Army modularization schedule set.

As the Army transforms, it is converting its active divisions to modular, brigade-plus-sized units of action. The first division to complete this conversion was the 3d Infantry Division (Mechanized) at Fort Stewart, Georgia, which grew from three brigade combat teams to four as it became a modular combat force. The Army plans to convert the nine remaining divisions to units of action by fiscal year 2007.

The conversions will be completed as follows: The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, will convert this fiscal year. In fiscal year 2005, the 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized) at Fort Carson, Colorado, and the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) at Fort Drum, New York, will convert. The 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas, the 25th Infantry Division (Light) at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, and the 82d Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, will convert in fiscal year 2006. Pending funding and approval by the Department of Defense, the 2nd Infantry Division in South Korea, the 1st Infantry Division (Mechanized) in Wurzburg, Germany, and the 1st Armored Division in Wiesbaden, Germany, are scheduled for conversion in fiscal year 2007.

The Army National Guard also will begin modularizing its brigade combat teams into units of action, starting next year with three brigades. Six additional National Guard brigades are slated for modularization each year between fiscal years 2006 and 2010.

Modularization will affect about 100,000 positions. Many soldiers in less needed Cold War specialties, such as field artillery and air defense, will have to retrain for positions in greater demand today, such as infantrymen, military police, civil affairs specialists, and truck drivers.

The modularization is the largest restructure the Army has made in 50 years.