company was reflagged to the cavalry squadron.

In 2021 the US Army announced its Waypoint 2028 program which saw the force begin to shift its doctrinal and organizational focus towards what it called Large Scale Combat Operations (LSCO).[15] The shift away from counter insurgency and to combat with a near peer threat meant a shift away from an organization focused on Brigade Combat Teams and back to one focused on the division echelon and above. Armored Brigade Combat teams received some of the most sweeping changes to their organization as their parent divisions were reorganized to be the central component in any attack. In January 2022 the Army would rebrand from Waypoint 2028 to Army 2030 which would bring about refinements to the proposed organizational and doctrinal changes.[16] In April 2023 the Army would release its newly formed divisional templates and BCT organizations.[17]

The new armored brigade combat teams would retain their three maneuver battalions in the post-2016 structure of two armor-heavy battalions and one infantry-heavy battalion. Armored brigades will lose their own organic cavalry squadron which will be passed up to the divisional level in a new cavalry regiment. In lieu of this brigade headquarters will receive a 6 Bradley recon platoon. Armored brigades will also have their organic artillery shifted up to the divisional level so that they can be more effective concentrated across the entire engagement front. Finally the organic engineering battalion will be shifted up to a division level engineering brigade so that it too can be more effectively concentrated to the main effort brigade when needed.

Post-2023 organizational restructure for combined armor/infantry assets

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US Armored Brigade (Combined Arms) ORBAT

Armored Battalion (×2)

[edit]

Mechanized Infantry Battalion (×1)

[edit]

Cavalry Squadron (×1)

[edit]
  • Headquarters and Headquarters Troop
  • Tank Troop (×2)
  • Cavalry Troop (x2)

Field artillery (fires) battalion

[edit]
  • Headquarters and headquarters battery
  • M109 155 mm self propelled howitzer battery (×2)

Brigade engineer battalion

[edit]

Brigade Support Battalion

[edit]


Modernization

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Main article: Reorganization plan of United States Army

The U.S. Army planned to implement elements of the BCT Modernization program in 2010. This program was planned to utilize elements from the Future Combat Systems program that was canceled in early 2009.

The program came in two segments. The first to be implemented would be the Early Infantry Brigade Combat Team Capability Package (Early IBCT Package), which would modernize infantry brigade combat teams. The second to be implemented would be the Follow-on Incremental Capabilities Package, which could modernize all brigades.

2013 Reorganization

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After the 2013 reform's round of de-activations and downsizing, the below numbers represent the number of BCTs that were left in the US Army's Active Component. (Numbers after the brigade re-organization in brackets)

Combat brigades: 45 (32)[18][19][20][21]

  • 17 (10) armored brigade combat teams
  • 8 (8) Stryker brigade combat teams
  • 20 (14) infantry brigade combat teams including airborne IBCTs

In July 2015, the Army announced the reduction of 2 additional BCTs as part of ongoing reductions to an end strength of 450,000. In addition to the reduction, one active Stryker BCT will convert to an infantry BCT, and its vehicles will be used to convert an Army National Guard BCT from armored to Stryker.

In April 2017, the Army confirmed that the proposed downsizing of 4/25 (Airborne) BCT was being reversed, and the BCT retained.[22]

As of September 2018, the active duty component of United States Army consists of 31 brigade combat teams:[23]

  • 14 infantry brigade combat teams (including airborne brigades)
  • 11 armored brigade combat teams
  • 6 Stryker brigade combat teams

On 20 September 2018, the Army announced that the 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Armored Division (1/1 AD) stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas, will convert from a Stryker brigade combat team (SBCT) to an armored brigade combat team (ABCT); and the 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 4th Infantry Division (2/4 ID) stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado, will convert from an infantry brigade combat team (IBCT) to a SBCT. The conversion of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, and the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, were planned to begin in the spring of 2019 and spring of 2020 respectively.[24][23] With 25th Infantry Division Alaska's change to 11th Airborne Division in 2022, the Army will have one less Stryker Brigade and one more Infantry brigade, changing the total to 15 IBCTs and 6 SBCTs.[25]

Army National Guard brigade combat teams have the same TOE as active duty component BCTs. As of September 2018, the Army National Guard consists of 27 BCTs:[23]

  • 20 infantry brigade combat teams
  • 5 armored brigade combat teams
  • 2 Stryker brigade combat teams

ARSTRUC 2025-2029

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In February 2024, the Army announced upcoming changes to Army force structure, which included changes to certain BCT organization. Changes to brigade combat teams included the deactivation of RSTA Cavalry squadrons for CONUS-based Infantry BCTs and Stryker BCTs. IBCTs and SBCTs based outside of CONUS have retained their RSTA squadrons. Simultaneously, division-level cavalry squadrons are planned to be activated. Also, heavy weapon companies in IBCT infantry battalions were downsized to weapon platoons under the battalion HHC.[1] Artillery battalions were removed from BCT command and returned to the control of DIVARTY.

See also

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References

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Additional reading

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Brigade combat team

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
A brigade combat team (BCT) is the Army's primary formation and tactical fighting unit, designed to conduct offensive, defensive, and stability operations as part of a division or , integrating maneuver, fires, , , and sustainment capabilities to seize, retain, and exploit the initiative in large-scale or other contingencies. The BCT concept emerged in the early 2000s as part of the Army's modular force transformation, introduced in Field Manual 3-0 in 2001 to create adaptable, self-sustaining units capable of independent or semi-independent operations, drawing lessons from conflicts like Operations Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom to enhance flexibility against evolving threats. In 2021, Field Manual 3-96 formalized BCT doctrine, emphasizing their role in unified land operations to shape security environments, deter adversaries, prevail in combat, and consolidate gains through decisive action. Evolutions as of 2025, building on the 2020 Army Futures Command concept and the 2024 Force Structure Transformation Initiative, integrate multi-domain operations (MDO) to synchronize effects across land, air, maritime, space, cyberspace, and the electromagnetic spectrum, enabling dispersed, task-organized formations—including emerging Mobile Brigade Combat Teams (MBCTs)—to compete, deter, and win against near-peer competitors. BCTs are organized into three main types, each optimized for specific terrains and missions, with Infantry BCTs (IBCTs) transitioning to Mobile BCTs (MBCTs) for improved speed, mobility, and lethality as of 2025: the Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT), equipped with over 80 M1 Abrams tanks and 140 M2 Bradley vehicles for heavy, mechanized operations in open terrain; the Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT), featuring wheeled Stryker vehicles for rapid deployment and mobility in medium-risk environments; and the Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT), including light and airborne variants for foot-mobile or air-assault operations in complex or urban settings. Each type centers on a brigade headquarters with 2–3 maneuver battalions (infantry or combined arms), a cavalry squadron for reconnaissance and security, a field artillery battalion for fires support, a brigade engineer battalion, a military intelligence company, and a brigade support battalion to ensure sustainment and operational endurance. Command structures include multiple command posts—main, tactical, and early-entry—for distributed operations, supported by staff sections handling personnel, intelligence, operations, logistics, and fires. In practice, BCTs execute cross-domain maneuver to defeat enemy forces, control key terrain, protect populations, and support and multinational partners, with capabilities scalable through attachments like or cyber units from higher echelons. They emphasize lethality via synchronized fires and maneuver, survivability through dispersion and protection, and adaptability to hybrid threats, as demonstrated in exercises like those under since 2017. Ongoing transformations, including integration of unmanned systems and as part of ARSTRUC 2025-2029, aim to enhance tempo and overmatch in contested environments by 2028 and beyond.

