Assessing Full Spectrum Bct Engineer Capability

The full spectrum doctrine of the U.S. Army places additional emphasis on engineer units to support offensive, defensive, stability, and civil support operations, yet organic engineer capability was reduced in the BCTs. This thesis attempts to determine if BCTs have sufficient organic engineer capability to conduct full spectrum operations. The author researched the doctrine, missions, and authorization documents of the BCTs to observe that they have similar mission statements and CMETLs, but remarkably different organic engineer capability. Commander accounts presented high probability engineer tasks and revealed gaps when compared to authorized engineer personnel and equipment. The author assessed the SBCT engineer company as the most capable, but identified critical gaps in the HBCT and IBCT engineer capability. The analysis indicated the addition of special engineer equipment, primarily assault bridging and breaching equipment, was essential to the IBCT and HBCT in order to accomplish the assured mobility tasks. The author also recommends a third combat engineer platoon for the IBCT to match the structures of the HBCT and SBCT engineer companies.