HAMMER: Korea was the first war where the US Army rotated Soldiers in and out of theatre in significant numbers, a practice that has continued ever since. In doing practical and instructional knowledge is lost and lessons have to be re-learned, sometimes at great cost. How would you change the manner in which we now rotate Soldiers into different conflicts across the globe? Are the benefits worth the cost, when our enemies remain in place and continue to learn? What are the pros and cons of each system?

I believe that the current rotational force that the Army, especially ABCTs currently, is employing is ineffective and costly not only in terms of finances but also unit morale and efficiency. I believe that rather than rotating ABCTs to Korea, Europe, Kuwait we should very seriously consider permanently stationing these combat units if they necessary in these areas of the world. I believe this due to several reasons. The first is that I don’t believe that it promotes readiness as stated in the question our enemies continue to prepare in these parts of the world on their “home turf” while rotational units are constantly conducting reliefs in place in order to prepare for the current threat in that part of the globe. I believe that it would not only better prepare our combat arms forces who can maintain equipment and threat-relevant training more efficiently, but also it allows for more continuous intelligence updates and focus. Permanent party Soldiers are more focused on the threat that they know is present and next-door constantly than rotational units who are constantly shifting their focus from Korea to Europe for example. These units are better able to develop SOPs and are constantly revising these SOPS in order to best prepare for a better understood threat without wasting time conducting regular RIPs and right seat/left seats.

Additionally, in terms of unit morale I believe that permanently stationed units will always have an increased happiness and sense of duty than rotational units. With the current Army rotational system Soldiers are displaced from their family and friends 9 months every other year rather than being able to bring their spouse and children that they already have limited time with at home station.