Overview

Definition and purpose

A brigade combat team (BCT) is the U.S. 's primary close combat force, serving as a modular, unit organized around , , or armored maneuver battalions to conduct offensive, defensive, and stability operations across the range of operations. Typically comprising 3,500 to 5,000 soldiers, the BCT integrates maneuver, fires, sustainment, and capabilities such as , , and signal support to enable synchronized lethal and nonlethal effects. The primary purpose of the BCT is to execute decisive, shaping, and sustaining operations that seize, retain, and exploit the initiative, achieving tactical against adversaries in diverse environments while supporting broader joint force objectives. This formation provides scalable power for rapid deployment and sustained engagements, emphasizing modularity to allow task organization and attachment to higher echelons like divisions or for flexible employment in , , or conflict. Key characteristics of the BCT include its self-sufficiency through organic elements like the , which delivers logistics, maintenance, and medical support to sustain semi-independent actions without immediate higher echelon intervention. Its facilitates adaptability via augmentations, such as or additional armor, based on mission variables, ensuring the BCT can operate effectively in unified operations. The BCT concept emerged post-Cold War as part of the 's shift to modular forces, replacing more rigid divisional structures with agile brigades capable of addressing evolving global threats.

Role in US Army operations

The Brigade Combat Team (BCT) serves as the 's principal maneuver unit below the division level, functioning as the primary , close-combat force capable of independent operations within a division's or as part of a . These units are designed for rapid deployment via air or sea lift to support contingency operations, providing commanders with a versatile, self-contained formation for crisis response. BCTs routinely operate under unified commands such as U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and U.S. European Command (EUCOM), integrating into theater-level plans to shape security environments or deter aggression. For instance, armored BCTs have been rotationally deployed to EUCOM's to enhance deterrence against peer threats. In operational employment, BCTs execute a range of missions including offensive maneuvers to defeat forces, defensive operations to protect key terrain, and stability tasks to consolidate gains and support host-nation partners. They emphasize closing with and destroying units through direct fires and maneuver, often conducting the majority of engagements in close operations under division guidance. During the Global War on Terror, BCTs were surge-deployed to and , where they independently led efforts, securing populations and conducting area security in volatile environments. This doctrinal alignment stems from Field Manual (FM) 3-0, Operations, which positions BCTs within the multidomain operations framework to synchronize maneuver—integrating , armor, , and enablers—for decisive effects against adversaries. The manual also highlights their role in wide-area security, where BCTs protect lines of communication, bases, and while enabling transitions to post-conflict stability. BCTs demonstrate scalability through task organization, allowing commanders to attach or detach units such as task forces for enhanced mobility or cyber elements for operations, adapting to and multinational requirements. This flexibility enables BCTs to operate in contested environments, subdividing areas of operations into zones for subordinate battalions while synchronizing warfighting functions like and fires. In operations, they integrate with air, maritime, and forces, contributing to unified effects across domains during large-scale combat or crisis response.

Historical development

Origins in modular forces

The Brigade Combat Team (BCT) concept emerged as a cornerstone of the U.S. 's post-Cold War reforms, driven by the need to transition from a division-centric structure to more agile, deployable units following the Soviet Union's collapse and significant force reductions in the . Amid downsizing from 18 active divisions to 10, the Army sought to address limitations exposed in operations like Desert Storm (1990–1991), where large divisions proved slow to deploy and cumbersome for rapid response, and peacekeeping missions in , Bosnia, and , which demanded lighter, self-sufficient formations capable of handling diverse missions without heavy reliance on parent divisions. This doctrinal shift was formalized through the Army Transformation Initiative, which evolved from early 1990s concepts like Force XXI and gained momentum under Chiefs of Staff Generals Gordon Sullivan and , emphasizing modularity to enhance expeditionary capabilities. A pivotal milestone came in 2003 with General Peter J. Schoomaker's Objective Force concept, which envisioned a future Army of versatile, networked units optimized for strategic mobility and joint operations. By 2004, this led to the design of standardized modular brigades—typically comprising 3,500 to 4,000 soldiers with organic combat support and service elements—enabling rapid rotations and sustainability for emerging threats like the Global War on Terror. Initial implementation began in 2005, with the activation of the first modular BCTs, including the 172nd Infantry Brigade in as a , marking the brigade as the primary warfighting echelon and standardizing structures across heavy, infantry, and variants to replace ad hoc task organizations. This restructuring aimed to produce 43 to 48 active BCTs by the late 2000s, facilitating quicker deployments and greater operational flexibility.

