Security Force Assistance Brigade Explained

A Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB) (pronounced [1]) is a specialized United States Army unit formed to conduct security force assistance (SFA) missions: to train, advise, assist, enable and accompany operations with allied and partner nations.[2] SFABs are intended to reduce the burden of such operations on conventionally-organized Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs), allowing BCTs to focus on fighting near-peer threats.

Designed on the model of a standard infantry brigade combat team, SFABs are composed of roughly 800 personnel, primarily commissioned and non-commissioned officers selected from regular and National Guard Army units and given additional training at the Military Advisor Training Academy (MATA) at Fort Moore, Georgia.

History

During the War in Afghanistan (2001-2021) and the War in Iraq (2003-2010) the Department of Defense attempted to build foreign armies, other military forces, police forces, and other security forces.

United States MiTTs trained the Iraqi Army and National Police and ETTs did the same in Afghanistan. Training over 350,000 Soldiers and Police between the two nations MiTTs and ETTs were heavily employed but suffered from a lack of standardization in programs of instructions, force structure, and selection criteria. Trying to draw lessons from these experiences the U.S. Army utilized portions of Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs) as Regionally Aligned Forces (RAF). Utilizing BCTs as RAF as the primary mechanism to deliver training and assistance did improve performance. However, as the primary role of brigade combat teams were seen as winning in conventional regular warfare, rather than irregular operations, RAFs were not seen as sufficient. Therefore, Security Force Assistance Brigades were created as a dedicated answer from 2017.

From August 2017 to May 2020 the Army established six Security Force Assistance Brigades (SFABs). Originally designed to provide advice, assist, and accompany capabilities to Afghan, Iraqi, and Peshmerga Security Forces, the Army reorganized SFABs in 2019 to meet the global challenges inherent to strategic competition. With the completion of global alignment in summer 2021, SFABs transitioned and assumed a role the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Army described as “the Army’s leading edge of campaigning.” In addition to providing Combatant Commands’ persistent, predictable, and effective capabilities during competition, SFABs help marshal United States allies and partners. SFABs’ role in crisis and conflict has not only been tested during Combat Training Center rotations and Warfighter Exercises, it was put to use as part of EUCOM and NATO's assure and deter operations during Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.[3] [4] [5]

Overview

The mission of the SFAB is to carry out training, advise, and assist (TAA) missions overseas with foreign nation military partners. SFABs are the United States Army's latest solution to providing dedicated and trained personnel to relieve the Brigade Combat Teams from performing combat advisory missions and enable them to focus on their primary combat mission.[6] Before SFABs, the combat advisory role was filled by non-commissioned officers and commissioned officers detailed from the Brigade Combat Teams to train host nation military forces, leaving critical leadership billets unfilled. Operating in units with roughly 800 personnel, SFABs are designed to be versatile and deployable worldwide and are made up exclusively of NCOs and officers, however E-4s with promotable status are accepted and receive promotion to sergeant (E-5) upon graduation of MATA.[7]

SFABs are conventional units composed of volunteers recruited from units across the Regular Army. Volunteers undergo a five-day assessment at Fort Moore which evaluates a candidate's physical fitness, decision-making, problem solving, and communications skills as well as their ethics and morals.[8] All SFAB volunteers then attend MATA training. Trainees may receive additional language training, culture training, foreign weapons training and medical training, among other topics.[9] [10] The SFABs are equipped with secure, but unclassified communications gear, utilizing T2C2 (Transportable Tactical Command Communications) systems, a novel type of backpack satellite voice and data terminals.[11] [12] CECOM is augmenting this gear with vehicle-mounted, and hand-carried radios.[13]

In March 2020, Logistics Advisor Team 1610, 6th Battalion, 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade delivered a Vehicle Maintenance and Recovery Course to the Senegalese Army in Dakar, Senegal. This was 1st SFAB's first mission in USARAF's area of responsibility.[14]

