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APPENDIX B

Reconstitution

OVERVIEW

Reconstitution includes those actions taken to return unit to an acceptable level of combat power. Going beyond normal day-to-day sustainment activities, reconstitution divides into two categories: reorganization and regeneration. Reorganization shifts combat power potential between units according to the commander's plan of action. Regeneration infuses a unit with increased resources to rebuild combat power potential. The commander can execute them separately, but most often he will effect them in combination, depending on the current and anticipated situation, command priorities, resources, and time.

REORGANIZATION

Reorganization is the shifting of resources within a degraded unit to increase its overall combat effectiveness until more extensive efforts can take place. It is the easiest means of maintaining combat power in the early stages of a conflict and in forward units throughout the duration of the conflict. It also forms a basis for designing regeneration efforts. Reorganization is the method used my most commanders.

Since assets for reorganization are internal to the reorganizing unit, commanders and staff can predict reorganization activities and make them a matter of SOP. Immediate battlefield reorganization is the quick, temporary restoration of degraded units to minimum levels of combat capability. This type of reorganization meets near term requirements and takes place either in or near the unit's battle position. It is normally implemented by the reorganizing unit's commander. The essence of immediate battlefield reorganization is to shift readily available assets within the unit to increase combat power.

When time and resources permit, units conduct deliberate reorganization. This normally occurs farther to the rear than immediate battlefield reorganization. Procedures are similar to those of immediate battlefield reorganization with these exceptions:

• Limited replacement resources may be available.
• More equipment repair is possible.
• Weapon system replacement operations (WSRO) can be implemented.
• More extensive cross leveling is possible.

REGENERATION

Regeneration involves the rebuilding of a unit through large-scale replacement of personnel, equipment, and supplies, the re-establishment of essential command and control and mission-essential training. The intensive nature of regeneration may require the unit to move to an area protected from enemy interdiction and harassment. Regeneration is the most, difficult reconstitution option to use; it requires the most effort, coordination, training, personnel, and materiel.

Regeneration requires external assistance from an echelon of command (normally two levels higher than the regenerating unit) which owns the support assets required for the operation. There are two methods of regeneration: incremental regeneration and whole-unit regeneration.

INCREMENTAL REGENERATION

Incremental regeneration is the massive infusion of individual personnel replacements and single items of equipment into a unit. This method uses the existing personnel and supply system to provide replacement personnel and equipment.

WHOLE-UNIT REGENERATION

Whole-unit regeneration is the replacement of whole units or definable unit subelements, including squads, teams, or crews. A degraded unit or subelement may be replaced entirely when it has suffered heavy losses, is no longer combat-effective, or incremental replacement is not possible.

A selected reconstitution site must be located to be reasonably safe from enemy activity, beyond the range of enemy artillery. The site must be large enough to accommodate the unit as wel1 as corps or division assets involved in the reconstitution operation. CSS reconstitution planning should include--

• Locations for reconstitution.
• Equipment requirements. What are the most likely candidate items of replacement equipment? Will they be available?
• Supply replenishment. What supplies will the unit need? Will they be available?
• Personnel replacements. What individual (by MOS) and small unit (team, crew, squad, section) replacements will most likely be required?
• Transportation. What are the transportation requirements for moving the unit and its equipment to the reconstitution site? How will the replacement equipment, personnel, and replenishment supplies move to the site?
• Decontamination. If decontamination is necessary, who will do it? Where?
• Medical requirements. Will medical treatment be available at the site, or will treatment require further evacuation? Are there sufficient resources to treat the unit's likely battle fatigue casualties?
• Maintenance. What type of maintenance support is likely to be required? What about repair parts and equipment?
• Morale, welfare, and recreation. What MWR resources can allow soldiers even a short respite? MWR is especially important when a unit has taken major losses and is awaiting reconstitution.

The above considerations are not inclusive; they are all situational-dependent. What is important is that they should be part of a reconstitution plan that is adaptable to changing situations.

Restorative efforts begin within an attrited unit and from external resources even before the unit arrives at the reconstitution site. If possible, basic loads are replenished at the battle location. Resupply may be critical to moving the unit to the reconstitution site. The unit should upload Class V supplies to give itself a self-defense capability. It may also need water, rations, and critical repair parts. Recovery and evacuation begin immediately. Emergency medical treatment begins at once and continues into the reconstitution site. These efforts require close coordination and quick reaction among assisting elements.

Once the unit reaches the reconstitution site, it replenishes all classes of supply. Among the more critical will be Class VII, particular weapon systems. Class VII will come from several sources: prepositioned war reserve materiel stocks (PWRMS), if still available; evacuated and repaired equipment; distributed assets; and equipment received through the normal replacement supply system. All assets should be ready to issue and ready to fight if possible.

Regeneration requires external as well as internal transportation assets during all stages. Medical evacuation must meet requirements beyond the medical system's capability. Transportation resources will evacuate disabled and damaged equipment and personnel to the reconstitution site.

Unit and direct support maintenance personnel will get the maximum amount of equipment to en route maintenance sites and to the reconstitution site. They will concentrate on restoring equipment to at least minimal operational capability for return to the unit. Emphasis is on repair of end items critical to unit effectiveness, according to the commander's priorities.

Emergency medical treatment begins as soon and as far forward as possible and continues rearward. Triage procedures provide the greatest benefit to the force. Soldiers with minimal injuries and wounds return to duty as soon as possible.

Mortuary Affairs assets will be in demand en route and at the reconstitution site. Clothing exchange and bath services should be available. Decontamination units may be needed; however, decontamination should be performed en route in selected decontamination sites, if possible. Pastoral care and religious services should be available.

Individual replacements will come from the replacement system, medical returns, and redistributed assets. Individual replacements take time to integrate into units and to train. Replacement personnel orient to the unit and receive initial training in the positions they will fill.