Evolution during Global War on Terror

During the initial phases of the Global War on Terror, particularly the , U.S. Army brigades were often deployed on an ad-hoc basis, task-organized under divisions such as the 3rd Infantry Division, which advanced rapidly to using flexible, non-modular structures inherited from earlier Army designs. These early operations emphasized conventional maneuver but quickly transitioned to stability tasks amid rising , with sustainment challenges arising from mismatched equipment and rapid force deployments. The first Brigade Combat Team (BCT) deployed to in late 2003, marking an early step toward modularity, though formal BCT structures were still evolving. By 2006, as demands intensified during the Iraq surge preparations, ad-hoc formations gave way to more standardized BCTs, refined for urban operations through enhanced task organization and whole-unit deployments. Key adaptations during this period included bolstering and surveillance capabilities within BCTs, such as the integration of (RSTA) assets to support population-centric tactics. Military units were increasingly embedded to handle route clearance and wide-area security, addressing threats that plagued convoys and patrols in and . The 2007 Iraq surge exemplified these changes, adding five Army BCTs to the existing force and peaking at approximately 20 BCTs in theater by 2009, enabling denser coverage in volatile areas like and Anbar Province while incorporating and engineer elements for stability. In , similar surges in 2009 expanded BCT presence to support partnered clears and holds, with adaptations focusing on real-time fusion to counter dispersed threats. Combat experiences yielded critical lessons on partnered operations, where BCTs emphasized collaboration with host-nation forces, such as mentoring Iraqi Security Force battalions during the 2007 surge and integrating Sunni tribal elements in the Anbar Awakening to target networks. These efforts highlighted the value of sociocultural intelligence, including Human Terrain Teams, to build trust and enable joint patrols, though challenges like corruption and capacity gaps persisted. Sustainment evolved to support prolonged stability missions, with Commander's Emergency Response Program funds—totaling billions—used for reconstruction projects like schools and highways, underscoring the need for robust logistics to maintain BCT endurance in noncontiguous battlespaces. Overall, these adaptations reinforced the brigade's role as a self-sufficient unit for , prioritizing host-nation enablement over unilateral action. Following the 2011 drawdown in Iraq, which reduced U.S. BCT presence to zero by December, and similar reductions in to six BCTs focused on advisory roles, the shifted BCT priorities toward readiness for peer competitors. This transition, informed by GWOT lessons on and enablers, prompted 2013 reforms that enhanced BCT versatility, including additions to maneuver and support elements to prepare for large-scale operations against advanced adversaries. The emphasis moved from sustainment to scalable force generation under the Force Generation model, ensuring BCTs could pivot between stability and high-intensity threats.

Common organizational elements

Headquarters and headquarters company

The Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) of a Brigade Combat Team (BCT) serves as the primary element, integrating staff functions to enable the to execute across the formation. It consists of the staff organized into sections S1 through S6, covering personnel (S1), (S2), operations (S3), (S4), plans (S5), and signal/communications (S6), along with a dedicated signal company for network support and a military intelligence company responsible for analysis, including , , and . The military intelligence company also incorporates a tactical unmanned system platoon equipped with four RQ-7 Shadow for . This structure provides the BCT with organic capabilities for processing and communication sustainment, with the overall HHC comprising the staff, signal company (~100-150 soldiers), and military intelligence company (~150-200 soldiers), totaling several hundred personnel varying by BCT type (, Stryker, or armored) and mission requirements to support scalable operations. The HHC coordinates BCT-wide operations by synchronizing activities across subordinate battalions and attached units, maintaining the battle rhythm through structured events such as daily battle rhythm working groups, operations synchronization meetings, and targeting boards. It manages the targeting process using the decide-detect-deliver-assess framework to prioritize threats and allocate resources, while integrating joint fires through embedded liaison officers, including air liaison officers who facilitate coordination with air support assets. These functions ensure unity of effort, with the S3 section leading planning and the S2 providing enemy situational updates to develop a common operational picture. The HHC also supports information collection plans and interoperability with joint or multinational forces, drawing on sustainment from the brigade support battalion for logistics and medical needs to maintain operational tempo. For , the HHC employs advanced networked systems to achieve real-time , centered on the Joint Battle Command-Platform (JBC-P) for digital tracking of friendly and enemy positions. This is augmented by the Command Post Computing Environment (CPCE) for collaborative planning, the Distributed Common Ground System-Army (DCGS-A) for intelligence fusion, and the Global Combat Support System-Army (GCSS-Army) for logistics visibility, all integrated into the Department of Defense Information Network-Army. The signal company maintains these C2 networks using assets like the Joint Network Node and Secure Mobile Anti-Jam Reliable Tactical Terminal, with analog backups such as Combat Net Radio for in contested environments. Command posts—main, tactical, and field trains—are configured flexibly within the HHC to adapt to the operational environment, ensuring continuous connectivity and decision-making support.

Brigade support battalion

As of 2025, the primary sustainment unit in a Brigade Combat Team (BCT) is the brigade support battalion (BSB) for Armored and Stryker BCTs, or the light support battalion (LSB) for Mobile BCTs (formerly Infantry BCTs, all converted by May 2025 under ARSTRUC 2025-2029). This transformation decentralizes sustainment to reduce vulnerability, deactivates select forward support companies (FSCs) in LSBs (e.g., those for two infantry battalions and the cavalry squadron, leaving typically 2-3 FSCs), and emphasizes cluster-based operations integrated with division sustainment brigades for enhanced agility in large-scale combat. The core composition for traditional BSBs (and similar for LSBs, adjusted for scale) includes a headquarters and headquarters company (HHC) that oversees planning through a support operations (SPO) section; a distribution company responsible for transportation, supply point operations, fuel and water distribution, and field feeding sections; a field maintenance company equipped for equipment repair and recovery; and a brigade support medical company (BSMC) that delivers Role 1 and Role 2 medical care, including treatment, preventive medicine, behavioral health, and casualty evacuation capabilities. Additionally, forward support companies (FSCs) are organic but attached to maneuver battalions (or select units in LSBs) for tailored sustainment, while a supply support activity (SSA) operates within the distribution company to manage stockage and issuance of supplies. The BSB's (or LSB's) functions encompass the provision of Classes I through IX supplies, ensuring the BCT receives subsistence (Class I), clothing and equipment (Class II), petroleum products (Class III), construction materials (Class IV), (Class V), personal demand items (Class VI), major end items (Class VII), medical supplies (Class VIII), and repair parts (Class IX). It facilitates distribution via a modular ammunition transfer point (MATP) and coordinates operations through recovery teams and assets like transporters. is handled primarily by the BSMC's evacuation , integrating ground and air medical assets, while field feeding supports nutritional needs across the brigade. These efforts enable the BCT to conduct sustained operations, with units forecasting and requisitioning supplies for up to 14 days to maintain operational tempo in decisive action environments. In LSBs, resupply increasingly relies on division-level throughput and modular clusters for contested environments. In terms of capabilities, the BSB (or LSB) employs forward support companies to deliver multifunctional directly to attached maneuver units, including , supply, and at the tactical edge. Resupply operations leverage methods such as logistics package (LOGPAC) convoys, supply point distribution, and throughput from higher echelons, often using palletized loading systems for efficient air and ground delivery to extend reach in contested environments. The BSB coordinates these activities with BCT headquarters through its SPO, integrating sustainment into the brigade's . Personnel strength varies by BCT type and : ~700-800 soldiers in Mobile BCT LSBs, approximately 950 in BCTs, and over 1,300 in armored BCTs, comprising specialists trained in multifunctional roles to support continuous operations.

