This monograph analyzes proposed M1A2 tank battalion organizational alternatives presently under consideration by the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command. The U.S. Army has undergone numerous armor reorganizations since the invention of the tank in World War I. Throughout this eighty year period, tank battalion organization has remained relatively stable: 4 or 5 tanks per platoon; 3 or 4 platoons per company; and 3 or 4 companies per battalion. There was good reason behind such stability. Though the tank became more lethal and survivable over time, communications technology stagnated. Additionally, the Cold War prognosticators foresaw a need for large tank battalions closely aligned with their World War II heritage. Thus, the army relied upon historically proven small unit organizations to derive next generation organizations. Reliance on historical precedence may not be possible for the Force XXI army for two reasons. First, informational technology will finally come on par with tank lethality and survivability. Armor commanders, through the Intervehicular Information System, will have immediate access to critical information requirements. This technology may render historical span of control theories archaic. Second, the strategic landscape has drastically changed. The army no longer focuses its attention on large scale conventional war in Central Europe. Rather, the army is now prepared to project forces anywhere in the world on short notice. The next conflict will most likely be fought on short notice against an unforeseen adversary. Adaptability, tailorability, and deployability have replaced lethalilty, survivability, and robustness as critical armor organization requirements. The lack of historical precedence due to changes in both informational technology and the National Military Strategy requires force designers to interject innovative ideas into the Force XXI process. This is no easy task. The military, as an institution, is comfortable with the combat- proven status quo solution. However, the army must embrace innovative ideas to uncover the full potential of Force XXI. Cold War solutions to Force XXI issues will result in a 21st century army prepared to fight a 20th century war. This monograph is divided into eight sections. Section one, the introduction, establishes the research question and the significance of the issue to the army. Section two is a historical summary of past U.S. Army armor reorganizational initiatives. Section three describes the characteristics that make MIA2 tank a significant improvement over its predecessor. Section four discusses two factors -span of control and the anticipated role of armor in the future -the call for the consideration of innovative ideas. Section five describes the U.S. Army Armor Center's methodology for deriving MIA2 tank battalion alternatives. Section six outlines the challenge of military innovation in peacetime. Section seven analyzes the Armor School alternatives in light of the factors discussed earlier. Section eight provides innovative recommendations concerning MIA2 tank battalion organization for consideration. The monograph concludes that innovation is the key to a successful journey toward Force XXI. Reliance on past practices is a viable alternative under certain conditions. Such conditions may not exist given changes in technology and the future application of armor.

ADA 309952 Approved for public release; Distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)