CHAPTER
8 Unit
Trainup
Unit Trainup
by
MAJ Thomas Roth, Center for Army Lessons Learned
In August 1998, a battalion of engineers deployed to the National Training Center (NTC) to participate in Rotation No. 98-10 with an infantry division brigade. Engineers always deploy to NTC, but in this particular case, an M2 Bradley-equipped company augmented the engineer battalion. For this particular engineer unit, Rotation 98-10 was the capstone event of a trainup that began back in February 1998 when they drew nine Bradleys--dubbed the Engineer-Bradley Fighting Vehicle (E-BFV)--from a National Guard Armored Division.
The introduction of the E-BFV to the combat engineer battalion brought significant challenges for the battalion leaders.
- Battle drills, training plans, service support and other techniques associated with the M113 engineer force had to be re-evaluated and modified.
- Crews had to be trained and qualified on all aspects of the E-BFV. This implied qualification on >Bradley gunnery tables and the associated intermediate tables leading to a gunnery qualification.
- The transition from M113 engineer force to an armored engineer force required leaders to look at the tactical employment of combat engineers on the battlefield - particularly in the Force XXI context. With the reduction of one company in a maneuver battalion, the Bradley-equipped engineer company brings significant direct fire "punch" to the supported battalion.
Given these issues to deal with, the infantry division engineer brigade (DIVENG) planned and executed an intensive training plan to get their engineer company combat ready. The company training leading up to the NTC rotation consisted of the following major events:
I. New Equipment Training (NET):
The Bradley NET Team conducted a 26-day Bradley NET for the engineer company. They executed the training in two phases:
PHASE I - 18 days
- Driver training and licensing.
- Maintenance training.
- Turret operation training.
- Gunnery skills training with the Unit Conduct of Fire Training (UCOFT).
- MILES gunnery training.
Lessons:
- E-BFV-equipped engineer battalions require master gunners at the company and battalion levels to provide expertise and to assist in the planning, preparation and execution of Bradley gunnery.
- Engineer units require MILES II-certified noncommissioned officers.
- E-BFV-equipped engineer battalions require one dedicated UCOFT for each battalion.
- Prior to the NET, engineers need to acquire inert 25mm rounds and other specific equipment (cleaning kits, replacement parts) for the 25mm gun.
- Coordinate for gun stands for the company to conduct weapons training and to pull maintenance on the 25mm gun. If unavailable, gun stands can be fabricated.
PHASE II - 8 days
Phase II of Bradley NET consisted of training and qualification on level II gunnery tables in accordance with FM 23-1, Bradley Fighting Vehicle Gunnery. Specifically, the engineer company executed practice tables V, VI, VII and qualified on Table VIII. Engineer E-BFV crews did not qualify on the TOW system, nor did they fire Bradley Tables XI (Platoon Practice) and XII (Platoon Qualification). Prior to Table V, each crew completed Bradley Gunnery Skills Testing (BGST) and UCOFT refresher training.
Lessons:
- Engineers do not need to modify gunnery tables V, VI, VII or VIII outlined in FM 23-1. Tables reflect the likely engagements engineers will encounter on the battlefield.
- Combat engineer soldiers quickly adapted to the E-BFV. All Bradley engineer crews qualified on their first attempt.
- Engineer units require FM 23-1, Bradley Fighting Vehicle Gunnery, to conduct gunnery. This manual can be downloaded from the internet by accessing the Army Doctrine and Training Digital Library (ADTDL). This web site can be accessed through the Army Home Page or the CALL Home Page http://call.army.mil/call/homepage/trngdoc.htm). To download FM 23-1, the requester must first register with ADTDL.
- Anticipate and coordinate for external support, training areas, ranges and ammunition requirements early.
- Position at least one UCOFT at the range for crews to practice gunnery drills.
- Engineer units do not have authorization for Bradley turret mechanics (MOS 45N) and must request turret mechanic support early. Additionally, engineer units do not maintain Bradley repair parts.
- Engineers lack experience running Bradley ranges. Request Bradley NET Team support the initial unit gunnery by providing the Bradley Crew Evaluators.
- Infantry Table XII in accordance with FM 23-1 does not sufficiently address engineer-specific tasks.
- To train engineer platoon operations, engineers need to develop a Table XII gunnery that maintains applicable attack and defend combat drills in ARTEP 7-7J-DRILL while integrating combat engineer requirements. Specifically, an engineer Table XII allows for breaching drills and countermobility drills from ARTEP 5-145-DRILL. (See the proposed "Engineer BFV Table XII Qualification" course of action.)
