Author Description

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.