The existence of SFABs are part of a broader trend by the US military to specialize in the provision of military aid and assistance to "weak states" in trying to stand up capable security institutions in the host-nation. However, it is unclear if the SFABs will be able to overcome the "three SFA traps" of trying to create an effective military in a recipient state that cannot afford an army, views their army as a threat, or uses that army to consolidate power and settle scores with rivals.[15]

SFAB organizational structure

The 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade was the first SFAB raised in the United States Army. Based in Fort Moore, Georgia the 1st SFAB is made up of the first graduates of MATA and are under the command of Colonel [16] Christopher Landers and Command Sergeant Major Christopher Goodart. On February 8, 2018, the 1st SFAB held its official activation ceremony at the National Infantry Museum on Fort Moore, Georgia.[17] The Army plans to raise a total of six SFABs, five of which will be in the active duty Army, and one in the Army National Guard.[18] The Indiana Army National Guard is providing the headquarters for the newly designated 54th SFAB. 1st Battalion is being organized by the Georgia Army National Guard. Two battalions are being organized by the Florida Army National Guard, the 3rd Squadron, 54th Cavalry, and the 2nd Infantry Battalion.[19] [20]

According to Meghann Myers, the U.S. Army prioritized installations that are also home to divisions, with a two-star general on site to provide guidance and facilitate training, as homes for the Security Force Assistance Brigades.[21]

On May 18, 2018, the Army announced that the Security Force Assistance Command (SFAC) will be established at Fort Bragg. This division-level Command, led by a Brigadier General, will oversee the Army's six Security Force Assistance Brigades, as well as the MATA[22] for SFAB training and oversight. SFAC and 2nd SFAB were activated on 3 December 2018 at Fort Bragg;[23] BG Mark Landes and BG Donn Hill are the Commanding Generals of SFAC and 2nd SFAB, respectively.[23]

By 2020, the SFABs are to include missions to US Central Command, US Southern Command, US Indo-Pacific Command, and US Africa Command.[24] According to a US military journal, "such specialized security force assistance units is a stopgap measure that frees up more resources for conventional warfare, allowing the rest of the US military to focus on combined-arms training and equipping for conflict and competition with China and Russia."[25]

SFAB recruiting

The SFAB Recruiting and Retention Team[26] was formed to provide SFAB leader development briefs and recruit Army-wide Soldiers and leaders for SFAB opportunities. Eligible Soldiers volunteer for SFAB assignments by completing two SFAB Volunteer forms[27] DA Form 4187 (Personnel Request) and SF 600 (Medical Screening) and e-mailing both to the Human Resources Command (HRC) SFAB Team for screening. On May 15, 2018, Army officials released new guidance on the Army's Selective Retention Bonus (SRB) Program, which includes first-ever bonuses up to $52,000 for those who reenlist for critical Security Forces Assistance Brigade positions.[28]

