The FATC and COE: training relevant and ready warriors

FA Journal, July-August, 2004 by Joel J. Canon, Eric Hartunian, Glen D. Renfree, Michael T. Richards, Lloyd K. Smith

Basic combat training (BCT) skills essentially have remained unchanged for the past 40 years, focusing on common Soldier tasks and discipline. These tasks were for Soldiers who fought on a linear battlefield and knew who and where the enemy was.

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The philosophy was to give the Soldier enough information during BCT, advanced individual training (AIT), or one-station unit training (OSUT) to survive upon arrival at his first duty station. The Soldier's first unit would provide additional training in his specific military occupational specialty (MOS) and in how to fight and survive during combat.

This is not true today. Some graduates of BCT/AIT/OSUT are arriving at their first duty assignments in combat zones, fighting terrorists and insurgents in Iraq or Afghanistan. Some others deploy to Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) or Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) within a few weeks of graduating from AIT or OSUT.

Taking into account these new variables and the challenges of the contemporary operating environment (COE), the Army is changing the way we conduct basic and advanced individual training. The Field Artillery Training Center (FATC), Fort Sill, Oklahoma, is one of the first training centers to implement many of these changes--is leading the way.

This article provides an overview of the changes in the FATC's initial entry warrior training and gives the details of two extended field training exercises (FTXs) for BCT and OSUT Soldiers: the forward operating base (FOB) FTX and military operations in urban terrain (MOUT) in the "Strikerville" FTX.

Overview of Initial Entry Training (IET) Warrior Training. The Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) is focusing on what combat skills are required to prepare all Soldiers for the Army's various combat zones. In January 2004, TRADOC assigned an IET Task Force at Fort Knox, Kentucky, to analyze every aspect of IET. The task force examined lessons learned from OEF and OIF and developed recommendations to change the way the Army conducts IET. The FATC is implementing many of the changes to meet the needs of our Army in the COE. Some of the changes in the FATC IET are--

* Soldiers go to the field in their first week of BCT. This experience introduces basic field craft to Soldiers from the beginning. This two-day field problem establishes a tactical mindset in the new Soldiers by introducing them to what "right" looks like in a tactical setting.

* There are no "administrative" moves in IET. Training focuses more on patrols than foot marches. The last two patrols (10 and 15 kilometers, respectively) are embedded in exercises with privates continually reacting to contact. Contact may be with conventional ambushes and snipers, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and civilians on the battlefield. Training in this manner contributes to the mentality that every soldier is a rifleman and sensor.

* Many administrative classes previously taught indoors are now taught in a field environment with more hands-on, rigorous training. In addition, the classes have decreased from battery-to platoon-sized classes.

* Soldiers recite the "Soldier's Creed" before each physical training (PT) session. This reminds them of their purpose and reinforces the "Warrior Ethos" embedded in the creed.

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* The Army has a new PT standardization program designed to prevent injuries and includes total-body exercises that make Soldiers more combat effective. Although the Army is not planning to implement these changes into table of organization and equipment (TOE) units for another year, FATC Soldiers began this program 1 January 2004.

* Weapons "clearing barrels" are now used in each battery area and range complex. This is what Soldiers do in FOBs while deployed. Clearing procedures training in BCT helps reduce the likelihood of Soldiers accidentally discharging their weapons and causing needless injuries.

* M16A2 qualification is in simulated combat conditions in an extended field exercise. Soldiers now qualify in the flak vests they have to wear when deployed. They also conduct "reflexive firing" while moving.

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* FATC BCT/OSUT Soldiers now receive familiarization training on the M2 and MK19. Before 1 January 2004, only MOS 13Bs Cannon Crewmembers received training on these weapons. The M2 and MK19 are the same Soldiers will use on mounted combat patrols when deployed. The first time Soldiers see these weapons should not be in a hostile environment.

* First aid training has expanded to a two-day event, culminating in situational training exercise (STX) lanes in the field. The STX provides more rigor and realism to this critical training.

* Each battery slowly transitions from bivouac sites to tactical patrol bases during IET. During Fill Week, batteries use GP-medium tents for the first FTX. During the following weeks, the batteries go to shelter halves and select more tactical sites. By the last field problem, Soldiers use ponchos to construct improvised sleep shelters. At this point in their training, IET Soldiers are more "comfortable" with being uncomfortable.