| Summary: | Approved for public release, distribution unlimited === This thesis examines the U.S. Army's current plan to create an Active Duty Civil Affairs Brigade within U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) to provide direct support to general purpose forces (GPF). This thesis analyzes this new alignment of Civil Affairs forces within the U.S. Army, to determine if this is the best course of action considering the current and emerging operational environment, and possible effects on the Active Duty Civil Affairs branch. Recommendations are given to rectify the problems identified, and to suggest alternate courses of action regarding the placement of Civil Affairs forces and their structure within the U.S. Army. With DoD directive 3000.7 stating that Irregular Warfare (IW) is as strategically important as traditional warfare, and Field Manual 3-0 stating stability operations are equivalent to both offensive and defensive operations, Civil Affairs will have a key role in almost all conflicts in the foreseeable future. DoD Directive 3000.7 makes clear that any new Civil Affairs force structure formed now, will affect the U.S. Army's ability to confront threats in the coming years.
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