The Nevada Army National Guard will be converted into a mobile infantry battalion as part of the US Army’s ongoing force restructuring.
The change falls under the Army Transformation Initiative, which reduces the number of Armored Brigade Combat Teams to 13 across the entire force, cutting the National Guard’s share from five to two.
It will affect the 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team, a multi-state unit that includes Nevada’s 1st Squadron, 221st Cavalry.
Officials said the shift is expected to add about 300 personnel but will not significantly alter the unit’s organization.
They noted the decision was partly driven by the strong recruiting base at the Clark County Armory in Las Vegas, where the brigade’s headquarters is located.
“This means we are looking at gaining a battalion along with one combat logistics company,” said Chief Warrant Officer 4 David Bouse, force integration and readiness officer of the Nevada Army National Guard.
“It keeps Nevada relevant and in the forefront of large scale combat operations, specifically for operations in the US Indo-Pacific area of responsibility.”
Tanks to Squad Vehicles
In terms of capability, it is projected that the Nevada Army National Guard will replace its armored cavalry squadron tanks with infantry squad vehicles and related equipment configured for mobile infantry missions.
The nine-passenger vehicles are modeled after the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 under a General Motors contract and are designed for rapid transport by CH-47 Chinook helicopters, emphasizing enhanced mobility and airlift functions over heavy armor in dispersed and fast-moving operations.
Force Modernization, Preserving Heritage
The US Army’s move reflects a wider trend toward lighter, more mobile infantry formations designed for flexibility in modern conflicts, where heavy armor has faced logistical and operational challenges.
Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Prosser, 1st Army’s senior enlisted leader, told a gathering in Reno that the initiative “is not about the equipment, it’s not about the platform; it’s about the concept and structure.”
The Nevada Guard has two years to retrain and reclassify soldiers for infantry duties, while additional efforts will be made to retain the unit’s historical identity, including its “Wild Horse” call sign and cavalry designation, as Nevada continues to operate within the restructured brigade.
