A very interesting post. I'm mulling the reason for this. I note the following:
Penetration Div:
- BCT Paladins grouped in div arty bde and an ERCA GS bn added;
- combined arms bns back up to four companies 2 tank/2 inf
- BSBs retained (but I expect the FSC for the BCT arty bns will move to the arty bde - but no organic MLRS;
- a robot combat vehicle company in each bde
- a new div cav sqn BUT this seems to be an overall cavalry reduction because each BCT has a three cav troop/1 tank coy cav sqn now for a total of 9 cav troops and 3 tank coys - this is going down to 6 troops and a surveillance company - I expect this is where the additional tank companies in the bde's are coming from - not sure where the six extra inf coys are coming from
- interesting if each cav troop goes half and half tanks and Bradleys - this ups the net tank count in the div by 12 tank platoons (4 companies or 1.3 bns);
- engineers up big time
Heavy Div
- not sure if these combined arms bns are 2x2 coys or 2x1/1x2 coys, bde Cav sqns remain with no div cav sqn.
- only 2 ABCTs + 1 Stryker bde - interesting;
- only three close support arty bns with no GS bn - no MLRS;
Light Div
- Inf BCTs change cav sqn to cav troop;
- div adds a tank bn which looks like a better than MGS but not as good as an Abrams ;
- again no arty GS bn nor HIMARS;
- from 3 IBCT engr bn to just two divisional ones!!!
Joint Forcible Entry Div -Abn
- Inf BCT change cav sqn to cav troop and loose engr bn
- div cav sqn added
- div tank bn added
Joint Forcible Entry Div - Air Asslt
- same as above;
- looks like 101 may gain an assault hel bn
There are some changes here which are notable (such as the return of 2x2 combined arms battalions) and the return to certain divisional control such as artillery and engineers. The cavalry changes were probably necessary to give the div better control of cav resources in a div battle and make sense. Leaving the BSBs with the BCTs also makes sense.
The existing div HQs, however, were already set up with Div Arty HQs to comm and and control both BCT arty as well as attached arty bdes or bns. I presume FSO and observer teams will still be affiliated with and stay with their manoeuvre bns. Same with sustainment bdes and engineer bdes and manoeuvre enhancement brigades. Can't see much improvement there.
I can see what they are doing, I'm just not so sure it was overall necessary. I expect 3 Corps at Fort Hood will have one or more of the Penetration Divs.