Division

Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces Command

For Immediate Release 12 October 1998

The Active Component/Army National Guard Integrated Division MOA Signing

"One Team, One Fight, One Future"

 

        Washington D.C.--On Columbus Day, Oct. 12, 1998, Army leaders signed the historic Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that will implement two Active Component/Army National Guard Integrated Divisions. This action is a giant step to further the integration of the Active Army and Army National Guard structure. This MOA was signed by leaders from the Active Army and Army National Guard in the presence of Army leaders in Washington D.C.
        This MOA sets forth the basic operational procedures by which the Active Army and Army National Guard Integrated Divisions will function. It provides the foundation of the division composition and organization, the mission, command relationships, command and control, personnel, funding, training, logistics, and mobilization and deployment details. It recognizes the dual-status of members of the Army National Guard nd the distinct roles of the State and Federal governments. The MOA signing brings the vision of the Active Component/Army National Guard (AA/ARNG) Integrated Divisions to reality.
        This initiative is fully supported by Guard Adjutants General of the affected states. "The National Guard leadership is supportive and enthusiastic about this significant step that furthers the integration of the Active and National Guard combat structure," said Maj. Gen. William A. Navas, Jr., former director, Army National Guard.
        The two divisions will come into existence and be fully operational by October 1999.
        In 1995, the Commission on Roles and Missions (CORM) recommended a greater integration and cooperation between the Army’s Active and Reserve components. In August of that year the Army initiated a study called the Army National Guard Division Redesign Study in response to CORM recommendations. One of the results of the ARNG Division Redesign Study was a proposal to form two integrated warfighting divisions. Each integrated division would consist of an active component headquarters and three enhanced Army National Guard Separate Brigades. This proposal was approved by the Secretary of the Army on May 23, 1996.
        On Aug. 6, 1997, following a study conducted by U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, the Secretary of the Army directed establishment of the Implementation Process Action Team under the direction of the commanding general, U.S. Army Forces Command. The result of the first phase of the work, selection of the six enhanced separate Army National Guard brigades and two Active Army headquarters, was approved by the Secretary of the Army on Dec. 2, 1997.
        On Dec. 3, 1997, the Secretary of the Army announced the plan to establish two Active Component/Army National Guard integrated divisions.
        The initiative creates a seamless Total Army for the 21^st Century. Each division will consist of an active component division headquarters and three Army National Guard enhanced separate brigades. The first division headquarters company (main) will be located at Fort Riley, Kan., with a forward element at Fort Jackson, S.C. The enhanced separate brigades are the 30^th Mechanized Infantry Brigade of N.C, 48^th Mechanized Infantry Brigade of Ga., and 218^th Mechanized Infantry Brigade of S.C. The second division headquarters company (main) will be located at Fort Carson, Colo. The enhanced separate brigades are the 39^th Infantry Brigade of Ark., 41st Infantry Brigade of Oregon and 45^th Infantry Brigade of Okla.
        This agreement is a major step in implementing Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen’s recent memorandum calling for further integration between active and reserve components in the Total Force. "In order to ensure readiness and face the threats of tomorrow and beyond," said Cohen, "our Total Force must work together. We can no longer achieve our operational goals as separate active and reserve components. This new initiative helps us create a seamless Total Army for the 21^st Century, integrated so that it captures the core competencies of the service components. It increases the Army’s readiness and capability to respond in an ever-changing environment."
        The Chief of Staff of the Army, General Dennis J. Reimer’s white paper published this year, has a theme that best sums up the Total Army concept of Integration of the Active Army and Army National Guard - "One Team, One Fight, One Future."

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