Putting the Commander in Control--the Light Cavalry Regiment's Utility to the Joint Commander

With the demise of the Soviet Union, the world is entering a new phase and the United States has responded with an entirely new National Security Strategy. As a consequence, our military focus will be on more numerous, and likely regional operations, carried out at the operational level. The United States Army's Light Armored Cavalry Regiment Is the single best asset for ensuring the Joint Task Force Commander gains and maintains positive command and control in these contingency operations. This paper will address the Light Armored Cavalry Regiment's organization and equipment, and doctrinal employment to show how it is ideal for enhancing the Joint Task Force's ability to plan, prepare and execute at the operational level of war. The Joint Task Force commander will be a three star commander, working under the Unified Commander, who may or may not be dealing with other operations simultaneously. Four specific mission areas will be discussed to show how the Light Armored Cavalry Regiment is the best single unit to accomplish the multiple missions needed by the Joint Commander in executing future contingencies at the operational level.