RECRUIT SUSTAINMENT PROGRAM SOLDIER TRAINING READINESS MODULES Army Structure/Chain of Command 19 January 2012 SECTION I. Lesson Plan Series Task(s) Taught Academic Hours References Student Study Assignments Instructor Requirements Equipment Required Materials Required ADMINISTRATIVE DATA Army Structure/Chain of Command Task Number INDIVIDUAL The academic hours required to teach this lesson are as follows: Test Test Review Total Hours: Resident Hours/Methods 0 hrs 50 mins / Conference / Discussion 0 hrs 00 mins / Practical Exercise (Performance) 0 hrs 0 hrs 0 hrs 50 mins Number Title Date DA PAM 10-1 TRADOC Pam 600-4 None Organization of the United States Army The Soldier s Blue Book a. 1 Instructor per 35 Soldiers 14 June 1994 09 Jun 2010 b. Be familiar with this Training Support Package (TSP) Id Name 5836013927680/96454N LCD DATA PROJECTOR 6730-00-577-4813 Screen, Projection, BM-10A, Stand 702102982124/70209N Computer, Personal System Instructor Materials: a. This Training Support Package (TSP) Stu Ratio Additional Information Inst Ratio Spt Qty Exp 1:1 No 0 No 1:1 No 0 No 1:1 No 0 No Student Materials: a. TRADOC Pam 600-4, The Soldier s Blue Book Classroom, Training Area, and Range b. Other materials as directed by RSP Unit SOP Organizational Classroom 1
Requirements 2
Instructional Guidance Before presenting this lesson, instructors must thoroughly prepare by studying this lesson and the identified reference material. 3
SECTION II. INTRODUCTION SHOW Slide 1 (STRM) Method of Instruction: Conference / Discussion Instructor to Student Ratio is: 1:35 Time of Instruction: 5 mins Media: Slide Presentation Motivator Terminal Learning Objective Safety Requirements Risk Assessment Level Evaluation Instructional Lead-In The Chain of command is a crucial element in the success of the U.S. Army National Guard. From the highest General, to the lowest Private, knowing how this system works will benefit the Army and your career. SHOW Slide 2 (Terminal Learning Objective) Inform the students of the following Terminal Learning Objective requirements. At the completion of this lesson, you [the student] will: Action: Conditions: Standards: Discuss Army Structure and Chain of Command Given a classroom environment and Soldier s Blue Book and B2X Identify the structure of the U.S. Army, including rank positions Conduct a safety brief prior to training as needed and IAW unit and installation policies. Low - Risk Assessment to be produced locally IAW FM 5-19, August 2006. None It is important to learn the ranks of enlisted and officers, however, knowing how each rank ties into each other will help you understand the Army Structure. Memorizing the Chain of Command will beneficial in understanding how all of the organizations work together in the Army. 4
SECTION III. PRESENTATION 1. Learning Step / Activity 1. Army Structure/Chain of Command Method of Instruction: Conference / Discussion Instructor to Student Ratio: 1:35 Time of Instruction: 40 mins Media: Slide Presentation SHOW Slide 3 (8 Major Levels) The following points are for the instructors use. It will prove more effective if the instructor uses their own language and style to explain the information below. a. Operational diagram. The operational unit diagram provides information on how Army operational units are organized - from the Theater Army, Field Army and Army Group level, down through Corps, Divisions, Brigades, Battalions, Companies, Platoons and ending with Squads and Sections; and the typical rank of the Commander of these type units. Emphasize heavily the first three are the main part of the Chain of Command that they will see in their career; from squad to company. b. Squad/Section: (1) Eight to 16 Soldiers. (2) Typically led by a Sergeant (E-5) or Staff Sergeant (E-6). (3) The squad is the smallest element in the Army organizational structure. (4) Its size is dependent on its function. In some units, two squads may compose a section led by a Staff Sergeant. In a light infantry (non-mechanized) squad, there are normally nine Soldiers and a squad leader. (5) In a mechanized infantry squad, there are up to 16 Soldiers organized into two teams. Each team is assigned to a tactical vehicle (e.g., Bradley Fighting Vehicle). (6) In an armor (Tank/Cavalry) unit the term Section is used in lieu of squad. A section consists of two vehicles (e.g., M1A2 Abrams). Each tank has a crew consisting of four personnel. c. Platoon: (1) 16 to 44 Soldiers. (2) Typically led by a Lieutenant O-1/O-2 who is assisted by a Platoon Sergeant who is a Sergeant First Class (E-7). (3) A platoon consists of two to four squads/sections depending on the type of unit. For example, an infantry platoon consists of three squads. (4) The platoon is the basic combat unit capable of maneuvering in the conduct of combat operations. (5) A mechanized infantry platoon consists of four fighting vehicles (M2A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle) divided into two sections. Each vehicle holds 8-9 Soldiers. 5