Infantry brigade combat team

Infantry battalions

The battalions form the primary maneuver force within an Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT), consisting of three battalions that emphasize dismounted operations and versatility across diverse terrains. Each is organized with a and company (HHC), three rifle companies (Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie), and one (Delta), enabling flexible task organization for combat missions. This structure supports approximately 500 to 800 soldiers per , contributing to a total of around 2,400 personnel across the brigade's maneuver elements. Infantry soldiers are equipped with standard light weapons suited for close combat, including the as the primary individual , M240 medium machine guns for squad-level , and man-portable anti-tank guided missiles for engaging armored threats. Mobility relies on lightweight, unarmored vehicles such as High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs) to transport troops and supplies over rough terrain, prioritizing rapid deployment over heavy protection. These assets allow battalions to conduct dismounted assaults, raids, and patrols, focusing on foot mobility to navigate challenging environments like mountainous regions or dense urban areas where tracked or wheeled heavy vehicles would be impractical. The battalions execute core roles in offensive and defensive operations, closing with and destroying enemy forces through fire and maneuver while securing key objectives or conducting stability tasks such as cordon and search. Training emphasizes tactical proficiency in dismounted infantry tactics, with some IBCTs, such as those in the 82nd Airborne Division, incorporating specialized airborne and air assault capabilities to enable rapid global deployment via parachute or helicopter insertion. Infantry battalions integrate reconnaissance from the cavalry squadron to enhance situational awareness during patrols and assaults.

Cavalry squadron

The cavalry squadron in an Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) serves as the primary , , and element, consisting of a and headquarters (HHT), three troops (two mounted, one dismounted in standard configuration), and support elements. Each includes scout platoons equipped for forward observation, a headquarters section, and mortar sections for indirect fires, with the squadron totaling approximately 400-500 personnel to support sustained operations in complex terrain. Airborne variants, such as in the , emphasize parachute-deployable assets for rapid insertion. As of 2025, ongoing modernizations under Army Structure 2025-2029 integrate multidomain capabilities, including enhanced unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for deeper sensing. Equipped primarily with High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs) armed with .50 caliber machine guns or MK 19 grenade launchers, the squadron prioritizes speed and stealth in surveillance missions over heavy armor. Small UAS like the RQ-11 Raven provide persistent aerial observation, enabling scouts to gather intelligence from standoff distances without exposing personnel. Dismounted elements use man-portable sensors and anti-armor weapons for close in urban or forested areas. The squadron conducts to map enemy positions and terrain, security operations such as screening flanks or guarding assemblies, and counter- to deny enemy . It provides targeting data for fires, integrating with battalions to shape the . In contested environments, resilient communications and drone swarms enhance early warning against threats like electronic warfare.

Field artillery battalion

The field artillery battalion in an Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) serves as the primary indirect fires unit, delivering mobile and precise support to enhance maneuver in complex and austere environments. Organized with a headquarters and headquarters battery (HHB), two to three firing batteries, a target acquisition platoon, and a forward support company, the battalion fields 12-18 howitzers total. Standard firing batteries use six M119A3 105mm towed howitzers each, with some configurations including M777A2 155mm for extended range; airborne IBCTs use only M119 for air-transportability. The HHB coordinates fires integration, with approximately 500 personnel enabling rapid displacement. The lightweight M119 howitzers (towed by HMMWVs or FMTVs) allow setup and movement in under 10 minutes, supporting the IBCT's emphasis on agility in rough terrain. Ranges reach 11.5 kilometers with standard rounds for the M119 and 24-40 kilometers for the M777 using precision-guided munitions like , minimizing . The platoon uses AN/TPQ-50 radars to locate enemy fires for counter-battery missions. Operationally, the battalion provides close support for infantry advances, including suppressive fires and high-angle attacks in urban settings, as well as artillery raids via air assault. Forward observers embedded with maneuver units call precise strikes using digital fire direction systems. As of , integrations with extended-range munitions enhance lethality in large-scale . Logistically, the forward support company handles maintenance and basic resupply, while the delivers ammunition (initial loads of 30-40 rounds per ) via convoy or to sustain high rates of fire. This setup ensures the battalion matches the IBCT's expeditionary tempo without heavy self-propelled systems.

Brigade engineer battalion

The brigade engineer battalion (BEB) in the Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) provides integrated support for mobility, countermobility, and to enable dismounted operations in diverse terrains. The BEB includes a and (HHC), a for breaching, a mobility augmentation for route clearance, a support , plus and signal elements, totaling approximately 400-600 personnel. Airborne variants feature sling-loadable equipment for rapid deployment. Key equipment includes HMMWV-based engineer vehicles with mine plows and rollers for route proofing, the rocket system for obstacle reduction, and lightweight bridging like the amphibious bridge. These assets support dismounted breaching without heavy machinery, aligning with the IBCT's light footprint. As of 2023, enhancements include robotic systems for hazard detection. The BEB conducts route clearance to open paths for patrols, countermine operations to neutralize improvised explosives, and obstacle emplacement for defense, all tailored to complex environments like urban or mountainous areas. It synchronizes with for breaching support and prioritizes air-deployability via C-130 or . In stability operations, it builds to consolidate gains. These functions minimize delays, sustaining the IBCT's operational momentum.

