I am doing a series of articles on Additional Skill Identifiers (ASIs). Army personnel have a primary job that they are trained for, but additional skills can be attained as the person completes the required training to do so. When that person completes this training, they are given a code that distinguishes any added skills they have gained.
It is wise to gain as many additional skills as possible, as it can help you both in your Army career and your civilian career.
In today’s post, we are going to take a look at an Additional Skill Identifier that every unit should have at the very least, one person who holds this skill. In my opinion, it would be beneficial if a lot of unit personnel had this ASI. We will take a look at Army ASI 6M: mobilization and demobilization operations.
Army Mobilization and Demobilization
It is imperative that in case of a National emergency or war that units both big and small are prepared at a moments notice to mobilize to an area they are ordered to. This will include both manpower and machinery, weapons and vehicles. The whole process of mobilization could be a logistical nightmare, but the Army has learned to put key personnel in the proper placements to make sure the mobilization process flows fast and smooth.
Demobilization works with the same process, just in reverse.
When we consider mobilization and demobilization, the best example I can think of is the career both of my sons are in…moving people and businesses. When a moving truck is loaded, there must be a plan of action. You don’t just throw stuff on the truck, it must be in an orderly fashion. There are several factors that must be considered.
How to get the most items loaded in one load
What needs to be unloaded first
Weight balance on the truck
Fragile items
Weight shift in transportation
and more
So why do I bring civilian movers into the picture of an Army mobilization and demobilization process? Because it is essentially the same factors that must be considered.
Some factors are naturally more important than others. It may be a situation where defensive armaments need to arrive first to provide defense for the unloading of other equipment and personnel. It could be that personnel need to arrive first, but they also need tents and supplies, and food/water.
It is all about the plan, and those with the Additional Skill Identifier 6M play a major part in this.
Other posts you may enjoy:
- Army ASI 3Q: Strategic Debriefer and Interrogator
- Army ASI 3Z: Mortar Unit Officer
- Army ASI 4N: Health Care Recruiter
- Army ASI 4W: Underwater Special Operations
- Army ASI T9: Criminal Analysis Specialist
The ASI 6M’s Role In Mobilization and Demobilization
When an order to mobilize or demobilize is made, a large amount of Army personnel are given tasks and responsibilities. Those with ASI 6M will offer advice and opinions to Commanders and other key personnel in the process.
The plans will be developed on which, what and who is mobilized first. In a similar fashion to the moving truck/s scenario earlier in this post, the ASI 6M will be the one in charge of making sure the order of movement is followed, keeping in mind other key factors just like the foreman of a moving company would do.
Mobilization is a 5 phase system:
Planning
Alert Issuance
Home Station
Mobilization Station
Movement to the Port of Embarkation
Units may have many who hold ASI 6M, and the more, the better. Commanders have a lot on their plates in a mobilization or demobilization process, and personnel who hold the ASI 6M will have different responsibilities the Commander tasks them with in the process of mobilizing or demobilizing.
Types of Mobilization
There are multiple types of mobilization. They consist of:
Full Mobilization: By Congressional action at the request of the President, this means attaining all the resources needed to support any requirements for an act of war or national emergency.
Total Mobilization: This is when additional resources are called upon to support existing operations from full mobilization.
Partial Mobilization: This is a system to expand from full mobilization.
Selective Mobilization: In normal circumstances, selective mobilization is only used in cases of a domestic emergency (floods, fires, etc…)
Once a type of mobilization is determined, planning then starts. OPLANS are developed by Commanders and these plans are passed down to key personnel. ASI 6M would be considered key personnel in these plans.
Mobilization and Demobilization Summary
Mobilization and demobilization has, and is being perfected everyday, every hour within the United States Army.
Over the years, the time involved in mobilizing forces has been lessened by a great extent. I could go on and on about the processes of mobilizing and demobilizing, and when finished, I would probably have a book the size of Webster’s Dictionary.
There is so much involved in the process, that it is imperative that the Army develops key leaders in this leadership and logistics process. That is why the Army trains and develops personnel with an Additional Skill Identifier of 6M.
ASI 6M Training
There are many facets to mobilize and demobilize Army personnel and equipment. As it is a support operation, training for those who wish to gain an ASI 6M is undertaken at The Home of the Ultimate Weapon: Fort Dix.
If you believe you have what it takes to gain the ASI 6M designation, I suggest you pass that on to your Chain of Command so you can start receiving the training needed. The Army needs experts in mobilization procedures, and it is doubtful that if you have the desire, they would deny you the training to be a factor in mobilizing and demobilizing Army forces and equipment.
How The ASI 6M Can Help You
Not only will you play a very important role in the Army process, you will gain experience that can help you in other facets. The ASI 6M is a leader, and as such, you will gain leadership experience. Job cuts come seldom for those involved with mobilization and demobilization. This is a skill that will not be deleted, because the Army will always need this skill in personnel.
And, in your after Army career, this skill can set you up for many opportunities. You could manage logistics operations at various companies and corporations nationwide. It just makes good sense to have this skill in your portfolio.
Final Thoughts
We would love to hear from any of you that have the Additional Skill Identifier 6M. Please tell us more about your responsibilities. And, any other information you may want to provide on the process of mobilizing and demobilizing.
No, this may not be a sexy job to have, but without the ASI 6M, there probably wouldn’t be any glorious jobs in the Army, because they wouldn’t be moved to where they need to be.
What are your thoughts? Do you have any questions? You can post them below. Thanks for visiting, and here are more references on the mobilization and demobilization process:
Chuck Holmes
Former Army Major (resigned)
Publisher, Part-Time-Commander.com
Email: mrchuckholmes@gmail.com
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