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| 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division | |
|---|---|
| Unit name | 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division |
| Dates | Activated 1957–present (with redesignations) |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Type | Brigade combat team |
| Role | Light infantry / Stryker operations (varied) |
| Size | Brigade |
| Command structure | 25th Infantry Division |
| Garrison | Schofield Barracks, Hawaii (primary) |
| Nickname | Lightning/Arrowhead (varied) |
| Battles | Korean War (elements), Vietnam War, Iraq War, War in Afghanistan, Pacific Rotational deployments |
3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division
3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division is a combined-arms brigade combat team of the United States Army assigned to the 25th Infantry Division, headquartered at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. Over its lineage the brigade has been organized, redesignated, and deployed in support of operations related to the Korean War, Vietnam War, Iraq War, and the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), while participating in regional partnerships across the Indo-Pacific such as exercises with Australia, Japan, and Republic of Korea. The brigade's history connects to enduring institutions like U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, United States Pacific Command, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and interservice training with United States Army Pacific and U.S. Army Pacific Command components.
The brigade traces its roots to post‑World War II reorganizations of the 25th Infantry Division and the U.S. Army's 1957 combat arms reorganization under the Pentomic and later ROAD structures, producing brigade‑sized formations that served during the Vietnam War alongside formations of the Americal Division and units such as the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Elements of the brigade saw combat in major campaigns like the Tet Offensive and counterinsurgency operations around Cu Chi and the Central Highlands. During the post‑Vietnam drawdown the brigade experienced inactivation, reflagging, and reactivation events linked to the broader realignment under FORSCOM and the Army's modular transformation, later forming a brigade combat team that deployed to Iraq in support of operations including Operation Iraqi Freedom and to Afghanistan under Operation Enduring Freedom. In the 21st century the brigade has conducted theater security cooperation with partners such as the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, Royal Australian Army, and Republic of Korea Army as part of Pacific Pathways and similar regional initiatives.
As a brigade combat team the unit comprises maneuver, fires, sustainment, intelligence, reconnaissance, and engineer elements consistent with Army modular design, aligning with subordinate units like infantry battalions, a cavalry squadron, a field artillery battalion, a brigade engineer battalion, and a brigade support battalion. Historically subordinate organizations have included battalions from regiments such as the 14th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Regiment, and 21st Infantry Regiment, along with cavalry squadrons drawing lineage from the 4th Cavalry Regiment and attached artillery from the 11th Field Artillery Regiment. The brigade integrates staffs and sections influenced by doctrine from U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, coordination with United States Army Pacific, and liaison with joint partners including United States Marine Corps units during amphibious and expeditionary operations.
The brigade's operational record spans major Cold War and post‑Cold War conflicts. In the Vietnam War era the brigade's antecedent elements fought in campaigns recognized by links to operations like Operation Wheeler/Wallowa and engagements near Cu Chi, interacting with formations such as the 101st Airborne Division and the 1st Infantry Division. During the Iraq deployments the brigade executed counterinsurgency, stability, and partnered security operations in provinces where it cooperated with Iraqi Security Forces and multinational contingents, contributing to operations tied to Operation New Dawn and Operation Phantom Phoenix‑era transitions. In Afghanistan the brigade conducted village stability operations, counterinsurgency advising, and partnered missions with the Afghan National Army and NATO forces during rotations. The brigade has also performed humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in the Pacific, participating in responses alongside the U.S. Agency for International Development and regional militaries, and has supported multinational exercises such as RIMPAC and bilateral drills with Japan Self-Defense Forces and Australian Defence Force elements.
Throughout its lineage the brigade and its subordinate units have earned unit awards, campaign streamers, and citations reflecting service in campaigns like the Tet Offensive, Counteroffensive phases, and operations in Southwest Asia and Iraq. Decorations include awards analogous to the Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, and campaign credits for service in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan, as represented by streamers on the 25th Infantry Division colors. Individual soldiers from the brigade have been recognized with decorations such as the Silver Star, Bronze Star Medal, and Purple Heart for actions in combat zones where the brigade served.
Commanders associated with brigade lineage have included senior leaders who later held significant commands in institutions like United States Army Pacific and U.S. Army Forces Command, and officers who advanced to general officer ranks. Notable personnel have come from interservice exchanges with the United States Marine Corps and multinational partner officers from Japan and Australia during combined exercises. Several brigade veterans have been publicly recognized for leadership during high‑intensity and stability operations and have contributed to doctrinal development in organizations such as TRADOC and operational lessons captured by Combat Studies Institute analysts.
Equipment assigned across eras has ranged from light infantry small arms like the M16 rifle and M4 carbine to crew‑served systems, indirect fires including the M777 howitzer and previous tube artillery systems of the Field Artillery Branch, reconnaissance platforms including variants of the Stryker and armored reconnaissance vehicles from the Armor Branch, and sustainment assets such as the M88 Recovery Vehicle and logistical vehicles like the HMMWV and Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles. The brigade's insignia follows the division's iconography with a distinctive staff and unit flash, tied to the 25th Infantry Division (Light) "Tropic Lightning" heritage, incorporating heraldic elements authorized by the Institute of Heraldry and worn on uniforms and guidons.