II. Company Situational Training ( STX) Lanes:
After completing NET, the Engineer Battalion participated in company STX lanes with the armor battalion it would support at the NTC. The engineer company provided an E-BFV platoon to support both the Company Defense Lane and the Company Attack Lane.
During the defense lane, the engineer platoon executed engagement area development and obstacle emplacement in support of the maneuver company. On several lane iterations, the platoon had Volcano available to develop the engagement area.
Lessons:
- Obstacle Emplacement: The reduction of the engineer platoon from three squads to two squads significantly reduced the quantity of conventional obstacles that the engineers could build.
- Class IV/V Points: Because of the demand for engineer expertise for obstacle emplacement, the maneuver unit provided the soldiers for the class IV/V points and for mine dumps. The engineer platoon provided one soldier to supervise the breakdown of materials into configured packages.
- Command Support Relationship: The command support relationship must be clearly defined and understood by the supported unit and the engineer platoon. In several cases, the maneuver commander assigned the E-BFV platoon a battle position to defend once the obstacles had been completed. In the context of battalion-level operations, company STX lanes distort engineer mission requirements. During battalion-level defensive operations, engineer platoons provide countermobility support throughout the depth of the battalion battle space.
- Volcano/MOPMS: Because of the reduced number of Sappers to build conventional obstacles, units increasingly relied on scatterable mines (Volcano/MOPMS) to shape the battlefield.
On the deliberate attack lane, the combat engineers supported the maneuver companies with an engineer platoon and AVLMs (MICLIC launchers mounted on an AVLB M60 chassis).
Lessons:
- Engineers need to train "survive-to-fight" skills. Specifically, the E-BFV Sapper platoons demonstrated inexperience in actions of contact with fires and movement techniques.
- Engineers are more confident in their ability to stay with the combat maneuver units, execute their mobility functions and survive the battle.
- Successful execution of breach fundamentals - Suppress, Obscure, Secure, Reduce (SOSR) - at the company level are essential for a successful breach. The maneuver company must designate support, breach and assault forces in accordance with FM 90-13-1, Combined Arms Breach Operations, and rehearse the operation in detail.
In summary, the engineer company executed an intense trainup leading to the unit's deployment to the NTC. The unit's training experience and the lessons learned provide a model for engineer battalions that transitions from the M113 to the M2 Bradley. The following is a proposed trainup schedule for this transition:
New Equipment Training (NET):
-
Engineer Platoon CollectiveTraining - "Return to Basics."
- Mounted Breach Drill.
- Dismounted Breach Drill.
- Engagement Area Development.
- Actions on Contact with Fires.
- Movement Techniques.
- Movement Formations.
- Scanning.
- Bradley Gunnery Tables V - VIII.
-
Combined Arms Training - Company STX Lanes.
- Deliberate Attack/Breach (Engineer company provides command and control for the breach force).
- Defend.
-
Movement to Contact. Engineers following countermobility missions:
- Emplace Volcano.
- Emplace MOPMS.
- Modified Bradley Gunnery Table XII.
- Combined Arms Training - Maneuver Battalion STX Lanes.
Although not addressed above, engineer-specific individual skills and squad collective tasks must also be trained and maintained throughout the training cycle.
The following is a proposed course of action for E-BFV Table XII qualification.
| "The
METL is based on the wartime mission; the unit must train as it plans to fight."
FM 25-101, Battle-Focused Training |
| "These
live-fire exercises must be developed based on the unit's METL. The focus is that the platoon must be qualified to execute the expected wartime missions." FM 23-1, Bradley Fighting Vehicle Gunnery |
The introduction of the Engineer-Bradley Fighting Vehicle to engineer battalions creates the requirement for engineer leaders to develop a system to train the E-BFV platoon in its expected wartime missions. Unlike the M113-equipped engineer platoons that are armed with the M2 .50 caliber machine gun, the E-BFV engineer platoon, equipped with 25mm chain guns, M240 coax machine guns, and TOW launchers, brings significant direct fire capability to the battlefield. With the reduction of one tank or infantry company in each Division XXI battalion, the E-BFV-equipped engineer company may be called upon to fill the vacuum. The engineer platoon must be able to execute platoon-level operations and effectively employ the Bradley weapon systems against an enemy. The extent of Bradley gunnery qualification for an engineer platoon to be considered combat ready is less obvious, and debatable. The engineer platoon's primary mission is to provide mobility and countermobility support to maneuver units.
