RAF and JTF Capable HQs

Abstract : Regionally Aligned Forces are the ways that the Army will accomplish its ends or vision of being globally responsive and regionally engaged with reduced means in forces, headquarters, and budgets. For the last decade the U.S. Army focused on Operations Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Central Command (CENTCOM) was the United States main effort while other combatant commands were economies of force in respect to force allocation. 2 With the end of OEF and OIF, the U.S. Army has an opportunity to shape itself for the future challenges of reduction in force levels, fiscal resource constraints, global threats, and withdrawal of forward-deployed U.S. forces. Senior leaders in the Army seized that opportunity in 2010 by introducing the concept of Regionally Aligned Forces (RAF).3 Initially applied to brigade combat teams (BCTs), the RAF concept expanded to corps and division headquarters in 2012.4 Achieving the Army Vision through the RAF concept requires stronger commitment in habitual alignment of headquarters, units, and individuals, and holistic commitment by the joint community and the Army in enabling corps and divisions to be joint task force capable headquarters.5 Regionally aligned corps and division headquarters provide the mission command and operational linkage between the geographic combatant commanders (GCC) and tactical forces. This paper establishes the historical context of how America has postured forces, and then explains the interconnection between the Joint Vision 2020, the Army Vision, and RAF concept to ensure effective forces for the future. Next, the paper examines the impact of RAF and the importance of the corps and division headquarters as JTFs in certification, augmentation, alignment, and employment. Finally, the paper discusses the issues and opportunities of the RAF concept across current doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership, personnel, and facility (DOTMLPF) systems.