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7-1. Introduction

VI training prepares soldiers and Marines to provide COMCAM support to commanders in all BOSs. VI training acknowledges that the maneuver commander controls and orchestrates the basic combat, combat support, and combat service support systems. The goal of combat-level training is to achieve combat-level standards. Leaders demand realism in training within the bounds of safety. They must seize every opportunity to move soldiers and Marines out of the classroom and into the field.

7-2.Training Requirements

a. Commanders will identify mission essential tasks to accomplish the organization's wartime mission. VI units attached to an organization must be habitually trained to support the organization's mission essential task list (METL).

b. VI mission essential tasks provided through the VI structure are trained concurrently.

(1) Active Component (AC). Once VI soldiers complete advanced individual training (AIT), sustainment training will be provided through the organization's training program to guarantee COMCAM support to the METL.

(2) Reserve Components (RC). Fulfilling training requirements for the RC is more challenging than for the AC. Training time and training locations are limited. VI RC units should plan and prepare for integration upon activation.

7-3. VI Training

a. The commanding general, USASC&FG, directs and supervises all service school training of VI military occupational specialties. For the Marines, this is the responsibility of the commanding general at MCCDC.

b. Resident training in support of the VI mission includes-

• Formal AIT at Lowry Technical Training Center, Lowry AFB, Colorado 80230-5000. The US Air Force provides a joint training environment as host service under the Interservice Training Review Organization (ITRO).

• The Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course (BNCOC) and the Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course (ANCOC). These courses enable the soldiers to develop advanced leadership skills, exercise COMCAM team management skills, and receive advanced technical VI training. Training is collocated at Lowry AFB, Colorado.

• The Signal Officer Basic Course (SOBC) and the Signal Officer Advanced Course (SOAC). These courses provide training on the use of VI in the TSC(A). Training is conducted at USASC&FG, Fort Gordon, Georgia 30905-5000.

• Specialized training which is unprogrammed training required to fulfill a specific unit's mission. Certain units require VI soldiers to be airborne qualified. The unit commander is responsible for identifying and programming training. Requirements must be documented on unit TOE or tables of distribution and allowances (TDA).

c. Nonresident training includes Army Correspondence Course Program (ACCP) subcourses supporting VI training. These subcourses are available from the Institute for Professional Development, Newport News, Virginia. Specific information of courses offered is contained in DA Pam 351-20.

d. Formal school training is supplemented by on-the-job training (OJT) to improve individual proficiency and to develop teamwork. OJT and cross training of VI soldiers is a command responsibility. Cross training provides for continuity throughout the organization.

7-4.Unit Training

a. Leaders in VI units are responsible for planning training that guarantees a high standard of war-time proficiency. This is best done by using the hands-on approach.

b. Training must be intellectually and physically challenging to both excite and motivate soldiers and leaders.

c. Sustainment training must provide training in two areas.

• COMCAM documentation-COMCAM training in support of the battlefield documentation mission. Training must emphasize image acquisition, processing, reproducing, and distributing in an operational tactical environment.

• Multiechelon training. To effectively use available time and resources, commanders must simultaneously train individuals, leaders, and units at each echelon in the organization during training events. Using this technique trains and sustains skills in a diverse number of mission essential tasks within limited periods of training time.

d. Maintenance is vital to VI and must be a part of the training program. Soldiers, Marines, and their leaders are responsible for maintaining all assigned equipment in a high state of readiness in support of training or combat employment.