The Bradley Table XII, Advanced Platoon Qualification, in FM 23-1, Bradley Fighting Vehicle Gunnery, Chapter 12, is designed to evaluate the combat readiness of an infantry platoon, but it is unsuitable for the E-BFV-equipped engineer platoon. To assess an engineer platoon's combat readiness based on unit METL, engineers must develop a modified Table XII that retains the target engagements that an engineer platoon would likely encounter in combat while integrating engineer-specific tasks derived from the METL.
ASSUMPTIONS
Fielding of the Bradley by combat engineers will require Army leaders to redefine the engineer battlefield function. The Bradley is a system designed for infantry operations - characterized by close, violent, direct and indirect fire engagements with an enemy. Theoretically, a commander could substitute an E-BFV engineer company for an infantry company and expect minimal degradation to the battalion's combat effectiveness. Future employment of combat engineers in a direct fire role is speculative and undefined. Under current doctrine, combat engineers are a combat multiplier -- providing mobility, countermobility and survivability support to maneuver forces. This condition has not changed. Because of the limited availability of combat engineers on the battlefield, they are rarely deliberately committed to the direct fire fight.
Without a clear understanding of the future mission for combat engineers, assumptions must be made for the development of an Engineer Table XII qualification. These assumptions, derived from current doctrine, help to "focus" the training event -- combining engineer missions with platoon-level gunnery.
Before proposing a specific course of action for an engineer platoon Table XII gunnery, the following assumptions are made:
ASSUMPTION No. 1: Engineers have a reduced requirement for direct fire engagements on Table XII compared to an infantry unit.
DISCUSSION: An engineer unit has a different METL than an infantry unit. The paramount mission for an infantry platoon is to close with and destroy the enemy. For an engineer platoon, the primary mission is to provide combat engineer support. In addition to gunnery, an engineer platoon must be evaluated on its ability to execute engineer missions under combat conditions. An engineer Bradley Table XII must have a "balance" of engineer platoon tasks and gunnery tasks.
RECOMMENDATION: Reduce the number of direct fire engagements for an engineer Table XII. Modify the target arrays to replicate the most likely engagements that an engineer platoon will encounter.
ASSUMPTION No. 2: Engineers do not need to fire the TOW missile in Table XII gunnery.
DISCUSSION: Although possible, engineer platoons are not expected to exchange long-range, direct fires with enemy tanks. Under current doctrine, infantry platoons close with and destroy enemy forces, whereas the engineer platoon provides combat engineer support. Within the context of combined arms operations, both offensive and defensive, engineer units typically have combat units forward. Even during a deliberate breach, if the mission is executed properly, the enemy is suppressed and incapable of effectively engaging the breach force with direct fires. This reduces the chance of direct fire contact between an E-BFV platoon and enemy armored vehicles, but does not eliminate the requirement for engineers to be proficient in TOW gunnery. The engineer unit must have trained Bradley crews to fire the weapon system. To have trained crews capable of engaging targets with the TOW, TOW gunnery should be limited to Table VIII.
RECOMMENDATION: Do not include TOW engagements for an Engineer Table XII Platoon Qualification. Fire TOW engagements in accordance with Table VIII, FM 23-1, to ensure crews can effectively fire the TOW.
ASSUMPTION No. 3: Engineers do not require a Table XII defense scenario.
DISCUSSION: In a tactical defense, engineers provide countermobility support to the maneuver unit. This mission is paramount during engagement area development. Assuming the engineer platoon provides support to several units during engagement area preparation, sufficient time is typically not available for engineers to occupy, prepare and defend a battle position. In the context of a battalion defense, a more plausible scenario involves engineers encountering enemy reconnaissance forces during obstacle emplacement. This scenario can be adapted to an offensive mission.
RECOMMENDATION: A Table XII defense scenario, given current doctrine, is unnecessary. Include a countermobility task in an offensive mission scenario. For example, task the engineer platoon to emplace a MOPMS on likely enemy counterattack route. Introduce targets that replicate contact with enemy reconnaissance elements.
ASSUMPTION No. 4: Engineers can execute both mobility and countermobility missions in a single offensive scenario. This eliminates the requirement to have separate Movement-to-Contact (MTC) and Attack lanes.
DISCUSSION: An engineer Table XII qualification emphasizes engineer mission execution in a combat environment. An engineer platoon in both a movement to contact (MTC) and an attack is focused primarily on mobility support to the maneuver unit. The engineer platoon is positioned behind the lead maneuver formations and is repositioned forward to reduce lanes through obstacles. The potential for contact with the enemy is generally the same in either mission.
RECOMMENDATION: Develop a single engineer Table XII that combines target arrays from the Attack, MTC, and Defend lanes outlined in FM 23-1.
