View source for Brigade combat team

{{Short description|Basic deployable unit of maneuver in the U.S. Army}}
{{distinguish|Regimental combat team|Combat team}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}

[[Image:Brigade Combat Team cropped.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Over 4,000 members of the 1st BCT, [[34th Infantry Division (United States)|34th Infantry Division]], in a special formation for a farewell ceremony.]]
{{Army units}}

The '''brigade combat team''' ('''BCT''') is the basic [[Military deployment|deployable]] [[Military unit|unit]] of maneuver in the [[United States Army|U.S. Army]]. A brigade combat team consists of one [[combat arms]] branch maneuver [[Brigade (United States Army)|brigade]], and its assigned support and fire units. A brigade is normally commanded by a [[colonel]] ([[United States Army officer rank insignia#O-6|O-6]]) although in some cases a [[brigadier general]] (O-7) may assume command.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |url=https://www.army.mil/info/organization/unitsandcommands/oud/ |title=Archived Document |access-date=2016-10-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012152355/https://www.army.mil/info/organization/unitsandcommands/oud/ |archive-date=12 October 2016}} ''Organization: Operational Unit Diagrams:Brigade''. Accessed 22 October 2016.</ref> A brigade combat team contains [[combat support]] and [[combat service support (United States)|combat service support]] units necessary to sustain its [[Military operation|operations]]. BCTs contain organic [[artillery]] training and support, received from the parent [[Division (military)|division]] artillery (DIVARTY).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sill-www.army.mil/USAFAS/DIVARTY.html|title=DIVARTY - Division Artillery|access-date=19 October 2016|archive-date=3 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803031034/http://sill-www.army.mil/USAFAS/DIVARTY.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name= 4-27-fa>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20190812024100/http://fortblissbugle.com/2019/05/15/agile-and-lethal-4-27-field-artillery-conducts-table-xviii-gunnery-training-may-7/ Spc. Matthew Marcellus, 1st Armored Division (MAY 15, 2019) Agile and lethal: 4-27 Field Artillery conducts Table XVIII gunnery training May 7]}} accessdate=2019-08-11</ref> There are three types of brigade combat teams: infantry, Stryker, and armored.

Currently, the U.S. Army is structured around the brigade combat team.<ref name="Global2">{{cite web |url=http://armyapp.forces.gc.ca/SOH/SOH_Content/SOH.ORG.US.00.00.00.00.SE.pdf |title=MCOE Supplemental Manual 3-90 (2015) |publisher=U.S. Army |date=January 2015 |access-date=2 September 2017|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902185627/http://armyapp.forces.gc.ca/SOH/SOH_Content/SOH.ORG.US.00.00.00.00.SE.pdf |archive-date=2 September 2017 }}</ref> In this program, divisions that previously had not deployed individual brigades due to a lack of integral support have now been restructured. The [[U.S. 1st Armored Division|1st Armored Division]], [[25th Infantry Division (United States)|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,<ref>{{cite book|url=https://armypubs.army.mil/doctrine/DR_pubs/dr_a/pdf/fm3_90x6.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217175931/http://armypubs.army.mil/doctrine/DR_pubs/dr_a/pdf/fm3_90x6.pdf|archive-date=2013-02-17|title=FM 3-90.6 : Brigade Combat Team|publisher=Department of the Army|date=September 2010|at=Preface ("they can operate as part of a division or independently"), § 1-1 ("[BCTs are] the smallest combined arms units that can be committed independently")}}</ref> 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==
[[File:IBCT.png|thumb|Infantry brigade combat team table of organization]]
The infantry brigade combat team, as of 2014, contains 4,413 soldiers and is organized around three [[battalion]]s of infantry. Each type of brigade ([[infantry]] or [[Airborne forces|airborne infantry]]) has the same basic organization. Each infantry brigade is equipped and capable of [[air assault]] operations. Also, most units typically maneuver in [[Humvee|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 [[Reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition (United States)#IBCT Squadron|cavalry (reconnaissance) battalion]], one [[brigade support battalion]], one engineer battalion and one field artillery (fires) battalion, totaling seven battalions.<ref name=Global2 />

