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CHAPTER 2

MOBILIZATION PHASE TOPICS AND LESSONS

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Mobilization phase issues are divided into three categories: the mobilization at home station phase, the movement to MOBSTA phase, and the operational readiness improvement phase. During the first phase the unit takes all necessary actions to expedite the transition from RC to AC status. In the second phase the unit transports all personnel and equipment to MOBSTA. The third phase begins when the unit closes at the MOBSTA and ends when the unit is validated as operationally ready for deployment.

TOPIC 2-1: Deviation from FORMDEPS.

DISCUSSION: Some units encountered delays when MOBSTA personnel deviated from FORMDEPS and repeated many of the administrative tasks the unit had accomplished at home station.

LESSON(S):

• MOBSTA personnel should accept the valid premobilization work products of RC units.

TOPIC 2-2: Postmobilization Training.

DISCUSSION: After arriving at MOBSTAs, some RC units had to repeat training previously conducted at home stations. Some Readiness Group (RG) personnel and/or MOBSTA personnel did not coordinate with RC unit commanders in developing the MOBSTA training plan. MOBSTA personnel did not follow the principles of EM 25-100, Training the Force, FM 25-101, Battle-Focused Training, FORMDEPS/RCUCH, and FORSCOM Form 3 19-R, Postmobilization Training and Support Requirements (PTSR).

LESSON(S):

• Do not mandate redundant training as a prerequisite for validation.
• All personnel of the Total Force Army should follow the published guidance of training documents.

TOPIC 2-3 : Training Documentation.

DISCUSSION: The requirements for training documentation varied from MOBSTA to MOBSTA. MOBSTA requirements for premobilization training documentation required by FORMDEPS and the RCUCH should be standard, and should be followed by MOBSTA personnel, RG personnel, and Mobilization Assistance Teams personnel. One standard should fit all components and all TRADOC, FORSCOM, and other MACOM installations.

LESSON(S):

• Follow the standards as articulated in current publications.

TOPIC 2-4: Criteria for Certification and Validation.

DISCUSSION: In most cases, there was no published or followed standard for RC unit premobilization training certification and validation. Furthermore, in most cases, there was no published or followed standard for RC unit postmobilization training certification and validation. The noted exception to lack of published criteria and standards is the U.S. Army Special Forces Command (USASFC) which published criteria for training certification and validation for all Special Forces (SF) units: AC, ARNG, and USAR. Upon mobilization of RC Special Forces units, USASFC staff members, with command emphasis from the Commander of USASFC, applied the published criteria and standards without deviation or question to all SF units, both AC and RC. As a result of the equal application of a published standard, the soldiers of the 20th Special Forces Group, Alabama ARNG, broke the record for the USASFC's Intensive Training Cycle. Additionally, RC units which had certified and validated during annual training prior to mobilization received full credit for validation without question. Members of validated RC units received enhancement training upon mobilization.

LESSON(S):

• Published validation criteria which apply equally to all components improve training, raise enthusiasm, increase confidence, and improve morale.
• Giving credit for previously conducted and validated training increases "espirit de corps" and negates parochialism among components.
• Published validation criteria follow the principles and tenants of training doctrine, i.e., EM 25-100, Training the Force, and EM 25-101, Battle Focused Training.

TOPIC 2-5: Use of Mobilized RC Soldiers for Installation Support.

DISCUSSION: At some MOBSTAs, mobilized RC personnel scheduled for deployment were used for installation support instead of dedicating this time to postmobilization processing and training. Mobilized RC unit personnel scheduled for deployment must not be assigned installation support duties. RC unit soldiers scheduled for deployment must dedicate the time to mission-essential tasks and training.

LESSON(S):

• Mobilized RC soldiers scheduled for deployment must not be assigned installation support duties, unless their training and deployment processing are complete and their actual deployment is delayed, or unless the support mission enhances mission training.
• RC soldiers scheduled for deployment must dedicate their time to mission-essential tasks and training.
• Installation support personnel and units must be mobilized based upon the size of the mobilization.
• Late deploying units could be mobilized and assigned to installation support duties until they are needed for deployment.

TOPIC 2-6: Weapons Qualification Records.

DISCUSSION: Some MOBSTAs did not accept RC unit weapons qualification records even if the records indicated that the weapons qualification was accomplished to the standards established in DA PAM 350-38, Standards in Weapons Training (STRAC). When mobilized RC soldiers have completed required postmobilization training, however, and time is available prior to deployment, additional weapons training will better prepare soldiers for a combat theater.

LESSON(S):

• MOBSTA personnel should be required to accept validly documented records. Complete all required postmobilization training before refresher training is initiated.

TOPIC 2-7: Transportation for RC Units while at the MOBSTA.

DISCUSSION: Some MOBSTAs did not provide adequate administrative and logistic transportation for mobilized RC units to move from station to station during inprocessing or training. Organic transportation assets of RC units may not be available to the unit while at the MOBSTA if maintenance or loading in preparation for deployment is being performed, or if the assets have already been shipped to the area of deployment. Thus, the RC unit, of necessity, must depend on the MOBSTA for transportation while at the MOBSTA.

LESSON(S):

• MOBSTAs shouid be required to provide adequate transportation to transport RC units to inprocessing stations and training sites.

T0PIC 2-8: Installation Property.

DISCUSSION: FORMDEPS prohibits units from taking installation property to the MOBSTA. Many necessary items of office equipment, to include typewriters and computers, are installation property. Many units required the use of such equipment both at MOBSTA and deployment area of operation (AO), but endured reduced administrative capabilities because they could not bring, and were not issued, such equipment at MOBSTA or by the gaining command. Further, FORMDEPS does not specify which items will be issued at the MOBSTA or by the gaining command. FORMDEPS should be rewritten to determine all administrative and logistics requirements.

LESSON(S): The approving authority must allow the necessary installation property to move with a mobilized RC unit to MOBSTA and to deployment areas. If this is not possible, then, in the alternative, the next four lessons require consideration:

• HQDA, FORSCOM, and representatives from MOBSTAs should conduct a study to determine a standard list of equipment necessary to augment TOEs/MTOEs/TDAs when RC units are mobilized.
• FORSCOM must rewrite FORMDEPS to identify administrative and logistics requirements.
• HQDA must provide funding for required augmentation equipment.
• Units should take appropriate action to add necessary installation property to the Modified Table(s) of Organization and Equipment (MTOE). Guidance for installation property is contained in Annex D, para 5(a)(3)(fl) Vol I, FORMDEPS.

TOPIC 2-9: Maps for Deployment.

DISCUSSION: RC units did not receive sufficient maps of their deployment area of operation when they were mobilized and deployed to other than their CAPSTONE/contingency plan AO. When units are deployed to other than their previously identified contingency plan area, the gaining command should fill map requirements.

LESSON(S):

• Require the gaining command to fill unanticipated map requirements. Identify early in the planning process where a unit is going and what the mission will be, and then the unit can request the required maps.
• Unit/organization commanders must take timely action to hand-draw and reproduce "sketch maps" when limited quantities of maps are issued to units

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"The President's call to active service has been one of the many success stories of DESERT SHIELD and a tribute to the men and women of our Reserve Components who serve the nation so selflessly." GENERAL Carl E. Vuono Chief of Staff, United States

Table of Contents
Chapter 1 - Premobilization Phase Topics and Lessons
Chapter 3 - General Topics and Lessons