Origins and Cold War Service
The 360th Civil Affairs Brigade traces its lineage to the U.S. Army’s post–World War II development of specialized Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations units. Originally constituted as a reserve component organization, the brigade was reorganized and activated in 1961 during the Cold War as the Army expanded its ability to conduct stability and support operations alongside conventional combat forces. Civil Affairs units were tasked with bridging the gap between military forces and civilian populations, overseeing governance, humanitarian assistance, and the restoration of civil order in conflict zones.
Post–Vietnam and Modern Development
Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, the 360th Civil Affairs Brigade supported training, readiness, and contingency planning across multiple theaters. As part of the U.S. Army Reserve Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) (USACAPOC(A)), the brigade developed capabilities in governance, rule of law, infrastructure, economics, and public health. During this period, its soldiers—largely Army Reservists with civilian expertise—were frequently mobilized for exercises and operations supporting U.S. Army Europe, U.S. Southern Command, and other regional combatant commands.
Global War on Terror and Recent Operations
Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, the 360th Civil Affairs Brigade became heavily engaged in the Global War on Terror, deploying soldiers to Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Horn of Africa. In these theaters, the brigade’s personnel conducted missions ranging from supporting local governance and rebuilding infrastructure to facilitating humanitarian aid and fostering relationships between coalition forces and civilian populations. Units from the 360th worked closely with special operations forces as well as conventional brigades, often serving as the critical link between military objectives and civilian needs.
Today, headquartered at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, the 360th Civil Affairs Brigade commands multiple subordinate Civil Affairs battalions. It remains an essential component of the Army Reserve’s civil-military operations capability, prepared to deploy worldwide in support of both combat and humanitarian missions. With a history spanning over six decades, the brigade embodies the Army’s recognition that modern military success depends not only on combat power, but also on the ability to stabilize and support societies affected by conflict.