===Infantry battalion (×3)===
Note: [[Contiguous United States#CONUS and OCONUS|OCONUS]] (Hawaii, Alaska and Italy) based BCTs only have two infantry battalions
* Headquarters and headquarters company
* [[Rifle company]] (×3)
* [[Weapons company]]

===Cavalry squadron===
* Headquarters and headquarters troop
* [[Armoured cavalry|Mounted cavalry]] troop (×2)
* Dismounted cavalry troop

=== Field artillery (fires) battalion ===
* Headquarters and headquarters battery
**[[Target acquisition]] platoon
* [[M119 howitzer|M119]] 105&nbsp;mm towed howitzer battery (×2)
* [[M777 howitzer|M777A2]] 155&nbsp;mm towed howitzer battery

===Brigade engineer battalion===
* Headquarters and headquarters company
* [[Combat engineer]] company (×2)
* [[Military signals|Signal network]] support company
* [[Military intelligence]] company

===Brigade support battalion===
* Headquarters and headquarters company
* Distribution company
* Field maintenance company
* Medical company
** Headquarters platoon
** Treatment platoon
** [[Medical evacuation]] platoon
* Forward support company ([[reconnaissance]])
* Forward support company ([[Combat Engineer|engineer]])
* Forward support company ([[infantry]]) (×3)
* Forward support company ([[Field Artillery]])

==Stryker brigade combat team==
[[File:SBCT.png|thumb|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 [[Theater (warfare)|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]]).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bioprepwatch.com/threats/army-unit-trains-to-handle-cbrne-threats/335935/ |title=Army unit trains to handle CBRNE threats |publisher=BioPrepWatch |date=12 February 2014 |access-date=20 April 2014 |author=Limardo, Jessica |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140213185648/http://bioprepwatch.com/threats/army-unit-trains-to-handle-cbrne-threats/335935/ |archive-date=13 February 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Each Stryker brigade combat team consists of three infantry battalions, [[Reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition (United States)#SBCT Squadron|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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stripes.com/news/us/stryker-crews-find-ways-to-defeat-armored-enemy-1.268179 |title=Stryker crews find ways to defeat armored enemy |work=Stars and Stripes |date=17 February 2014 |access-date=20 April 2014 |author=Ashton, Adam |archive-date=22 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222035641/http://www.stripes.com/news/us/stryker-crews-find-ways-to-defeat-armored-enemy-1.268179 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/3-21-31/c01.htm|title=FM 3-21.31 Chapter 1 Overview of the Stryker Brigade Combat Team|first=John|last=Pike|website=www.globalsecurity.org}}</ref>

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 [[M1128 mobile gun system|mobile gun systems]] from the infantry battalions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fortcarsonmountaineer.com/2015/07/2-1-cav-stands-up-new-weapons-troop/ |title=2-1 Cav. stands up new weapons troop |work=Fort Carson Mountaineer |date=1 July 2015 |access-date=6 January 2017 |author=Dompierre, Mike (1st Lt)}}</ref> 

===Infantry battalion (×3)===
* Headquarters and headquarters company
* [[Infantry company]] ([[Stryker]]) (×3)

===Cavalry squadron===
* Headquarters and headquarters troop
* Cavalry troop (Stryker) (×3)
* Weapons troop (9 × [[ATGM]])

=== Field artillery (fires) battalion ===
[[Image:MobileGS.jpg|thumb|right|Mobile Gun System]]
* Headquarters and headquarters battery
**[[Target acquisition]] platoon
* [[M777 howitzer|M777A2]] 155&nbsp;mm towed howitzer battery (×3)

===Brigade support battalion===
* 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===
* Headquarters and headquarters company
* [[Combat engineer]] company
* Engineer support company
* [[Signaller|Signal company]]
* [[Military intelligence]] company