Stryker brigade combat team

Stryker infantry battalions

The infantry battalions constitute the primary maneuver force within the Brigade Combat Team (SBCT), with three such battalions assigned to each . Each comprises a and headquarters company (HHC), three infantry companies, and one , encompassing roughly 800 personnel in total. This organization enables the battalion to execute operations, integrating dismounted with vehicular support for versatile tactical employment. Central to the battalion's capabilities is the M1126 Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV), an eight-wheeled armored platform that carries a standard nine-soldier squad alongside a two-person crew. Each typically fields 14 ICVs, equipped with remote weapon stations for .50-caliber machine guns or 40mm grenade launchers, while the weapons incorporates additional variants such as mortar carriers and vehicles. These vehicles provide ballistic and fragmentation protection, enhanced by modular add-on armor kits. In operations, infantry battalions perform mechanized assaults, rapid raids, and security missions, leveraging their wheeled mobility to close with enemy forces in medium-intensity conflicts while balancing offensive firepower with defensive survivability. They conduct movement to contact, seizure, and defensive engagements, often coordinating with the brigade's cavalry squadron for initial to shape the battlefield. The battalion's structure supports both mounted advances and dismounted actions, allowing adaptation to urban or open . Key advantages of these battalions include high strategic and tactical mobility, with ICVs capable of road speeds up to 60 mph (97 km/h) and cross-country travel, facilitating quick repositioning and surprise. They are air-transportable by C-130 aircraft for rapid global deployment, enabling a to respond within 96 hours, and feature anti-ambush protections such as to counter rocket-propelled grenades. This combination supports sustained operations for up to 72 hours without external resupply, enhancing the SBCT's role in early-entry scenarios.

Cavalry squadron

The cavalry squadron in the Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT) serves as the primary reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition (RSTA) element, consisting of a headquarters and headquarters troop (HHT), three reconnaissance troops, a weapons troop, and a forward support company. Each reconnaissance troop includes two scout platoons equipped with Stryker reconnaissance vehicles (RVs) for mounted and dismounted operations, a mortar section, and a fire support team. The weapons troop provides anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) capabilities with Stryker ATGM variants. A multi-functional reconnaissance company (MFRC), introduced in SBCTs as of 2025, enhances versatility with a company headquarters, three scout platoons, an electronic warfare (EW) section, and a chemical reconnaissance platoon, utilizing existing brigade personnel without additional manning. Overall, the squadron comprises approximately 500 personnel, enabling sustained operations in large-scale combat environments. Equipped primarily with M1127 Stryker RVs, optimized for with enhanced sensors and dismount stations, the squadron emphasizes mobility and protection during missions. These vehicles, combined with small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) and tactical EW systems (TEWS), facilitate and from standoff distances. The integration of drones and EW assets allows scout platoons to conduct persistent observation and disrupt enemy communications without exposing personnel to direct threats, supporting the squadron's focus on information dominance. In terms of roles, the cavalry squadron conducts zone and route to gather on enemy dispositions, , and threats beyond the forward line of own troops, while providing critical targeting data for brigade and mortar systems. It performs tasks such as screening the brigade's flanks and counter- to disrupt enemy efforts. These functions are adapted for contested environments through resilient communications and early warning provided by sUAS and EW sections, ensuring operational continuity amid electronic warfare and jamming. The MFRC specifically enables multi-domain , including aerial, electromagnetic, and terrestrial screening up to 5 km frontages. Post-2022 enhancements, following the divestiture of the Mobile Gun System, have emphasized sense-and-strike capabilities through ATGMs and munitions attachments, allowing rapid transition from detection to . These upgrades increase the squadron's and reduce reliance on forces, enhancing its effectiveness in peer or near-peer conflicts.

Field artillery battalion

The field artillery battalion in a Stryker brigade combat team (SBCT) serves as the primary fires unit, delivering mobile and precise support to enhance the brigade's maneuver capabilities across various operational environments. Organized under a standard , the consists of a and battery (HHB), three firing batteries, a , and a forward support (FSC). Each firing battery is equipped with six M777A2 155mm towed howitzers, providing a total of 18 tubes for sustained fire missions. The HHB includes command, intelligence, operations, logistics, and signal sections, along with a medical , to coordinate -level activities and integrate with the brigade fires cell. Overall, the comprises approximately 500 personnel, enabling rapid deployment and repositioning to support the SBCT's emphasis on speed and versatility. The M777 howitzers are towed by (FMTV) trucks, such as the M1083A1 5-ton model, which facilitate quick setup and displacement times of under 10 minutes from the halt order, aligning with the SBCT's wheeled mobility profile. This towed configuration allows the battalion to maintain pace with vehicle formations during advances, providing on-the-move without the logistical burden of self-propelled systems. Capabilities include a standard range of 24 kilometers with conventional high-explosive projectiles, extending to 30 kilometers using rocket-assisted projectiles and up to 40 kilometers with GPS-guided precision munitions like the , enabling accurate strikes against high-value targets while minimizing . The target acquisition platoon employs systems such as the AN/TPQ-50 lightweight counterfire radar to detect and locate enemy , mortars, and rockets, supporting counterfire operations that neutralize threats to the brigade's maneuver elements. In operational roles, the battalion executes close fire support for Stryker infantry advances, including rolling barrages to suppress enemy positions during assaults and shaping fires to disrupt defenses ahead of the brigade's movement. Precision-guided shells are particularly vital for high-mobility operations, allowing strikes on fleeting targets such as command nodes or armored elements with a circular error probable of less than 10 meters. The battalion also conducts artillery raids, where batteries displace forward via air assault or rapid road march to deliver massed fires before withdrawing, exploiting the M777's light weight (under 4,200 kg) for helicopter sling-load transport if needed. These roles integrate briefly with Stryker vehicle platforms for forward observer teams, who use mounted sensors to call for fire in real-time during brigade maneuvers. Logistically, the battalion depends on its organic FSC for immediate maintenance, fuel, and Class IX repair parts, while ammunition resupply—critical for high-volume fires during sustained operations—relies on the brigade support battalion's distribution company to deliver pallets of 155mm rounds via convoy or airdrop. Each howitzer section carries an initial load of 30-40 rounds, but prolonged engagements require frequent resupply to sustain rates of fire up to four rounds per minute for short bursts, ensuring the battalion can support the SBCT's tempo without halting maneuver. This logistics chain emphasizes ammunition segregation by type and lot to maintain safety and effectiveness in dynamic environments.

