brigadecentric

Brigadecentric, also known as brigade-centric warfare, is a doctrinal concept in modern military organization and operations that prioritizes brigades as the primary maneuver and decision-making units within a larger joint force. In a brigade-centric construct, brigades—often reinforced with attached battalions, cross-functional teams, and embedded support elements—are designed to operate with a high degree of autonomy, empowered to execute complex missions without awaiting division-level direction. The approach emphasizes modular, multi-domain combined-arms brigades and rapid, decentralized decision-making enabled by networked sensors, surveillance, and fires.

Key characteristics include mission command at brigade level; organic and attached capabilities across infantry, armor, artillery, engineers, aviation, and sustainment; robust communications and shared situational awareness across the brigade; and the use of modular, interchangeable teams to tailor forces for specific tasks. The doctrine seeks to shorten the decision cycle, improve tempo, and maintain battlefield adaptability in dynamic or contested environments.

Origins of the concept trace to late 20th-century theories of maneuver warfare and network-centric warfare, and it has influenced reforms in several armies, notably in the adoption of modular brigade combat teams and increased autonomy for brigade headquarters. It remains a topic of debate, with supporters arguing that brigade-level initiative strengthens agility and resilience, while critics warn of potential command-and-control bottlenecks, logistic strain, and the risk of overburdening brigades with responsibilities traditionally managed at higher echelons.

See also: brigade combat team, mission command, network-centric warfare, combined arms.