About this Unit
The 96th Army Reserve Command (96th ARCOM) was established in 1967, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. Its primary mission was to provide command and control over Army Reserve units across several western states, ensuring their training, readiness, and mobilization capabilities. The unit played a critical support role in various national emergencies and military operations, including mobilizations during the Gulf War. In the 1990s, as part of broader Army Reserve restructuring, the 96th ARCOM was reorganized into the 96th Regional Support Command (RSC).
Historical Facts
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Origins in World War II: The 96th Army Reserve Command (ARCOM) traces its lineage back to the 96th Infantry Division, which was activated during World War II and saw combat in the Pacific theater, notably in the Battle of Okinawa.
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Postwar Reorganization: After World War II, the 96th Infantry Division was inactivated but later reconstituted in the Army Reserve as the 96th ARCOM in 1967, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.
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Geographic Area of Responsibility: The 96th ARCOM was responsible for Army Reserve units spread across several western states, including Utah, Idaho, Montana, and parts of Nevada and Wyoming.
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Support for Desert Storm: During Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm (1990-1991), the 96th ARCOM mobilized and deployed numerous Reserve units to support the war effort in the Middle East.
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Distinctive Insignia: The shoulder sleeve insignia of the 96th features a red six-pointed star on a blue background, inherited from the World War II-era 96th Infantry Division, nicknamed the “Deadeye Division.”
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Reorganization in the 1990s: The 96th ARCOM was reorganized into the 96th Regional Support Command (RSC) in 1996 as part of a broader Army Reserve restructuring to improve command and control.
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Training and Readiness: The 96th ARCOM played a crucial role in organizing annual training exercises for Reserve units, enhancing their readiness for mobilization.
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Community Engagement: The command was active in community outreach, supporting local events and fostering relationships between the Army Reserve and civilians in its region.
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Legacy of the “Deadeyes”: Veterans of the original 96th Infantry Division maintained strong ties with the ARCOM, participating in reunions and commemorations well into the 21st century.
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Transformation into 96th Readiness Division: The 96th’s legacy continues today as the 96th Readiness Division, headquartered at Fort Douglas, Utah, supporting Reserve units across a vast western region.
