Army converting two BCTs to meet National Defense Strategy

By Ashley Tressel / September 20, 2018 at 4:38 PM

The Army announced today it would convert two brigade combat teams to better suit the force to the service's modernization plan and the National Defense Strategy.

The 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, stationed at Ft. Bliss, TX, will begin conversion from a Stryker BCT to an armored BCT in the spring of 2019 and the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, stationed at Ft. Carson, CO, will begin conversion from an infantry BCT to an SBCT in the spring of 2020.

The moves come as the Army prepares to face near-peer adversaries that are forcing the service to reckon with its outdated systems and current force structure.

"Converting a brigade combat team from infantry to armor ensures the Army remains the world's most lethal ground combat force, able to deploy, fight, and win against any adversary, anytime and anywhere," Army Secretary Mark Esper said in the statement.

The conversions will give the active Army 11 total ABCTs, 13 IBCTs and seven SBCTs.

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