Brigade engineer battalion

The brigade engineer battalion (BEB) in the brigade combat team (SBCT) delivers tailored engineering support to enhance the mobility and operational tempo of wheeled forces in decisive action environments. Organized under the modular brigade structure established in Army doctrine, the BEB integrates combat, mobility, and sustainment engineering functions to enable rapid maneuver while countering enemy obstacles and threats. This unit replaces the earlier brigade special troops battalion's engineer elements, providing dedicated engineering depth without the heavier assets of armored formations. The BEB's composition includes a and (HHC) for command, control, and planning, supported by three specialized companies: the assault breaching company, which conducts deliberate and in-stride breaching operations; the mobility augmentation company, focused on route clearance and countermine tasks; and the sustainment company, which handles construction and maintenance to support prolonged operations. With approximately 450 personnel, the maintains a lean profile suited to the SBCT's expeditionary role. Key equipment includes engineer squad vehicles (SESVs) modified for engineering missions, equipped with mine plows for proofing routes and fascines for rapid gap-crossing and obstacle filling to facilitate quick breaching. Additional assets like the M58 mine-clearing system () allow for scatterable mine employment in defensive roles, emphasizing lightweight, transportable tools that align with the SBCT's air-deployable design. These systems enable the BEB to clear paths for follow-on convoys without relying on tracked . The BEB's missions center on route opening to sustain movement, countermine operations to detect and neutralize explosive hazards, and general mobility enhancement through reduction, all optimized for the SBCT's emphasis on speed over sustained heavy . Lighter than its armored brigade team counterpart, the BEB prioritizes rapid deployment via air assets like C-130 aircraft, allowing the SBCT to quickly into contested areas. In breaching scenarios, the BEB may briefly coordinate with the field to synchronize suppressive fires on identified s. Overall, these capabilities ensure the brigade maintains momentum by minimizing delays from terrain and enemy defenses.

Stryker vehicle integration

The Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT) incorporates over 300 vehicles across more than 10 variants, forming the core of its mobility and firepower. Key variants include the Carrier Vehicle (ICV) for troop transport, (RV) for scouting, (MC) for support, Commander's Vehicle (CV) for leadership elements, Vehicle (MEV) for casualty handling, Vehicle (FSV), (ATGM) vehicle for armor engagement, Engineer Squad Vehicle (ESV) for mobility enhancement, and CBRN Reconnaissance Vehicle (NBCRV) for hazard detection. As of 2025, upgrades to Double-V Hull A1 (DVH A1) configurations, including ATGMV-A1 and CVV-A1 variants, enhance protection against IEDs and mines while integrating advanced sensors for improved lethality in contested environments. These variants enable tailored mission roles while maintaining a common wheeled platform for logistical efficiency. Integration of Stryker vehicles centers on providing protected mobility and protection for 8-9 soldiers per ICV, with two crew members (driver and vehicle commander) operating the platform alongside a nine-soldier squad. The vehicles are networked through the Blue Force Tracker (BFT) system, now evolved into Joint Battle Command-Platform (JBC-P), which shares real-time of friendly positions, threats, and terrain across the brigade. This connectivity supports synchronized operations, allowing battalions to employ the vehicles as primary transport platforms for mounted assaults and dismounted actions. Operationally, the Stryker fleet enables brigade-level mechanized maneuver with speeds and responsiveness that bridge light and heavy forces, facilitating rapid deployment and decisive engagement in full-spectrum operations. Upgrades such as the Double-V Hull (DVH) configuration enhance underbelly protection against improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and mines, improving survivability in asymmetric threats without sacrificing mobility. The 2025 DVH A1 variants further incorporate improved armor and electronics for multi-domain operations. Stryker vehicles feature a that allows for field-level repairs and rapid reconfiguration of components, reducing downtime during sustained operations. Their dimensions and weight (approximately 19 tons for most variants) make them air-transportable in C-17 Globemaster III aircraft, supporting strategic deployment of an entire within days.

Armored brigade combat team

Pre-2023 structure

The pre-2023 Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT) was organized around three battalions (two tank-heavy and one infantry-heavy) optimized for high-intensity, , supported by a cavalry squadron, field artillery battalion, brigade engineer battalion, and . This composition totaled approximately 4,500 personnel, enabling the ABCT to deliver overwhelming and mobility through integrated armored and units. The focus on heavy armor emphasized decisive engagements, with the tank-heavy battalions providing the core offensive capability for exploiting breakthroughs in enemy lines. Key equipment included the , with a brigade total of 87 tanks distributed across tank companies in the battalions, and the , with the infantry-heavy battalion fielding approximately 30 vehicles to support dismounted infantry operations. This combination facilitated tactics, where tanks and Bradleys operated in concert to achieve superiority in open terrain, such as plains or deserts, allowing for rapid advances and direct confrontations. The ABCT's roles centered on conducting breakthrough operations to shatter enemy defenses and engaging in tank duels to neutralize armored threats, making it a cornerstone for deterrence in regions like and the Korean Peninsula, where units were routinely forward-deployed or rotated to counter potential aggression. Despite its strengths in , the ABCT faced significant limitations due to its heavy reliance on tracked vehicles and fuel-intensive systems, resulting in a substantial footprint that demanded extensive supply chains for , , and —often requiring up to twice the sustainment resources of lighter formations. This made the ABCT less adaptable for rapid global deployment, as its equipment's size and weight complicated or operations, limiting its responsiveness in expeditionary scenarios compared to or BCTs. Deploying an ABCT across continents involves extreme distances of thousands of kilometers, necessitating extensive coordination of rail and sea transport; heavy dependency on host nations for rear-area logistics including fuel, ammunition, and maintenance; and constraints in strategic airlift and sealift capacities for large armored units like tanks, rendering extended supply lines highly vulnerable to disruption. These challenges prompted subsequent reorganizations to enhance versatility.

Post-2023 reorganization

In 2023, the U.S. Army initiated planning for the reorganization of Armored Brigade Combat Teams (ABCTs) as part of its shift toward multi-domain operations, with formal implementation under the 2.0 initiative beginning in 2024 and expanding in 2025. As of November 2025, the transformation is in early implementation phases, with initial rotations at the National Training Center. This restructuring emphasizes enhanced sensing, striking, and maneuver capabilities to counter near-peer threats in large-scale combat operations. The rationale for these changes stems from lessons observed in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, where prolonged stalemates underscored vulnerabilities in traditional heavy formations under constant and precision fires. To address dynamics, the Army sought to balance armored firepower with greater mobility and integration, enabling ABCTs to penetrate defenses, exploit gaps, and sustain momentum against adversaries like or . Structurally, the reorganization introduces a brigade-level Multi-Functional Company dedicated to sense-and-strike missions, alongside battalion-level Multi-Purpose Companies and Armored Strike Platoons that fuse ground and aerial unmanned systems for distributed lethality. These additions enhance versatility without overhauling the core battalions, allowing ABCTs to adapt to expanded battlefields with improved . Slight reductions in heavy vehicles (tanks and Bradleys) accommodate these new capabilities. The overall impact positions ABCTs at approximately 4,000 personnel each, incorporating organic drones for , loitering munitions such as drones for precision strikes, and countermeasures against unmanned aerial threats to bolster survivability in contested environments. Implementation commenced with select units designated as Transformation in Contact ABCTs, including the 2nd ABCT, 1st Division with a National Training Center rotation in November 2025, the 2nd ABCT, 3rd Infantry Division at , Georgia, and evaluations in 2026 and 2027.

