Boots in the Air

The perennial role of the Army in the armed forces has been to bring dominant combat power to bear in the form of firepower from heavy divisions. In post-Cold War engagements, the variable nature and increased frequency of conflicts warrant a review of how the Army is to perform its traditional role. Indeed, rapid arrival of a new type of combat power to a conflict may prove more necessary than traditional heavy forces. Army Chief of Staff General Eric Shinseki`s "vision statement" of 26 October 1999 addressed this idea and introduced a future Army of lighter, leaner forces. Currently, experimental units known as Interim Brigade Combat Teams are moving toward operational readiness, with the objective being the capability to deploy anywhere in the world in 96 hours.