Training Brigades

Training Brigades are Active component organizations charged with providing one-stop training for TRADOC branch schools. The principal objective of the military's training programs is to produce an effective, efficient, and ready force. In order to achieve this objective, the training programs must, first and foremost, emphasize and instill discipline. The initial entry training (IET) programs' other primary objectives are to produce self-confident, physically fit, and technically competent graduates who are trained in the skills of teamwork necessary for the success of a unit's mission. Tough mental and physical training are essential for achieving these objectives.

The training cadre is the single most important determinant of the effectiveness of recruit training. The role played by the Army's drill sergeants is unique in terms of its influence and control. The training cadre, whose responsibilities in basic training include teaching discipline, military procedures, values, physical training, and providing support and assistance to the recruit, defines the recruit's training experience. Their behavior and attitudes greatly influence the behavior and attitudes of the recruits. These training instructors also play a large role in defining the quality of every recruit's performance throughout his or her military career. In advanced training, while the role of the training cadre is less central than in basic training, training instructors still bear the primary responsibility for maintaining standards of discipline and military bearing.

One-Station Unit Training (OSUT)

The Army's One Station Unit Training combines basic training and advanced training under the same drill sergeant. The recruits stay assigned to the same training unit throughout both phases and their drill sergeants do not change. OSUT Training is combined Basic Combat Training and the training for the MOS. Basic Training for all Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) in the Army lasts nine weeks. Infantry OSUT lasts from 14 to 16 weeks, depending on Infantry MOS. Soldiers stay with the same class throughout Infantry training. Unlike many other MOSs, Soldiers do not have to move to another installation after BT to complete AIT. OSUT fosters unit cohesion by keeping soldiers together for longer periods of time. It saves the Army money by not moving soldiers from one installation to another, and it allows the soldiers to make lasting friendships through shared experiences.

Initial Entry Training (IET)

First and foremost, unlike any other training or educational program in civilian society, the principal objective of military basic training is instilling discipline. Good order and discipline are the bedrock of an effective and ready military force. Initial entry training, across the services, also seeks to produce self-confident, physically fit, and technically competent graduates who are trained in the skills of teamwork necessary for the success of a unit's mission.

Enlisted Initial Entry Training (IET) consists of Basic Combat Training (BCT), One Station Unit Training (OSUT), Advanced Individual Training (AIT), and any other formal Army training received prior to the awarding of an initial military occupational specialty (MOS) (e.g., English as a Second Language (ESL) Course).

The objective of IET is to provide the Army with military occupational specialty qualified (MOSQ) soldiers. An IET soldier is MOSQ upon successful completion of all BCT and AIT/OSUT requirements. The MOSQ soldier can perform, to standard, the institutionally taught critical Skill Level 1 common, and MOS-specific tasks the MOS proponent identified. The MOSQ soldier also demonstrates a willingness to live by the Army's core values, and has the ability to work effectively as a team member under stressful conditions. The MOSQ soldier is prepared to immediately contribute to the successful accomplishment of their first unit's mission, and can survive and operate effectively in combat.

The U.S. Army's motivated and professional IET cadre can train almost anyone with the mental and physical capacity to complete IET. Each cadre member accepts responsibility for providing a positive environment in which new soldiers have every opportunity to succeed. Cadre train their soldiers by building on, and affirming their strengths, and shoring up their weaknesses. Cadre members coach, mentor, and assist soldiers in meeting the standards through performance counseling and phased goal setting. Discharging soldiers because they fail to meet certain standards, when additional coaching, teaching, and mentoring could bring them up to par, is not in keeping with the intent of the investment strategy. The investment strategy raises the individual to the standard; it does not lower the standard for the individual.

Initial Entry Training (IET) is focused on TRADOC's mission of providing our Army with basically trained, motivated, disciplined, physically fit soldiers who espouse the Army seven core values and are focused on teamwork. The transformation of volunteers into soldiers is accomplished during a 5-phased soldierization program that begins with a soldier's arrival at the reception battalion (RECBN), and ends with the awarding of a MOS upon completion of IET. Leaders demand that IET soldiers achieve the Army standard during high quality, rigorous training. They must also demand that every IET soldier is treated with the dignity and respect entitled all soldiers.

Initial Entry Training transforms volunteers into soldiers, and delivers these quality soldiers to the operational force through a comprehensive, 5-phased soldierization program. Phases and associated goals provide intermediate objectives that give common direction and serve as milestones during IET. The training cadre informs IET soldiers of the goals and standards for each phase of training. Movement from each phase is viewed as a "gate" for each soldier. The training cadre evaluates each soldier's performance by the standards for each phase before advancing to the next phase.

The first three phases of IET are associated with Basic Combat Training [BCT] and the BCT portion of OSUT. The last two phases are associated with AIT and the MOS training portion of OSUT. In OSUT courses, combine Phases III and IV. This will generally depend on how early in the course MOS training begins, and whether basic skills testing is conducted at mid-cycle, or end-of-cycle. The senior IET commander can adjust the established phase length to ensure soldiers are trained to the course standards.