Armored battalions

In the post-2023 reorganization of the Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT), two tank-heavy combined arms battalions serve as the primary heavy maneuver elements, emphasizing tank-centric operations for decisive armored engagements. Each battalion comprises three tank companies, with each company fielding 14 M1A2 Abrams main battle tanks, supported by a headquarters and headquarters company (HHC) that includes command, control, and maintenance elements. The combined personnel strength of these two battalions totals approximately 800 soldiers, enabling sustained operations in high-intensity environments. The brigade total remains 87 M1 Abrams tanks. The M1A2 Abrams tanks in these battalions are equipped with a 120mm main gun, delivering high-velocity rounds for armor penetration and high-explosive munitions for suppressive direct fires against enemy positions and vehicles. For defense, the tanks incorporate the Trophy Active Protection System (APS), which uses radar-guided interceptors to neutralize incoming anti-tank guided missiles and rocket-propelled grenades in real time. Networking capabilities enable beyond-line-of-sight fires through integration with brigade-level sensors, digital fire control systems, and joint networks, allowing tank crews to cue or aerial strikes on targets beyond visual range. These battalions fulfill critical roles in armored penetration of enemy defenses and delivery of massed direct fires to seize key terrain, operating in close coordination with for effectiveness. Recent upgrades to the M1A2 SEPv3 variant enhance these capabilities with advanced multi-spectral sensors, improved thermal sights, and amplified power systems for future lethality and survivability.

Mechanized infantry battalion

The in post-2023 Armored Brigade Combat Teams (ABCTs) serves as the primary element, consisting of one and (HHC), three companies equipped with Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs), and one . This structure supports operations by providing mobile, protected forces capable of integrating with armored elements. The typically fields approximately 700 personnel, including command, support, and combat roles to enable sustained maneuver in large-scale combat environments. Each company includes a section with two M2A4 Bradley IFVs and three platoons, each comprising four Bradley vehicles organized into two sections for tactical flexibility. The M2A4 Bradley features a 25mm for support, capable of engaging armored and light targets with armor-piercing and high-explosive rounds, alongside a TOW launcher for anti-tank engagements at ranges up to 3,750 meters. These vehicles transport 6-7 dismounted soldiers per IFV, plus a three-person crew (, gunner, ), allowing squads to conduct operations while maintaining vehicle-based and protection. The weapons company provides additional anti-armor, anti-personnel, and capabilities through integrated systems like mortars and heavy machine guns. The battalion's missions emphasize mounted assaults in coordination with armored forces, where Bradleys advance to suppress enemy positions, followed by dismounted for close assault and clearing operations. It is particularly enhanced for urban and scenarios, enabling to clear complex terrain, defeat dismounted threats, and provide security for mechanized advances against peer adversaries. This includes breaching obstacles, securing key routes, and integrating with fires for multi-domain effects. Integration with the ABCT's armored battalions creates anti-tank and infantry synergy, where the mechanized battalion's dismounted elements clear infantry threats and urban pockets that tanks cannot effectively engage, while armored units provide heavy firepower and breakthrough capabilities as a paired force. This combined structure ensures balanced maneuver, with the infantry battalion enabling the brigade's speed and lethality in contested environments.

Cavalry squadron

The cavalry squadron in post-2023 Armored Brigade Combat Teams (ABCTs) serves as the primary and security element, consisting of one squadron organized with three troops, one , a , and a multi-functional company. Each troop is structured to include two scout platoons equipped for forward sensing, one platoon for added lethality, one platoon, a mortar section for indirect fires, and a headquarters section for . The multi-functional company integrates specialized assets to enhance the squadron's versatility, drawing on deactivated elements from prior structures to support brigade-level operations. Overall, the squadron comprises approximately 500 personnel, enabling sustained operations in large-scale combat environments. Equipped primarily with M3A3 Fighting Vehicles (CFVs), a variant of the optimized for , the squadron emphasizes mobility and protection during surveillance missions. These vehicles, combined with Medium Range (MRR) Group 2 unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) featuring designators, facilitate long-range surveillance and from standoff distances. The integration of drones allows scout platoons to conduct persistent observation without exposing personnel to direct threats, supporting the squadron's focus on information dominance. In terms of roles, the cavalry squadron conducts deep to gather on enemy dispositions, , and threats beyond the forward line of own troops, while providing critical targeting data for brigade artillery and mortar systems. It performs tasks such as screening the brigade's flanks and counter- to disrupt enemy efforts. These functions are adapted for contested environments through resilient communications via mesh networks and early warning provided by RAS platoons, ensuring operational continuity amid electronic warfare and jamming. Post-2023 enhancements have introduced sense-and-strike capabilities to the squadron, allowing it to transition rapidly from detection to engagement. This includes the addition of loitering munitions such as the Long-Range Assault with Strike System () and Mobile Multi-role Launcher (MML) systems armed with Hellfire missiles, enabling independent strikes on high-value targets identified during . These upgrades, part of the Army's Transformation in Contact initiative, increase the squadron's lethality and reduce reliance on follow-on forces, enhancing its effectiveness in peer or near-peer conflicts.