(6) A tank platoon consists of four tanks organized into two sections of two tanks each. (7) Headquarters Platoon Generally consists of all support elements for a company. (e.g. supply, mechanics, and administration.) d. Company/Troop/Battery: (1) 60 to 200 Soldiers. (2) The company is normally commanded by a Captain (O-3). A First Sergeant (E-8) is the commander s principal enlisted advisor. (3) An artillery unit of equivalent size is called a battery. (4) A comparable armored or air cavalry unit is called a troop. (5) The company is a cohesive tactical sized unit that can perform a battlefield function on its own. It is capable of receiving and controlling additional combat, combat support, or combat service support elements to enhance its mission capability. (6) The company has a small headquarters element to assist the Commander. (7) Typically, three to five platoons form a company. e. Battalion: (1) 300 to 1,000 Soldiers. (2) The battalion is typically composed of four to six companies. (3) Commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel (O-5) with a Command Sergeant Major (E-9) as the principal enlisted advisor. (4) The battalion is a unit that is both tactically and administratively self-sufficient. In war-fighting, battalions are capable of independent operations of limited duration and scope. (5) An armored or air cavalry unit of equivalent size is referred to as a squadron. (6) The Commander has a battalion staff of officers and NCOs to oversee missions, training, administration, and logistics. (7) A battalion task-force is a battalion-sized unit with additional companies attached in direct support to enhance mission capability. f. Brigade/Group/Regiment: (1) 3,000 5,000 Soldiers. (2) A brigade HQ commands the tactical operations of two to five organic or attached battalions. 6
(3) The brigade is normally commanded by a Colonel (O-6) although in some cases a Brigadier General (O-7) may assume command. The Command Sergeant Major (E-9) is the principal enlisted advisor. (4) A brigade is a significantly large unit that can be employed on independent or semi-independent operations. During combat operations, infantry, armor and cavalry brigades normally have a field artillery battalion, engineer battalion, and combat service support battalion in direct support. (5) Brigades also exist in combat service and combat service support branches (e.g., Engineer Brigade, Signal Brigade). (6) Armored cavalry units of this size are referred to as regiments (e.g., 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment). (7) Ranger and Special Forces units of this size are referred to as groups. g. Division: (1) 10,000 to 15,000 Soldiers. (2) Divisions are comprised of three tactical maneuver (Infantry and/or Armor) brigades and a division base of combat support and combat service support elements. (3) The division is commanded by a Major General (O-8) who is assisted by two principal Brigadier Generals (O-7) who perform duties as Assistant Division Commanders one for Maneuver and one for Support. The Command Sergeant Major (E-9) is the principal enlisted advisor. (4) The Division performs major tactical operations for the corps. (5) Can conduct sustained battles and engagements. (6) Divisions are numbered (e.g., 1st Armored Division, 82nd Airborne Division) and are categorized by one of five types: Light Infantry, Mechanized Infantry, Armor, Airborne, or Air Assault. (7) There are currently ten divisions in the Active Army and eight divisions in the Reserves/National Guard. In October 1999, The Army established two Integrated divisions (the 7th Infantry Division and 24th Infantry Division) consisting of an Active Component headquarters commanded by an Active Component Major General (O-8), and three Army National Guard Enhanced Separate Brigades. SHOW Slide 4 (Army National Guard Divisions) h. Army National Guard Divisions locations: The Army National Guard is composed of 8 Divisions. Each Division is located in the United States: It will not be necessary to read the slide, however to bring the ARNG Divisions closer to home, you may ask for a show of hands from those that visited or lived in that state, or perhaps a show of hands as to how many have visited the Division Headquarters to improve student participation in class. (1) 28th Infantry Division, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. 7
