Why the Army only has one Security Force Assistance Brigade left

A Security Force Assistance Brigade, or SFAB, is a specialized Army unit that trains and advises foreign militaries. Its purpose is to help allied forces build lasting capabilities while strengthening U.S. military partnerships. SFABs were created for an advise-and-assist mission, inspired by U.S. work with Afghan allies during the Global War on Terror.

Their work can involve professional military education, exercises, equipment training, and advice on military operations. In Mongolia, the 5th SFAB helped create an enduring noncommissioned officer academy. It built the program of instruction and trained instructors who could teach Mongolia’s own soldiers.

The Army originally created six SFABs for partners in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America. Most have since been shuttered during restructuring. The 5th SFAB remains active because it has found work with Pacific allies, supporting the broader U.S. strategy to build alliances and counter Chinese influence.

The Army originally stood up six Security Force Assistance Brigades. They were designed to train and advise allied militaries across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America. The units formed part of the Army’s broader advise-and-assist mission and were inspired by partnerships with Afghan allies.

The number has since fallen sharply. Over the last year, the Army shuttered most of the specialized units. The 5th SFAB, based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington, is the last of the six original brigades still standing. In January, the 1st SFAB became the Army Security Cooperation Group–South.

That change reflects a service-wide restructuring effort. The 1st group now emphasizes the U.S. partnership with Panama rather than operating as an SFAB. The 5th survived because Army leaders in the Pacific gave it continuing priorities and connected its work to regional strategy.

The 5th SFAB survived because it found a clear role in the Pacific. Its commander, Col. Daniel Hodermarsky, said U.S. Army Pacific gave the brigade direct priorities and placed it within the theater’s campaign to prepare for future conditions. That kept the unit relevant while others were eliminated.

Geography also mattered. The brigade is based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, and works with allies across the Pacific. Its projects respond to requests from embassy officials, local military leaders, and Army leadership. Partners seek help with tactics, deployable brigades, long-distance movement, air defense systems, and joint training.

The survival is therefore not presented as an exception based only on the brigade’s performance. Hodermarsky described a combination of geography, attention from the theater Army, and useful assignments. The 5th now supports a wider strategy to strengthen regional alliances and counter Chinese influence.

The 5th SFAB helped Mongolia establish an enduring noncommissioned officer professional military education course. This mattered because the Mongolian army could eventually train its own personnel instead of relying indefinitely on U.S. advisers. Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Millare described the effort as building an NCO corps from the foundation upward.

The brigade first helped Mongolia create the program of instruction. It also helped develop instructors who could teach the course. The SFAB then helped stand up, pilot, and test the program. Once the system was operating effectively, the advisers transitioned responsibility to the 11th Airborne Division.

That handoff expanded the relationship beyond classroom development. The 11th Airborne began helping Mongolia execute missions and is planning exercises with American soldiers in Alaska. The project therefore moved from institution-building to recurring military cooperation, helping make the United States Mongolia’s “partner of choice” in the region.

The Army created SFABs to provide specialized training and advice to foreign militaries. The brigades were part of the Army’s advise-and-assist mission and were inspired by U.S. partnerships with Afghan allies during the Global War on Terror. Six units were assigned to work with partners across several regions.

Problems appeared almost immediately. The 2017 launch drew backlash over a proposal that the brigades wear berets. Critics also argued that their mission crossed into territory traditionally associated with Special Forces. These concerns questioned both the units’ identity and their place within the Army.

After the brigades began operating, more controversies followed. The article reports allegations of misconduct during advisory missions overseas and high-profile firings at home. The Army later began shutting down most SFABs in a service-wide restructuring. Some personnel criticized that decision, warning that losing alliance-building units could harm preparations for future conflicts with China or Russia.

Pacific allies are trying to improve their ability to operate together. Unlike Europe’s long-standing NATO framework, the Pacific has many bilateral and trilateral partnerships across island chains. Partners therefore need practical ways to coordinate forces that do not all share the same doctrine, procedures, or alliance structure.

Their requests include advice on building deployable brigades and moving them hundreds of miles across countries. Allies also seek subject matter exchanges with U.S. units that operate air defense systems. The Philippines and Thailand, for example, field U.S. air defense equipment and want to train with experienced American units.

These exchanges build common habits through direct practice. U.S. soldiers share operational experience, while partner forces train alongside them. The goal is better coordination when separate militaries must act together. The 5th SFAB helps connect those requests with Army divisions, exercises, and other regional partnerships.

Training and advising strengthen alliances by creating practical cooperation, not just political ties. Partner militaries gain institutions, skills, and shared experience with U.S. forces. The United States gains stronger relationships and a clearer understanding of what allies need. The Army describes this work as part of a broader effort to build alliances against Chinese influence.

Mongolia provides a concrete example. The 5th SFAB helped build an NCO academy by creating its instruction, developing instructors, and testing the course. Mongolia could then train its own personnel. The work continued through the 11th Airborne Division, which is planning exercises with Mongolian soldiers in Alaska.

Similar partnerships could improve cooperation in a region with many bilateral and trilateral links rather than one common alliance system. Allies are also asking about Russia-Ukraine war tactics, deployable brigades, and air defense. These exchanges can prepare forces to operate together amid competition involving China or Russia.