List of Security Force Assistance Brigades

See also

Notes and References

  1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OB9ITFT1n9Q&t=84s 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade
  2. Web site: Operational and Organizational Concept. 2018-04-04. 2018-05-22. Fort Benning. May 22, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180522112518/https://fortbenningausa.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/TCM_SFAB_2018.pdf. live.
  3. U.S. Army Public Affairs (23 Sep 2022) 4th SFAB ACOET Media Roundtable
  4. Chief of Staff Paper #1 (16 Mar 2021) Army Multi-Domain Transformation: Ready to Win in Competition and Conflict
  5. Chief of Staff Paper #2 (1 March 2021) The Army in Military Competition
  6. Web site: Security force assistance brigades to free brigade combat teams from advise, assist mission . U.S. Army . 2017-05-18 . Lopez . C. Todd . 2018-01-14 . March 11, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180311204809/https://www.army.mil/article/188004/security_force_assistance_brigades_to_free_brigade_combat_teams_from_advise_assist_mission . live .
  7. Web site: 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade promotes first Soldiers under new promotion policy . U.S. Army . 2017-11-02 . Joseph . Truckley . 2018-01-14 . November 7, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171107031150/https://www.army.mil/article/196383/1st_security_force_assistance_brigade_promotes_first_soldiers_under_new_promotion_policy . live .
  8. Web site: So you want to be an SFAB Advisor? Here's how.... Mark. Albright. U.S. Army. June 6, 2019. June 10, 2019. January 3, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200103164004/https://www.army.mil/article/222867/so_you_want_to_be_an_sfab_advisor_heres_how. live.
  9. Web site: 1st SFAB Assesses Candidates . U.S. Army . Arjenis . Nunez . 2017-11-03 . 2018-01-14 . July 24, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180724124000/https://www.army.mil/article/196416/1st_sfab_assesses_candidates . live .
  10. Web site: Equipping SFABs: A 'Rubik's Cube' of logistics . U.S. Army . Kevin . Fleming . 2017-12-21 . 2018-01-14 . January 13, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180113093303/https://www.army.mil/article/198514/equipping_sfabs_a_rubiks_cube_of_logistics . live .
  11. Web site: Army buying portable satcom gear that fits in soldiers' backpacks. Sandra. Erwin. October 8, 2018. SpaceNews. October 25, 2018. April 24, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230424044124/https://spacenews.com/army-buying-portable-satcom-gear-that-fits-in-soldiers-backpacks/. live.
  12. ASA(ALT) Weapon Systems Handbook 2018, T2C2
  13. Web site: 4th SFAB gearing up with high tech. Scott. Prater. July 23, 2019. Fort Carson Mountaineer. December 4, 2019. December 4, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191204173218/https://www.fortcarsonmountaineer.com/2019/07/4th-sfab-gearing-up-with-high-tech/. live.
    • For the Humvee-mounted retrofits:
      1. Replace the alternator.
      2. Install a hardened computer.
      3. Install 11 different types of radio systems, antennas and components.
  14. Matthew Fontaine (7 May 2020). "1st SFAB begins advising mission to Africa with vehicle maintenance training in Senegal" .
  15. Jahara Matisek. and William Reno. 2019. Getting American Security Force Assistance Right: Political Context Matters. Joint Force Quarterly. 92. 65–73. March 1, 2019. May 10, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190510095110/https://ndupress.ndu.edu/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/1738248/getting-american-security-force-assistance-right-political-context-matters/. live.
  16. Web site: 1st SFAB Commander earns 1st Star and Promotion to Brigadier General. Matthew. Fontaine. August 18, 2018. U.S. Army. August 25, 2019. August 25, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190825095058/https://www.army.mil/article/210073/1st_sfab_commander_earns_1st_star_and_promotion_to_brigadier_general. live.
  17. Web site: 1st SFAB hosts activation ceremony; Heraldry announced. U.S. Army. 2018-02-08. 2018-03-02. March 2, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180302044743/https://www.army.mil/article/200244/1st_sfab_hosts_activation_ceremony_heraldry_announced. live.
  18. Web site: SFAB » Home . Tradoc News . 2017-10-23 . 2018-01-14 . December 30, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171230054450/http://tradocnews.org/tag/sfab/ . live .
  19. Web site: Florida officer first Guardsman to complete SFAB training. 2018-05-07. 2018-05-22. National Guard. Carmen. Fleischmann. May 22, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180522112641/https://www.army.mil/article/204820/florida_officer_first_guardsman_to_complete_sfab_training. live.
  20. Web site: Florida Soldier becomes first National Guard member to graduate Combat Advisor Training Course. 2018-05-04. 2018-05-22. Capital Soup. May 22, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180522180933/http://capitalsoup.com/2018/05/04/florida-soldier-becomes-first-national-guard-member-graduate-combat-advisor-training-course/. live.