COURSE-OF-ACTION DEVELOPMENT
The process to develop an engineer Table XII gunnery derives from FM 25-101, Battle-Focused Training, and is similar in some respects to the Military Decision-Making Process (MDMP). Given the mission, the engineer commander determines the mission-essential tasks that an E-BFV engineer platoon must be able to perform in combat. The training objectives and specific tasks for an engineer platoon qualification come from the mission-essential tasks. The conduct of the range and the evaluation standards described in FM 23-1, Chapter 12, remain unchanged. The deviations from Table XII in FM 23-1 consist of reducing the number and type of direct fire engagements that the platoon will execute while adding engineer platoon tasks.
PROPOSED COURSE OF ACTION
The following is a possible COA for an Engineer Bradley Table XII given the following example engineer company METL:
- Create, Proof and Mark a Lane through a Complex Obstacle.
- Locate and Mark a Bypass.
- Emplace Volcano and MOPMS.
- Emplace Conventional Obstacles.
- Conduct Survivability Operations.
- Conduct Tactical Movement.
- React to Contact.
- Protect the Force.
The commander derives the critical tasks his platoons must successfully execute in combat. This produces the following course of action for an engineer Bradley Table XII qualification:
Mission: Attack.
Phases of the Operation: Six Phases.
Bradley Gunnery Tasks:
- Overwatch/support by fire
- React to direct fires
- React to indirect fires
- React to chemical/NBC
- React to air attack
Engineer Tasks:
- Conduct a Breach Mounted.
- Conduct a Breach Dismounted.
-
Locate/Mark an Obstacle Bypass.
- Employ Volcano.
- Employ MOPMS.
| GUNNERY TASKS | CONDITION/TARGET SIMULATION | AMMUNITION | STANDARDS | |
| Phase
1
Mvmt to TAA | None | None | None | None |
| Phase
2
TAA to Atk Psn | None | React
to indirect fire. Fires replicated by five grenade simulators. | None | Unit executes appropriate actions on contact -- continue movement. |
| Phase
3
Atk Psn to Aslt Psn. | 1.
Engage point targets with APDS-T (A or B Sections). 2. Engage point target with APDS-T (A or B Sections). | 1.
Mounted element engages one stationary BRDM, frontal, 1,200-1,400M. 2. Mounted element engages one moving BRDM, 1,200-1,400M. | 1.
Sixteen rounds, APDS-T. 2. Twenty-four rounds, APDS-T. | 1.
Must hit vehicle with minimum three rds in 25 seconds. 2. Must hit vehicle with minimum three rds in 25 seconds. |
| Phase
4
Breach complex obst. | Engage point target with APDS-T (A or B Sections). | Mounted element engages dismounts in prepared psn, frontal, 1,200-1,400M. Target is identified by small arms fire 1,200M away. | Fifty rounds HEI-T. | Point target must receive 75% coverage on the target area within 45 seconds. |
| Phase
5
Breach wire obst. | 1.
Engage point target with APDS-T (A or B Sections). 2. Engage area target with COAX (A or B Sections). | 1.
Mounted element engages one BMP, frontal, 800-1,000M. 2. Mounted element engages dismounted infantry in a prepared psn, 800-1,000M. | 1.
Twenty-four rounds APDS-T. 2. Two hundred rounds 7.62. | 1.
Must hit vehicle with minimum three rounds in 25 seconds. 2. Must hit minimum four targets. |
| ENGINEER TASKS | CONDITION/TARGET SIMULATION | MUNITIONS/
DEMOLITIONS | STANDARDS | |
| Phase
1
Mvmt to TAA | None | None | None | None |
| Phase
2
TAA to Atk Psn | None | None | None | None |
| Phase
3
Atk Psn to Aslt Psn | 1.
Locate/Mark bypass. 2. Occupy an aslt position. 3. Emplace MOPMS. | 1.
Platoon encounters a minefield with bypass. 2. Minefield is covered by one BRDM. 3. Trail leads into flank. | MOPMS trainer (replicate emplacement with grenade simulator). | MOPMS minefield emplaced. |
| Phase
4
Breach complex obst. | Create, proof and mark a land through a complex obstacle. | Plt encounters complex obst 100M in depth. | Inert MICLIC rocket (replicate with grenade simulators). | MICLIC successfully fired/lane reduced and marked. |
| Phase
5
Breach wire obst. | Create, proof and mark a lane through a wire obstacle. | Plt encounters linear wire obst. | Bangalore Torpedo Kit. | Lane reduced and marked. |
Chapter
7: Manning the Bradley Engineer Platoon
Chapter
9: Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC) for E-BFV Companies
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