Phase I is designated as the "Red" phase, and encompasses weeks 1-3 of IET. An environment of total control, where active, involved, positive leaders begin transforming volunteers into soldiers, characterizes this phase. Training during this phase is focused on immersion in the Army's core values, traditions, and ethics; the development of individual basic combat skills; the development of teamwork; and physical fitness training. The goals for soldiers in Phase I include, but are not limited to:

Phase II is designated as the "White" phase. This phase encompasses weeks 4-6 of IET, and is centered on the development of basic combat skills, with special emphasis on weapon proficiency and physical fitness training. Skill development, self-discipline, and team building characterize Phase II, along with a lessening of control commensurate with demonstrated performance and responsibility. Soldiers receive additional instruction on Army Values, ethics, history, and traditions.

Phase III is designated as the "Blue" phase. This is the last phase of BCT and encompasses weeks 7-9 of IET. This phase concentrates on individual tactical training, increased soldier leadership, increased self-discipline, and the IET soldier's understanding of the importance and demonstration of teamwork. This phase culminates with the application of all skills learned in BCT during a 72-hour FTX. This exercise is designed to stress IET soldiers physically and mentally, and requires each soldier to demonstrate their proficiency of basic combat skills in a stressful tactical field environment, while operating as part of a team. In BCT, a "rite of passage" ceremony commemorates successful demonstration of all Phase III skills, marking the transformation from volunteer to soldier. In OSUT, transition from Phase III to Phase IV is marked with an appropriate ceremony.

In June 1998 Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen approved the plans of the military Services to improve initial entry training programs and policies. Those plans detail how each Service has implemented or will be implementing changes in initial entry training recommended in December by the Federal Advisory Committee on Gender-Integrated Training and Related Issues (also known as the Kassebaum Baker panel). The Services identified measures, including a system of awards and incentives, to emphasize the value of assignment as a basic trainer and to counter any notion that a training assignment is detrimental to a military career. The Services increased training rigor through toughened physical fitness standards and better physical conditioning and through more robust and challenging training exercises. Regarding housing of recruits during basic training, the Services satisfied a goal of the Kassebaum Baker panel and Secretary Cohen's intent with plans that, when fully implemented, provide for the safety, security, privacy and appropriate supervision of recruits in barracks.The Army, with a relatively modest funding outlay for construction, will provide totally separate and secure sleeping areas and latrines for men and women recruits but will not necessarily billet men and women on separate floors.

Soldiers report to initial entry training (IET) ranging widely in their levels of physical fitness. Because of this, there are special considerations when designing a physical training program for IET soldiers. Physical training involves safely training and challenging all soldiers while improving their fitness level to meet required standards. The mission of physical training in IET is twofold: to safely train soldiers to meet the graduation requirements of each course and to prepare soldiers to meet the physical demands of their future assignments.

Because each IET school is somewhat different, commanders must examine the graduation requirements for the course and establish appropriate fitness objectives. They can then design a program that attains these objectives. Commanders of initial entry training should look beyond the graduation requirements of their own training course to ensure that their soldiers are prepared for the physical challenges of their future assignments. This means developing safe training programs which will produce the maximum physical improvement possible.

One road march should be conducted weekly with the difficulty of the marches progressing gradually throughout IET. In the first two weeks of IET, up to 5 kilometers with light loads. Loads should be restricted to the standard LCE, kevlar helmet, and weapon. Bones, ligaments, and tendons respond slowly to training and may be injured if the load and/or duration are increased too quickly. After the initial adaptations in the early weeks of IET, soldiers can be expected to carry progressively heavier loads including a rucksack. By he start of the fourth week, they should be accustomed to marching in boots, and their feet should be less prone to blistering. By the sixth week, the load may be increased to 40 pounds including personal clothing and equipment. At no time during IET or one-station unit training (OSUT) should loads exceed 40 pounds.

Advanced Individual Training (AIT)

Phases IV and V of the soldierization program occur in AIT and OSUT. Lessening of control and increased emphasis on personal responsibility and accountability characterize these phases. Initial entry soldiers also receive reinforcement training on Army Values and teamwork, and an introduction to the history, heritage, and traditions of their specialty branch. This lessening of control, expansion of privileges, and focus on MOS skills are all part of the evolutionary process marking the transformation from volunteer to soldier.

Phase IV begins at the start of the 10th week and continues to the end of the 13th week. Reduced supervision by drill sergeants, reinforcement training on common skills, values, and traditions taught in BCT, and increased emphasis on MOS tasks characterizes this phase. Upon arrival at the AIT unit, IET soldiers starting AIT will receive initial counseling. This session is used to establish goals consistent with the soldier's MOS training requirements, as prescribed in the appropriate POI and this regulation.

Phase V begins at the start of the 14th week and continues until completion of IET, or the 20th week of training. Reinforcement training on common skills, training and evaluation of MOS skills, a leadership environment that simulates the environment in an operational unit, and a culminating tactical FTX that integrates common and MOS tasks characterizes this phase. This exercise is designed to reinforce the basic combat skills learned in BCT, and their application to the soldier in the execution of MOS-related duties in a tactical field environment.

Phase V+ begins at week 21 and continues through completion. Phase V+ soldiers are billeted separately from other IET soldiers and, at the commanders' discretion, privileges will approximate those held by permanent party soldiers. At TRADOC subordinate commands, where separation from other IET soldiers is not possible, use of tobacco and alcohol is restricted. Graduates of IET that attend follow-on training prior to arriving at the gaining unit are billeted separately from other IET soldiers, if possible. Graduates of DLIFLC will retain their Phase V+ privileges