===Stryker vehicles===
* [[M1126 infantry carrier vehicle]]
* [[M1127 reconnaissance vehicle]]
* [[M1128 mobile gun system]] armed with 105&nbsp;mm overhead gun for direct fire
* [[M1129 mortar carrier]] armed with a mounted [[soltam|120 mm]] and a dismountable 81 or 60&nbsp;mm [[Mortar (weapon)|mortar]]
* [[M1130 command vehicle]]
* [[M1131 fire support vehicle]] (FSV) with targeting and surveillance sensors
* [[M1132 engineer support vehicle]] (ESV)
* [[M1133 medical evacuation vehicle]] (MEV)
* [[M1134 anti-tank guided missile vehicle]] (ATGM) armed with a twin [[BGM-71 TOW|TOW]] missile launcher 
* [[M1135 nuclear, biological, chemical, reconnaissance vehicle]] (NBC RV)
{{anchor|ABCT}}

==Armored brigade combat team==
[[File:ABCT.png|thumb|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 [[HMMWV]]s and [[variants of the M113 armored personnel carrier#United States|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, [[Reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition (United States)#ABCT Squadron|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.<ref name=Global2 />

An ABCT includes 87 Abrams, 152 Bradley IFVs, 18 [[M109]] self-propelled howitizers and 45 armed M113 vehicles.<ref>[https://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/114th-congress-2015-2016/reports/51535-fsprimer.pdf The U.S. Military's Force Structure: A Primer], Congressional Budget Office, July 2016.</ref> The operational cost for these combat systems is $66,735 per mile. The range of the Abrams limits the brigade to 330&nbsp;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) [[Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck#HEMTT models|M978]] tankers.<ref>[http://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/abrams-dieselization-project-doing-the-math/ Abrams Dieselization Project: Doing the Math] - Defensemedianetwork.com, 7 November 2013</ref>

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.<ref name="Triangle">{{cite web |url=https://www.army.mil/article/162519/Cavalry_Brigade_Combat_Team_assumes_new_design__transition_nearly_complete |title=Cavalry Brigade Combat Team assumes new design, transition nearly complete |publisher=U.S. Army |date=17 February 2016 |access-date=8 January 2017}}</ref> 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).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Impact of Large-Scale Combat Operations (LSCO) on Operations |url=https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Special-Topics/Hot-Topics/LSCO/ |access-date=2023-04-09 |website=Army University Press |language=en-US}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Waypoint 2028 becomes Army 2030 {{!}} InsideDefense.com |url=https://insidedefense.com/daily-news/waypoint-2028-becomes-army-2030 |access-date=2023-04-09 |website=insidedefense.com}}</ref> In April 2023 the Army would release its newly formed divisional templates and BCT organizations.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Hadley |first=Kevin |last2=Spencer |first2=Savannah |last3=Martens |first3=Justin |date=2 February 2023 |title=How the Army 2030 Divisions Fight |journal=U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command}}</ref>

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===

====Armored Battalion (×2)====
* Headquarters and Headquarters Company
* [[Tank]] Company (×2)
* [[Mechanized Infantry]] Company

====Mechanized Infantry Battalion (×1)====
* Headquarters and Headquarters Company
* [[Tank]] Company
* [[Mechanized Infantry]] Company (×2)

====Cavalry Troop====
* Headquarters and headquarters troop
* [[Reconnaissance|Scout]] Platoons (x2)
* Tank Platoon (×2)
* Robot Combat Vehicles Platoon 
* [[CBRN defense|CBRN]] Reconnaissance Platoon 
* Mortar Section 
* SUAS Section
'''Brigade Signals Company'''

====Brigade Support Battalion====
* Headquarters and Headquarters Company
* Distribution Company
* Field Maintenance Company
* [[Combat medic|Medical Company]]
** Headquarters Platoon
** Treatment Platoon
** [[Medical Evacuation]] Platoon
* Forward Support Company ([[Armoured cavalry|Cavalry]])
* Forward Support Company ([[Combined Arms]]) (×3)