(2) 29th Infantry Division, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. (3) 34th Infantry Division, Saint Paul, Minnesota. (4) 35th Infantry Division, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. (5) 49th Armored Division, Austin, Texas. (6) 38th Infantry Division, Indianapolis, Indiana. (7) 40th Infantry Division, Los Alamitos, California. (8) 42nd Infantry Division, Troy, New York. SHOW Slide 5 (Corps) It is suggested that you show the students the comparison in terms of size of the different organizational level (squad to division) i. Corps: (1) 20,000 to 40,000 Soldiers. (2) The corps is commanded by a Lieutenant General (O-9) who is assisted by a Command Sergeant Major (E-9) and an extensive corps staff. (3) The corps is the deployable level of command required to synchronize and sustain combat operations. It also provides the framework for multinational operations. (4) The corps provides command, control, and logistical support of two to five divisions. (5) There are currently four corps in the Active Army. SHOW Slide 6 (Army) j. Army: (1) An Army is normally commanded by a Lieutenant General (O-9) or full General (O-10) and assisted by a Command Sergeant Major (E-9) and a large staff. (2) All other organizations larger than a corps are generically termed Army. An Army has three levels, all dependent upon the size and scope of the conflict. These levels are a Theater Army, a Field Army, and an Army Group. (3) There are currently three standing Armies the First, Third and Fifth U.S. Army. A Theater Army is the ranking Army component in a unified command, and it has operational and support responsibilities that are assigned by the theater commander. (4) The theater commander and Theater Army Commander may order formation of a Field Army to direct operations of assigned Corps and Divisions. An Army Group composed of two or more Field Armies under a designated commander is the largest tactical formation used in combat operations. 8
SHOW Slide 7 (Army National Guard Mission) k. Army National Guard Mission: The Army National Guard has a dual mission that includes federal and state roles. (1) In its federal role, the National Guard provides trained units able to mobilize quickly for war, national emergencies, and other missions. (2) In its state role, it prepares for domestic emergencies and other missions as required by state law. National Guard Soldiers serve as the first military responders within states during emergencies. National Guard units are commanded by their state executive (usually the governor) unless they are mobilized for a federal mission. Check on Learning QUESTION: What are the 8 major levels of command in the Army? ANSWER: (1) Squad/Section. (2) Platoon. (3) Company/Troop/Battery. (4) Battalion. (5) Brigade/Group/Regiment. (6) Division. (8) Corps. (9) Army. QUESTION: How many Soldiers normally make up a Squad or Section? ANSWER: Eight to 16 Soldiers. QUESTION: How many Squads or Sections make up a Platoon? ANSWER: Two to four Squads or Sections. QUESTION: An Armored or Air Cavalry unit equal in size to a Company is called what? ANSWER: Troop. QUESTION: How many Companies normally make up a Battalion? ANSWER: Four to six. QUESTION: A Battalion is commanded by what level of officer? ANSWER: Lieutenant Colonel. QUESTION: What level of organization commands the tactical operations of two to five attached Battalions? ANSWER: Brigade/Group/Regiment. QUESTION: Three Brigade-sized elements make up what? ANSWER: A Division. QUESTION: How many Army National Guard Divisions are there? ANSWER: 8. QUESTION: The Army National Guard Mission has two roles, what are they? ANSWER: Federal and State. 9
SHOW Slide 8 (Terminal Learning Objective) TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE ACTION: Discuss Army Structure and Chain of Command CONDITIONS: STANDARDS: Given a classroom environment and Soldier s Blue Book and B2X Identify the structure of the U.S. Army, including rank positions 10
SECTION IV. ASK FOR QUESTIONS AND SUMMARY Method of Instruction: Discussion Instructor to Student Ratio: 1:35 Time of Instruction: 5 mins Media: None a. Ask students if they have any questions. b. Answer all questions or agree to get back to students with a complete or appropriate answer. SUMMARY As you gain confidence in your knowledge of military structure, continue your military education, and maintain contact with your peers, you will earn a leadership role. Each level has its own responsibilities and leadership challenges. It is up to you to enhance those roles and define your position with the leadership arena. Depending on your individual goals, you may very well see duty in a battalion, brigade, and even division element. 11
SECTION V. Testing Requirements Feedback Requirements STUDENT EVALUATION (OPTIONAL) None None 12
Appendix A - Viewgraph Masters VIEWGRAPHS STRM Slide #1 Terminal Learning Objective Slide #2 8 Major Levels Slide #3 Army National Guard Divisions Slide #4 Corps Slide #5 Army Slide #6 Army National Guard Mission Slide #7 Terminal Learning Objective Slide #8 A-1
Appendix B - Test(s) and Test Solution(s) (N/A) B-1
Appendix C - Practical Exercises and Solutions Built into Lesson Plan C-1
Appendix D - Student Handouts (N/A) D-1