|
RDL Homepage |
Table of Contents |
Document Information |
Download Instructions |
LESSON 5
TRAINING
OVERVIEW
LESSON DESCRIPTION:
This lesson discusses the US Army's integration of environmental considerations into training.
TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE:
ACTION: |
Describe methods to integrate environmental considerations into the training management cycle (TMC). |
CONDITION: |
You will be given all material contained in this lesson. You will work at your own pace and in your own selected environment with no supervision. |
STANDARD: |
You will correctly answer questions on the practice exercise at the end of the lesson. |
REFERENCES: |
The material contained in this lesson was derived from FM 4-04.4 (FM 3-100.4), FM 7-10 (FM 25-101), TC 3-34.489, and TVT 5-56P2. |
INTRODUCTION
The integration of environmental considerations into training is very similar to the integration of safety and force protection issues. In fact, environmental considerations are a critical aspect of both realistic training and force protection. The discussion of battle-focused training highlights the integration of environmental considerations throughout the training cycle.
5-1. Battle-Focused Training. Battle-focused training is a concept used to derive peacetime training requirements from wartime missions and is addressed further in FM 7-10 (FM 25-101), and shown in Figure 5-1. Training is the cornerstone of readiness for the military and focuses on wartime missions. Environmental considerations are less preeminent during combat operations, but that does not mean environmental considerations can be ignored or that they simply "go away." Units must plan for environmental considerations prior to conducting training. This lesson focuses on how environmental considerations fit into the planning cycle and how to identify where specific actions take place.
Figure 5-1. Integrating Environmental Considerations into Unit Planning/Training
a. Assessment. The planning process begins with assessment. In-depth assessment determines a strategy to improve training proficiency on specific weaknesses and to plan sustainment training on demonstrated strengths. Assessment links the evaluation of completed training to the planning of upcoming training. Commanders must assess the unit's internal and overall status of the environmental training program and unit proficiency.
b. Long-Range Planning. At the battalion level, long-range planning starts with unit assessment and is the basis for the long-range calendar. Resources, such as major training areas, ammunition, and fuel, are allocated, and shortfalls are identified. The long-range plan synchronizes supporting units and agencies so that effective training events can be properly executed.
c. Risk Management. Leaders use risk management, review SOPs, and ensure that personnel receive the correct tools to avoid/mitigate environmental damage. Environmental considerations are addressed and methods are developed to overcome problems so that effective training can be accomplished. Items that require an environmental focus during this phase include the following:
Conducting reconnaissance of the training site.
Assessing the environmental risk.
Coordinating with installation environmental staffs.
Reviewing plans and SOPs.
Obtaining clearance and land use permits.
Conducting environmental-skills training.
Requesting special equipment or support.
d. Short-Range Planning. Short-range planning refines the long-range calendar. It defines in greater detail the broad guidance on training events and other activities on the long-range planning calendar and in command training guidance. During short-range planning, leaders review existing procedures, issue specific environmental guidance, update risk assessment matrices and unit SOPs, and train their soldiers on new environmental-protection procedures. Activities that require an environmental focus during this phase include the following:
Briefing the commander and staff.
Conducting reconnaissance of the training site.
Obtaining maps or overlays indicating environmentally sensitive areas.
Coordinating with the environmental-management office to identify recent changes in environmental conditions.
Planning for HM/HW storage and transport.
Reviewing spill prevention measures.
Modifying plans as necessary.
e. Near-Term Planning. Near-term planning defines specific actions required to execute the short-range plan. It is the final phase of planning before the execution of training. During this phase, key leaders inspect equipment and ensure that soldiers perform maintenance and preventive maintenance checks and services (PMCS) before a field exercise. The environmental focus is on the following:
Briefing unit personnel on environmental constraints and issues.
Conducting rehearsals that include environmental considerations.
Conducting final reconnaissance of training sites to confirm environmental conditions prior to training execution.
Checking equipment.
Ensuring that unit SOPs are up-to-date and meet the requirements for the specific training sites.
Checking spill response equipment.
Modifying plans as necessary.
f. Phase Preexecution Checks. Also during this phase, preexecution checks are developed, and the responsibility for them is fixed during the short-range planning phase. Three major environmental considerations are as follows:
Has an environmental-risk assessment been completed and have safety considerations been incorporated?
Have reconnaissance of the training ranges, sites, or facilities been conducted?
Have leaders been briefed on environmental considerations?
g. Preparation for Training Execution. Formal planning for training culminates with the publication of the training schedule. Informal planning and coordination continue until the training is performed. During rehearsals, leaders ensure that all safety and environmental considerations are met.
h. Execution. During operations, leaders ensure that environmental practices and preventive measures are employed.
(1) Precombat checks. Preexecution and precombat checks are key to ensuring that trainers and soldiers are adequately prepared to execute training to standard. Precombat checks are the bridge between preexecution checks and training execution. Leaders ensure the execution of precombat checks by—
Briefing environmental considerations in the OPORD.
Including environmental considerations in the safety checks and briefings.
Verifying completion of precombat (before operations) PMCS completed on vehicles, weapons, communications, and nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) equipment, to include environmental considerations.
Checking and confirming vehicle load plan, and securing of cargo, especially HM.
(2) Presentation of Training. Through the presentation of training, leaders provide soldiers with specific training objectives and evaluation methods to be used. Environmental constraints may alter the conditions under which the task is performed, but should never alter the task standards.
i. Evaluation. The evaluation process is continuous and integral to training management. The AAR process includes environmental performance and should address all environmental considerations listed in the training evaluation plan. The evaluation and AAR should cover the following:
Ensuring environmental accountability.
Ensuring HM/HW accountability.
Including environmental issues in AARs.
Developing environmental lessons learned.
j. Unit Assessment. Leaders use evaluations and other feedback to assess soldier, leader, and unit proficiency. Based on evaluations, commanders adjust priorities and resources as necessary to synchronize all unit functions.
5-2. Environmental-Specific Training and Resources. All personnel require environmental awareness training. It provides basic information on installation and unit environmental practices, leads to safer performance, and establishes an environmental ethic among soldiers. In addition to awareness training, individuals with certain duties and responsibilities require specialized training. Unit leaders address HM/HW training separately from routine environmental-training requirements.
5-3. Summary. It is essential to include environmental considerations early and throughout the training cycle. The integration of environmental considerations is an easy fit that causes no functional change in battle-focused training. Unit commanders are required to implement environmental-specific training to include environmental awareness, spill prevention and response, HM/HW transportation, storage and turn-in procedures, accountability, and management. Incorporating the environmental considerations into training should not change the standard procedures or considerations that a unit and its leaders apply to an operation.