  21. News: Myers . Meghann . These three posts will be home to the Army’s next security force assistance brigades . 19 December 2018 . Army Times . 21 May 2018 . April 24, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230424044124/https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2018/05/18/these-three-posts-will-be-home-to-the-armys-next-three-security-force-assistance-brigades/ . live .
  22. Web site: Fort Bragg will be home to Security Force Assistance Command. 2018-05-18. The Fayetteville Observer. Drew. Brooks. 2018-06-11. June 12, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140049/http://www.fayobserver.com/news/20180518/fort-bragg-will-be-home-to-security-force-assistance-command. live.
  23. Web site: Security Force Assistance Command, 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade activate at Fort Bragg. Security Force Assistance Command Public Affairs. December 3, 2018. December 10, 2018. December 10, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181210202629/https://www.army.mil/article/214605/security_force_assistance_command_2nd_security_force_assistance_brigade_activate_at_fort_bragg. live.
  24. Web site: Sean Kimmons (7 May 2020) SFABs look to grow force, expand missions around the world . May 13, 2020 . May 16, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200516020755/https://www.army.mil/article/235370/sfabs_look_to_grow_force_expand_missions_around_the_world . live .
  25. Matisek . Jahara . Williamson . Joshua . Limited Wars in the Periphery: The Dilemma of American Military Assistance . Expeditions with MCU Press . June 2020 . 10.36304/ExpwMCUP.2020.03.
  26. Web site: SFAB Recruiting & Retention Facebook Page . Facebook . 2017-09-15 . 2018-03-02 . January 27, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190127061531/https://www.facebook.com/SFABRecruiting/ . live .
  27. Web site: SFAB Volunteer Forms . www.armyreenlistment.com . 2017-09-15 . 2018-03-02 . March 4, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180304054947/http://www.armyreenlistment.com/sfab.html . live .
  28. Web site: Army announces new changes to retention bonuses, kickers. U.S. Army. Sean. Kimmons. 15 May 2018. 16 May 2018. May 16, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180516202018/https://www.army.mil/article/205376/army_announces_new_changes_to_retention_bonuses_kickers. live.
  29. Web site: Army announces activation of second Security Force Assistance Brigade at Fort Bragg. U.S. Army. 8 December 2017. 10 March 2018. December 23, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171223010623/https://www.army.mil/article/197954/army_announces_activation_of_second_security_force_assistance_brigade_at_fort_bragg. live.
  30. Web site: U.S. Army Public Affairs (23 April 2020) Army announces upcoming 4th Security Forces Assistance Brigade, unit rotation . May 1, 2020 . March 19, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210319025657/https://www.army.mil/article/234812/ . live .
  31. Web site: Sean Kimmons, Army News Service (28 April 2020) Latest SFAB activates, prepares for Afghanistan mission . May 1, 2020 . May 4, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200504023605/https://www.army.mil/article/235048/latest_sfab_activates_prepares_for_afghanistan_mission . live .
  32. Web site: 4th Security Force Assistance Brigade. Fort Caron. 24 February 2019. February 25, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190225161849/http://www.carson.army.mil/units/4sfab.html. live.
  33. https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2020/05/29/final-sfab-activates-with-upcoming-missions-in-asia-as-army-plans-a-pacific-pathways-restart/ Final SFAB activates with upcoming missions in Asia, as Army plans a Pacific Pathways restart
  34. Web site: 5th Security Force Assistance Brigade Official Facebook page. Facebook. 13 July 2019. July 18, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190718103942/https://www.facebook.com/5thSFAB/. live.
  35. Web site: Army announces the stationing of three Security Force Assistance Brigades. U.S. Army. 18 May 2018. 18 May 2018. May 19, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180519033222/https://www.army.mil/article/205490/army_announces_the_stationing_of_three_security_force_assistance_brigades. live.
  36. News: Indiana National Guard to stand up new assistance brigade. National Guard. 2018-06-10. en-US. 2018-03-30. Jeff. Lowry. May 22, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180522111522/http://www.nationalguard.mil/News/Article/1480551/indiana-national-guard-to-stand-up-new-assistance-brigade/. live.
  37. Web site: Memorandum for NG J1 RRF (All-Entire RRF), ARNG 54th Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB) (SMOM #18-040). National Guard Bureau. 30 April 2018. 6 October 2018. October 6, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181006234758/http://smtc.dodlive.mil/files/2018/07/SMOM-18-040-AC-ARNG-54th-Security-Force-Assistance-Brigade-SFAB.pdf. live.

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