82d Soldier Support Battalion
The 82d Soldier Support Battalion (Airborne) was formed 21 January 1997 as the Army's and FORSCOM's first Soldier Support Battalion. The 82d Soldier Support Battalion was formed by joining the 82d Personnel Services and the 82d Finance Battalions into one battalion.
After the demise of the Soviet Union and the end of the Persian Gulf War, Army strength was reduced from 725,000 to 491,500 in the mid-1990s. Active Army strength is projected to be 480,000 by late 1999. This 11,500 drawdown is targeted at combat service support (Finance and Personnel) and combat support operations. The Soldier Study was approved by the CG, Forces Command. The study director is the CG, Soldier Support Institute (SSI). Phase 1 tested BN headquarters Command and Control (Cē). Phase 2 would assess merging pay and personnel functions supported by the SIDPERS-3 computer system with PerPay additions, which were not yet implemented. This assessment would use the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) force development process which is a disciplined method of developing and testing doctrine and force structure. The 82d SSB test only validated Sē TOE additions for a Finance Operations Section, a Personnel Operations Section and an S6--Communications Staff Section.
The purpose of forming the 82d SSB is to provide the United States Army Soldier Support Institute (USASSI) with a test battalion for the integration of the AG and Finance Branches' functions. The 82d SSB test served as the model for the rest of the XVIII Abn Corps SSBs that followed in the summer 1998. The 82d SSB pioneered, implemented and continuously improves upon our own doctrine, training, logistics, and management systems with minimum guidance and assistance from the proponent AG and Finance Schools.
Restructured the Battalion on 1 July 1998 from nine detachments to six companies: A Co (PS), B Co (PS), C Co (FIN), HHC, 82d Repl Co, 82d Band. This restructuring initiative streamlined the command and control responsibilities of the commander and streamlined the support requirements of the staff. This force structure initiative impacted over a third of the Battalion's MTOE positions and the equipment associated with those positions and companies. Created multifunctional Forward Area Support Teams (FAST Teams) to provide DS to our line brigades. Have aligned each technical support company in support of a brigade task force for daily mission support and for wartime operations. A Co supports 1st Bde; B Co supports 2d Bde; C Co supports 3d Bde. Deployed a 25-paratrooper FAST team under the leadership of C Co with the 3d Bde TF to the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC). B FAST team deployed with 2d Bde TF to NTC. Most significantly, the 82d SSB is the first unit in the history of the JRTC and FORSCOM to send a consolidated finance/AG team to the "Box" in support of a Brigade Task Force.
The 82d Personnel Services Battalion (Airborne) was activated 18 July 1994 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. While assigned to the 18th Personnel Group (Airborne) it was subsequently attached to, and provides direct support to, the 82d Airborne Division. Upon activation the battalion provided the Division Commander with a single source for personnel service support, replacement, band, and postal operations. Its six detachments were formed from the following units.
The 82d Personnel Service Company was constituted 24 June 1921 in the Organized Reserves as Headquarters, Special Troops, 82d Division. After numerous redesignations, it was redesignated 1 October 1987 in the Regular Army as the 82d Personnel Service Company and activated at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The 82d Personnel Service Company participated in the defense of Saudi Arabia and liberation and defense of Kuwait.
The 82d Replacement Detachment was constituted 16 October 1942 in the U.S. Army as a Replacement Company within the 22d Replacement Battalion. After numerous redesignations it was redesignated 1 October 1987 as the 82d Replacement Detachment as a section within the Headquarters Company, 82d Airborne Division. The 82d Replacement Detachment participated in the defense of Saudi Arabia and liberation and defense of Kuwait.
The 82d Finance Battalion (Airborne) was constituted 21 September 1974 in the Regular Army as the 82d Finance Company, assigned to the 82d Airborne Division, and activated at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Reorganized and redesignated 16 April 1987 as the 82d Finance Support Unit and concurrently relieved from assignment to the 82d Airborne Division. Reorganized and redesignated 16 October 1992 as the 82d Finance Battalion.
The 82d Airborne Division Band was constituted 29 March 1942 in the Organized Reserves as Band, 82d Infantry Division Artillery. After numerous redesignations, it was redesignated as the 82d Airborne Division Band on 16 September 1987. The 82d Airborne Division Band participated in the defense of Saudi Arabia and liberation and defense of Kuwait.
