Mission
The 102d Training Division (Maneuver Support) is a generating force executing the U.S. Training and Doctrine Command's foundational capabilities of building and improving readiness by providing mission-critical, combat-ready Soldiers to the Army and Joint Warfighter that are trained, competent, lethal, and globally responsive to deter conflicts, protect national interests, and win our Nation’s wars.
Vision
The 102d Training Division (Maneuver Support) is a preeminent provider of institutional training via professional and experienced instructors within the One Army School System generating the skilled and ready Warriors/Leaders required to win decisively in a complex and dynamic multi-domain operational environment.
History
Activation: The 102d Infantry Division was constituted on 24 June 1921 as a part of the Organized Reserves. Created at the end of World War I, the 102d Infantry Division was not activated and remained a paper division allocated to the states of Missouri and Arkansas through the 1920s and 1930s. In September 1942, the division was called to active duty and sent to training at Camp Maxey and Camp Swift in Texas before being sent to Fort Dix, New Jersey, in preparation for deployment to the European Theater.
WWII Campaign: In November 1944, the 102d Infantry Division was introduced to its first combat operation and was soon at the forefront of the confrontation. The division distinguished itself as part of the Ninth Army while fighting through Holland into Germany. The enemy was pushed back across the Roer River as heavy casualties were inflicted by the Ozark Division. Combat operations continued through the Seigfried Line where the Ozark Division once again fought with distinction. As the enemy retreated, the Ozark Division crossed the Rhine River and remained in constant contact with the Axis Forces. On 4 May 1945, General Eisenhower declared, “Today what is left of two German armies surrendered to a single American division – the 102d, commanded by Major General Frank A. Keating.” On 7 May, the Russian troops made contact with the American forces and for the men of the Ozark Division the war was over after 181 days of combat. Occupation duty was performed until March 1946 when the last of the Ozark Division Soldiers sailed for home.
Post World War II: Upon its return to the United States, the division was deactivated for a short period of time from March 1946 to May 1947. The Ozark Division was reactivated as part of the Army Reserve in May 1947 under the command of Major General Leif Sverdrup. For the next 18 years, the 102d was based in Missouri and Southern Illinois and served as an integral component of the nation’s reserve forces. In December 1965, the 102d Division was deactivated again due to a reorganization of the Army Reserve.
Establishing Army Reserve Commands: In December 1967, the 102d Division was reactivated and renamed Army Reserve Command – Saint Louis. Shortly thereafter in early 1968 the 102d Infantry Division lineage, colors, and honors were bestowed upon the 102d ARCOM. During its first years of existence, the ARCOM was one of eighteen geographical commands created by the Department of Defense to streamline Army Reserve administrative functions. After its establishment, the 102d ARCOM commanded assets in five states (Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, and Illinois) consisting of more than 100 units and over 6000 Soldiers. Many early leaders of the command were former members of the division including the first ARCOM commander, Major General Herbert Johnson. The early 1970s brought a period of downsizing to the 102d. First, units in Colorado and Wyoming were transferred to Sixth Army and, under the “Steadfast” program in 1973, all Kansas units were also moved to the Sixth Army. A major highlight of the late 1970s was the selection of Major General Henry Mohr, commander of the 102d ARCOM, as the Chief of the United States Army Reserve (CAR).
Vietnam: The 102d ARCOM had two subordinate units that participated in the war in Vietnam. The two units were the 1011th Supply and Service Company and the 842d Quartermaster Company. The 1011th SSC provided logistical support to the Royal Thai Army. The 842d QC operated tanks farms and maintained a 40-mile pipeline that supplied major combat units in northern Vietnam.
Operation Desert Storm / Desert Shield: The 102d ARCOM played a significant role in Operation Desert Storm and Operation Desert Shield. A total of 17 units were mobilized from the command in support of both operations. Twelve of the units were sent to the Middle East, two units went to Europe, and three remained on duty in the United States. In addition, individual augmentees from 42 other units were activated for service during the conflict. Altogether, 1,778 Citizen-Soldiers from the 102d ARCOM served on active duty in support of the operations.
Deactivation: The 102d ARCOM was deactivated in October 1995 following the results of a command and control study conducted by the United States Army Reserve Command. All of its units were realigned to other ARCOMs.
Realignment of the Training Division in the USAR: The 102d Division was reestablished following a reorganization of the United States Army Reserve during an activation ceremony conducted in September 2008 at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. Created as one of three premiere institutional training divisions within the 80th Training Command, the 102d Training Division consisted of 19 units and over 1,200 Soldiers. The 102d Training Division took on the new mission of training Soldiers in the three career management fields of the Engineer Corps, Military Police Corps, and Chemical Corps. The command taught twelve different military occupational specialties across the 48 Continental United States.
Growth and Current Structure: In December 2011, the 102d Training Division began to grow with the realignment of the 97th Brigade (Intermediate Level Education). The increase in structure added four units and 500 Soldiers to the command. The 97th Brigade is the only U.S. Army Reserve asset that teaches officer education. In April 2017, the 102d Training Division saw its mission and structure change again. The command gained a Military Intelligence brigade and relinquished control of the 97th Brigade to the 100th Division. In October of that same year, the 102d Training Division gained a Signal brigade and a Civil Affairs/Psychological Operations brigade. The command’s current structure consists of 40 units and more than 2,200 Soldiers located in 36 different states across the nation.