The Maneuver Shooter Program: multiplying the efficiency of indirect fires

FA Journal, May-August, 2002 by Sean T. Yeterian, Richard B. Dauz

The lieutenant was used to being this close to his adversaries, but never this vulnerable. The desert's topography offered no security. He and his soldiers were as easily visible to .the three BMPs as they were to him. One glance from the BMPs in the wrong direction, and there was sure to be trouble.

The lieutenant knew it was time to draw upon his call-for-fire (CFF) training. As a new Bradley Commander, he had not yet been exposed to the repetitive CFF training that his other comrades had.

Being on the line looking directly at the foe while your crew hurriedly tried to remount a thrown track was not "part of the plan," at least not his plan. Now, with nowhere to run and the lives of his soldiers depending on the actions of the next several moments, the lieutenant felt the sting of responsibility and overwhelming pressure.

To his relief, the fire support officer (FSO) answered him on the first call. To his horror, the enemy seemed to note their presence and began closing the 2000-meter gap between them. Now more desperate than ever, the lieutenant hurried his data, trying to estimate an accurate grid coordinate for the moving BMPs. He reported his information and continued the drill.

Throughout this desperate and sometimes frantic event, he never considered reporting the Bradley's location. It seemed unimportant at the time. The only thing that mattered was getting rid of the immediate threat.

The fire mission was executed, and the round landed short. The radio went silent, and no effects were reported.

History's battlefields are littered with incidents of fratricide. Too often these incidents can be attributed to a lack of understanding of the battlefield systems being used. The delivery of fires, be it from artillery, naval gunfire or close air support (CAS), is among the leading culprits of our darkest moments in combat.

The Maneuver Shooter Program is a tool meant to weaken the grip of ignorance. Its purpose is to ensure fires are not only safer for the troops on the line, but also a more lethal and effective force multiplier.

This article discusses the Maneuver Shooter Program, including its training strategy for teaching maneuver soldiers CEF procedures and giving them an appreciation of the requirements for and time it takes to clear fires.

The Training Strategy. Simply put, the Maneuver Shooter Program is a training plan to educate key leaders in frontline positions. The foundation of the program is based on CFF skills.

Forward observers (FOs) are positioned on the battlefield to gain as much insight into the enemy situation as possible; however, it is unrealistic to expect a "total" realization of battlefield activity with the limited numbers of FAFOs. The Maneuver Shooter Program is based on the premise that the more trained CFF eyes we have on the battlefield, the more effective our combat power will be.

The CFF fundamentals are taught in three phases: classroom instruction, training on the ground unit armory device full-crew interactive simulation trainer (GUARDFIST) and live-fire exercises. The target audience for each of these phases, at a minimum, is the maneuver battalion and company commanders, scouts, platoon leaders, platoon sergeants and track commanders. Phases I and II should be conducted at least semiannually.

The content of the Maneuver Shooter Program is aimed at the most basic CFF procedures. As units gain proficiency in those tasks, the program should introduce them to more complicated scenarios requiring greater understanding of the fire support system. The additional training includes moving target drills, fire support doctrine, integrating essential fire support tasks (EFSTs) into troop leading procedures (TLPs), etc.

The frequency of the Maneuver Shooter Program phases and the lengths of training in each phase are recommendations for sustainment training after the program has been established and maneuver units trained. The phases for units in the infantile stages of training may need to be increased in frequency and length.

Phase I -- Classroom Instruction. This phase is an eight-hour block of instruction covering the basic principles and techniques of effective CFF procedures. The best environment to perform this class would be in a GUARDFIST. However, the absence of this system should not prevent commanders from executing this essential training. The primary trainers should be the company fire support NCO (FSNCO) and FSO.

Phase II -- GUARDFIST. In this phase, the student applies the knowledge gained in Phase I. Each leader is involved in a one-day period of hands-on CFF training using GUARDFIST. The focus is on accurate target location, correct CFF procedures and correct adjustment procedures. The FSNCO should be the primary trainer for this phase. Continual feedback from trainer to student is key to the success of this training.

Phase III -- Live Fire. This phase is executed during scheduled Field Artillery and mortar live-fire events. It is "Phase II" live training in a real environment. During this drill, potential maneuver shooters execute their CFF drills and can see the effects of indirect fire. Battalions should take advantage of observation points (OPs) located close to the impact area to observe close-in fires (up to 200 meters) and their effects.