==Modernization==
{{main|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===
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)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.army.mil/article/106373/Brigade_combat_teams_cut_at_10_posts_will_help_other_BCTs_grow/|title=Brigade combat teams cut at 10 posts will help other BCTs grow|website=army.mil}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.carson.army.mil/units/4id/units/1bct/index.html |title=Archived Document |access-date=26 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120608231524/http://www.carson.army.mil/units/4id/units/1bct/index.html |archive-date=8 June 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/2015/07/01/2nd-infantry-division-anniversary-korea-brigade-inactivation/29562787/|title=1st BCT inactivates as 2nd ID marks 50 years in Korea|first=Michelle|last=Tan|date=7 August 2017|website=armytimes.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stripes.com/news/2nd-id-unit-in-korea-to-deactivate-be-replaced-by-rotational-force-1.312557|title=2nd ID unit in Korea to deactivate, be replaced by rotational force|website=stripes.com}}</ref>
* 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ktuu.com/content/news/BREAKING-Army-intends-to-retain-entire-4-25-brigade-418657423.html|date=7 April 2017|access-date=13 July 2017|title=Army intends to retain entire 4-25 brigade, deploy troops overseas|first1=Leroy|last1=Polk|first2=Dan|last2=Carpenter|website=[[KTUU-TV|ktuu.com]]}}</ref>

As of September 2018, the active duty component of United States Army consists of 31 brigade combat teams:<ref name=Army2018/>
* 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.<ref>[https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/2BCT-4ID (06.15.2020) 2nd Brigade Combat Team Conversion Ceremony]</ref><ref name="Army2018">{{cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/211368/army_announces_conversion_of_two_brigade_combat_teams|title=Army announces conversion of two brigade combat teams|website=army.mil|publisher=U.S. Army|date=20 September 2018|access-date=1 December 2018|author=<!--U.S. Army Public Affairs-->}}</ref> 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 IBCT's and 6 SBCT's.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2022/06/06/new-alaska-light-infantry-brigade-will-replace-armys-scrapped-strykers.html | title=New Alaska Light Infantry Brigade Will Replace Army's Scrapped Strykers | date=6 June 2022 }}</ref>

[[Army National Guard of the United States|Army National Guard]] brigade combat teams have the same [[Table of organization and equipment|TOE]] as active duty component BCTs. As of September 2018, the Army National Guard consists of 27 BCTs:<ref name=Army2018/>
* 20 infantry brigade combat teams
* 5 armored brigade combat teams
* 2 Stryker brigade combat teams

=== ARSTRUC 2025-2029 ===
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 [[Reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition|RSTA]] Cavalry squadrons for CONUS-based Infantry BCT's and Stryker BCT's. IBCT's and SBCT's 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.<ref name=":0" /> Artillery battalions were removed from BCT command and returned to the control of DIVARTY.

==See also==
* [[Reorganization plan of the United States Army]]
* [[Regimental combat team#U.S. Marine Corps|Regimental combat team]]
* USMC [[Marine Air-Ground Task Force]], for comparison

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Additional reading==
* [https://www.scribd.com/doc/130237041/FM-3-20-96 FM 3–20.96 Reconnaissance and Cavalry Squadron]
* [https://www.fas.org/irp/doddir/army/fm3-21-20.pdf FM 3–21.20 The Infantry Battalion]
* [https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN31505-FM_3-96-000-WEB-1.pdf FM 3–96 Brigade Combat Team]
* [https://www.scribd.com/doc/64415419/FMI-3-90-61-Brigade-Troops-Battalion-Operations-Mar-2005 FM 3–90.61 The Brigade Special Troops Battalion]

[[Category:Brigade combat teams of the United States Army|Brigade combat teams of the United States Army|000]]
[[Category:Tables of Organisation and Equipment]]