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Force Structure: Preliminary Observations on Army Plans to Implement and Fund Modular Forces

GAO-05-443T Published: Mar 16, 2005. Publicly Released: Mar 16, 2005.
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Highlights

Modularity is a major restructuring of the entire Army, involving the creation of brigade combat teams that will have a common design and will increase the pool of available units for deployment. The Army is undertaking this initiative at the same time it is supporting the Global War on Terrorism, and developing transformational capabilities such as the Army Future Combat Systems. To achieve modularity, the Army currently estimates it will need $48 billion. The Department of Defense's (DOD) request for fiscal year 2005 supplemental funds includes $5 billion for modularity. The Army plans for another $5 billion to be funded from fiscal year 2006 supplemental funds and the remaining $38 billion from DOD's annual appropriation from fiscal years 2006 through 2011. Our testimony addresses: (1) the Army's goals and plans for modularity, (2) challenges the Army faces in staffing and equipping its modular combat brigades, (3) key decisions that could affect requirements, and (4) the Army's cost estimates and funding plans. This testimony is based on ongoing GAO work examining Army modularity plans and costs. Our work has been primarily focused on the Army's active forces.

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Armed forces reservesArmy modularityArmy personnelForce structureCombat readinessDefense capabilitiesDefense contingency planningFederal fundsFuture budget projectionsMilitary intelligenceMilitary trainingStrategic planning