DarkDot ATP 4-90 — Brigade Support Battalion
Overview
ATP 4-90 defines the organization, capabilities, and employment of the Brigade Support Battalion (BSB) — the unit responsible for sustaining the brigade combat team (BCT) through all classes of supply, maintenance, medical treatment, and transportation.
BSB Organization
The BSB consists of four primary companies and a headquarters:
| Element | Function |
|---|---|
| Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) | Command, control, and BSB-level coordination |
| Distribution Company | Class I, III, V delivery; convoy operations; LOGPAC execution |
| Field Maintenance Company (FMC) | Authorized stockage list, maintenance support, recovery operations |
| Brigade Support Medical Company (BSMC) | Role 2 medical care, blood management, ground MEDEVAC coordination |
The Sustainment Framework
ATP 4-90 introduces the sustainment warfighting function framework:
- Logistics: Supply, maintenance, transportation, field services, acquisition
- Personnel services: HR support, financial management, legal
- Health service support: Medical treatment and evacuation
These three elements run simultaneously and are synchronized by the S4 and the BSB commander.
Supply Chain Management
The BSB manages push and pull logistics for the BCT:
Push logistics: Supplies are pushed to units on a schedule based on consumption rates. Standard LOGPAC timing is set by the BCT S4 and executed by the Distribution Company.
Pull logistics: Units submit requests based on actual consumption (ACE report drives class V requests; fuel status reports drive class III requests). The BSB fills requests at the Combat Trains Command Post (CTCP).
Supply Points
| Location | Description |
|---|---|
| Combat Trains CP (CTCP) | Forward logistics node; closest to the fight |
| Field Trains CP (FTCP) | Main logistics node; connects to BSB main |
| BSB Support Area | Brigade-level sustainment base |
Maintenance Support
The FMC provides three levels of maintenance support:
- Operator maintenance (Level 1): PMCS performed by the vehicle crew
- Field maintenance (Level 2): Contact teams from the FMC repair in place or at the CTCP
- Sustainment maintenance: Major repairs evacuated to division or corps
Deadline management — tracking non-mission-capable (NMC) equipment — is reported daily and drives recovery and repair priorities.
Medical Evacuation
The BSMC provides Role 2 medical care:
- Role 1: Platoon-level CLS/medic at point of injury
- Role 2 (BSMC): Damage control surgery, blood, advanced trauma
- Role 3: Theater hospital capability
MEDEVAC requests use the 9-Line format. Ground MEDEVAC assets are managed by the BSMC; rotary-wing MEDEVAC is coordinated through the brigade aviation element.
Relevance to Dark Dot
For brigade-level operations in Dark Dot, model the sustainment layer by designating the CTCP and FTCP as objectives on the terrain plan. Assign the BSB as a team and use objectives to track LOGPAC timing, medical assets, and supply point locations. MSR and ASR routes link the sustainment layer to maneuver elements.