Modernization and transformation

2013 reorganization

The 2013 reorganization of Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs) occurred amid the U.S. Army's post-Global War on Terror drawdown, driven by fiscal constraints from the and lessons from over a decade of operations in and . As part of this effort, the Army inactivated 12 active-component BCTs between fiscal years 2013 and 2017, including 10 based in the United States and two infantry BCTs in (the 170th and 172nd Infantry Brigades). This reduction streamlined support elements, such as the inactivation of the 12th Chemical Company in 2013 and several units, including the headquarters of the 95th Military Police Battalion in 2014, to eliminate redundancies and focus resources on core combat functions. Key changes included standardizing headquarters and headquarters companies (HHCs) across BCTs to improve command efficiency and reducing overall active-duty end strength by approximately 10%, from 570,000 soldiers in 2010 to 490,000 by 2015. The reorganization redistributed personnel and equipment from inactivated units to bolster remaining BCTs, increasing their average size to about 4,500 soldiers and adding a third maneuver battalion, brigade engineer battalion, and enhanced fires capabilities to and armored BCTs. This shift emphasized active-duty readiness by optimizing the "tooth-to-tail" ratio, prioritizing deployable combat power over administrative overhead. The reforms impacted all BCT variants uniformly to maintain balanced force structure: the retained 12 armored BCTs (ABCTs) with optimized tank-heavy configurations through the additional maneuver battalions, 14 BCTs (IBCTs) that gained flexibility for attachments and assault options to support light operations, and 7 BCTs equipped with new brigade engineer battalions for mobility. These adjustments affected installations across eight states and , with approximately 17,700 personnel reassigned to enhance and minimize readiness disruptions. Outcomes included significant fiscal savings, such as the cancellation of nearly $400 million in military construction projects, and improved deployability by creating a leaner, more agile force capable of rapid global response. The changes set the foundation for subsequent modernizations by realigning resources toward high-priority capabilities, ensuring the could sustain operational tempo within reduced budgets while preserving strategic flexibility.

2023 armored BCT changes

In response to the 2018 National Defense Strategy's emphasis on great power competition, particularly threats from near-peer adversaries like and , the U.S. Army initiated targeted updates to the Armored Brigade Team (ABCT) in 2024 to bolster capabilities for large-scale operations. These modifications built upon the foundational structure established in the 2013 reorganization by incorporating advanced sensing and striking elements to counter sophisticated enemy surveillance and precision fires. Key specifics of the updates included the standard 2:1 armor-to-infantry ratio within the maneuver element—comprising two armored s and one —while adding multi-purpose companies at the battalion level and multi-functional companies at the brigade level, designed for integrated sense-and-strike operations using unmanned systems, sensors, and precision munitions to detect, disrupt, and destroy high-value targets at extended ranges. These units enhanced the ABCT's ability to operate in contested environments by fusing with immediate kinetic effects. Implementation began with piloting in the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, where experimental formations tested the new companies alongside legacy assets during training rotations at the National Training Center. Long-range fires integration was a core component, incorporating and systems to support the sense-strike cycle and extend the ABCT's engagement envelope beyond traditional line-of-sight limits. The changes yielded enhanced lethality through distributed strike capabilities and reduced vulnerability by improving and counter-reconnaissance, with initial fielding demonstrating improved survivability in simulated peer threats. Full rollout across active ABCTs is ongoing as of 2025, aligning with broader Transformation in Contact initiatives to ensure readiness for multi-domain operations.

ARSTRUC 2025-2029 and mobile BCTs

In February 2024, the U.S. Army announced the Army Structure (ARSTRUC) 2025-2029 initiative as part of the broader Army Transformation Initiative, aimed at enhancing capabilities for multi-domain operations in large-scale environments. This transformation builds on prior reorganizations, such as the 2023 armored BCT changes, by shifting focus toward more agile, expeditionary formations suitable for theaters like the Pacific. A core element of ARSTRUC 2025-2029 involves converting 25 Infantry Brigade Combat Teams (IBCTs) into Mobile Brigade Combat Teams (MBCTs) by 2027, emphasizing speed, mobility, and integration of advanced technologies to enable rapid deployment and maneuver. The MBCT structure centers on three infantry battalions, each augmented with a multi-purpose company for fires, strike, and reconnaissance tasks, alongside organic multi-domain task force elements that incorporate non-kinetic capabilities like cyber and electromagnetic operations. These units prioritize light, versatile vehicles such as Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs) and Infantry Squad Vehicles (ISVs), which support 50-mile dismounted movements and helicopter-air assault operations, while integrating drones for surveillance, targeting, and precision fires to achieve up to 300% greater lethality with 50% fewer artillery rounds. Initial testing of MBCT concepts began in 2025 with units like the Army National Guard's 116th IBCT, which serves as a for evaluating mobility enhancements and multi-domain integration in realistic scenarios. Early adopters, including the 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the , have incorporated nearly 400 drones per brigade to support 90% of fire missions through real-time aerial observation, demonstrating improved accuracy and reduced logistical demands. Broader impacts of ARSTRUC 2025-2029 include enhancements to Armored Brigade Combat Teams (ABCTs) through the addition of multifunctional reconnaissance companies, enabling better deep-area sensing without altering overall ABCT numbers. The initiative achieves a net force reduction by standing down 14 light cavalry squadrons and select and units, yet it increases overall combat capability through focused investments in standoff weapons, range extension, and Pacific-oriented operations to counter peer threats.

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  49. https://www.stripes.com/branches/army/2025-07-23/army-units-europe-middle-east-18529720.html
  50. https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RR800/RR879/RAND_RR879.pdf
  51. https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/AD1020419.pdf
  52. https://breakingdefense.com/2017/03/army-soldiers-slash-time-to-move-from-port-to-front-deterring-russia/
  53. https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2025/10/17/how-the-army-aims-to-transform-its-armor-brigades/
  54. https://www.army.mil/article/287492/driving_change_armor_brigade_combat_team_transformation
  55. https://www.battleorder.org/us-army-tanks-modern
  56. https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Journals/Military-Review/English-Edition-Archives/November-December-2023/Task-Organizing/
  57. https://www.army-technology.com/projects/abrams-m1a2-sepv3-main-battle-tank/
  58. https://rdl.train.army.mil/catalog-ws/view/100.ATSC/EF9DA569-8865-4E94-B15A-94913B080DCD-1729619785668/ATP3_21x71.pdf
  59. https://www.dvidshub.net/news/403851/infantry-abct-capt-tobias-cukale
  60. https://www.army.mil/article/287756/unleashing_the_leviathan_transforming_the_abct_to_win_in_lsco
  61. https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2025/04/28/this-army-division-will-change-how-armor-brigades-and-divisions-fight/
  62. https://www.army.mil/article/106893/reorganization_hits_brigade_combat_teams
  63. https://www.everycrsreport.com/files/20140228_R42493_1498b2a09f417c642d77f33fb80e6ece5bdd7b34.html
  64. https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-14-76.pdf
  65. https://www.army.mil/article/288480/army_armored_brigade_combat_team_builds_transformation_from_solid_foundation
  66. https://www.benning.army.mil/armor/eARMOR/content/issues/2024/Winter%20Spring/14%20Hatch.pdf
  67. https://va.ng.mil/Army-Guard/116th-MBCT/
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