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STATION TRAINING
The
256th Inf Bde (M) received final notification that it would participate in
a NTC rotation less than a year prior to its deployment. The brigade assessed
the training status of its subordinate units and developed a training plan
designed to bring its units up to the tactical proficiency needed for participation
at the NTC. Only
thirty-five
and one-half training days were
available for the brigade's training program. Consequently, commanders had
to
carefully
evaluate their
unit's training status and thoughtfully
set
priorities to
gain maximum benefit from the limited training time.
During
the time available, the brigade's training for the NTC rotation focused on:
- Leader
Skills
- Combined
Arms Tactics
- Crew
Training
- Combat
Service Support
Many
valuable lessons were learned about how to prepare and execute this mission.
The vast majority are directly transferable to the battlefield. This bulletin
discusses some, but not all, of the brigade's lessons learned which should
be addressed by other units in their training.
Leader
Training
Leader
training included the Army Training Battle Simulation System (ARTBASS), command
post exercises (CPX), tactical exercises without troops (TEWT), and the FORSCOM
Leader Training Program.
Leader
Training Lessons Learned
Staff
Interaction
Leader
training must focus on intrastaff coordination in support of the commander's
decision process. If synchronization is to occur on the battlefield, staff
coordination must also be synchronized so that the right information is available
at the proper time in the planning cycle. Staff personnel must train together
as a team so that each member understands his/her role in the staff's decision
support process. The limited training time available to Reserve Component units
underscores the need for team building during training to maximize the effectiveness
of staff decision support products. Split training sessions among the staff
inhibit team building. The
Battle Staff and Wargaming
Training
the battle staff in developing estimates with emphasis on wargaming and detailed
analysis of METT-T is essential to the decision support process. The battle
staff includes the primary staff plus engineer, FSE, ALO, and any other CS
or CSS elements directly involved in supporting the unit. Keep
Training on Track
The
brigade's experience confirmed that real world, day-to-day requirements are
a constant distraction to training deploying elements. Leaders must ensure
that unit and individual training programs stay on track. Practice
with SOPs
Leaders
must ensure that effective TACSOPs are developed, exercised, and improved during
training. The key is to have workable SOPs that are actually followed. There
is insufficient time to make major changes to standing procedures during intense
tactical exercises. Enforce
Sleep Plan
A
sleep plan, as a component of continuous operations, must be developed and
enforced. The intensity of the tactical training at the NTC and the extreme
environmental conditions quickly degrade human performance unless leaders ensure
a disciplined sleep plan is implemented. Combined
Arms Training
Combined
arms training included live fire exercises (CALFEX), company/team MILES training,
and the integration of sustainment operations in tactical planning and maneuver
training.
Combined
Arms Training Lessons Learned
Train
Combined Arms
Task
forces and cross attachments between RC and AC units need to be organized in
training as they are to fight. This facilitates team-building and teacher/mentor
relationships between leaders and subordinates. Use
ARTEP and MTP
Combined
arms training should be conducted at all levels through battalion task force,
including the Army Training and Evaluation Program (ARTEP) and Mission Training
Plan (MTP). This will expose weaknesses in training and standing operating
procedures (SOP). Integrate
Logistics
Logisticians
as well as tacticians need to be included in TEWTs to the NTC so they can become
familiar with NTC operations. It is also essential that units review the precamp
checklists found in Appendix A, FR 350-2, and Annexes F and J of Volume III,
Part 3 of FORMDEPS, prior to any coordination visits. Train
Rear Area Security
Emphasize
rear area security operations during FTX, ST, or weekend drill. The personnel
involved in these operations will work as a team if given the opportunity to
train together. Crew
Training
Crew
training included Tank Tables VI and VIII, platoon live fire, Tank Table India
(MILES), and artillery, mortar, and crew served weapons qualification. MILES
training addressed installation, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting
of MILES equipment. Crew training emphasized weapons training over maneuver
and maintenance. A balance between the three is needed.
Crew
Training Lessons Learned
Balance
Training
During
training, leaders must place equal emphasis on operator and crew maintenance,
not just fighting skills, in order to achieve the balanced level of proficiency
needed for successful battlefield operations. Integrate
Gunnery and Maneuver
Acquiring
and engaging enemy targets with accurate MILES fire is the rule to win at the
NTC. Gunnery training and maneuver must be integrated. If units are not properly
positioned on the battlefield, they cannot kill; if they cannot kill, they
will not win. Develop
Scouts
Scouts
play a critical role in assisting the TF in developing the situation on the
battlefield. Scout crew training must emphasize stealthy reconnaissance, reporting,
and battlefield survivability. Combat
Service Support Training
Combat
Service Support training focused on unit maintenance operations, preventive
maintenance checks and services (PMCS), prescribed load list/authorized stockage
list (PLL/ASL) replenishment operations, and logistics coordination visits
to the NTC.
Early
in preparation for deployment, the brigade submitted an extensive FORSCOM 156-R
(Annual Training Equipment Requirement) for equipment shortages that impacted
on training. The brigade's support battalion was critically short of items
required to perform support operations. Resolving training equipment requirements
early enables planners to formulate transportation requirements and to calculate
what must be filled from other units or drawn from NTC stocks.
CSS
Training Lessons Learned
Equipment
Shortages
Equipment
shortages must be addressed early so that units will have the equipment needed
to train. Maintenance
Mindset
During
home station training, the maintenance mindset must change from a garrison
shop (MATES) orientation to fix far forward (unit responsible for own level
of maintenance). Strive
for Realism In Training
The
scale of logistical requirements at the NTC is much greater than that experienced
during home station training, where doctrinal resupply distances and tonnages
are not easily replicated. Proactive
ALOC
It
is important for the brigade administrative/logistics operations center (ALOC)
to maintain a situation map and follow the battle during training. The ALOC,
in conjunction with the support battalion, will be better able to coordinate
and control supply, maintenance, and transportation requirements. Defend
the Rear Area
Proper
construction of CSS fighting positions saves lives when the BSA is attacked
by indirect fires or ground forces and should be practiced in training. CSS
training should also include internal security, coordination of perimeter defense
with adjoining units, proper use of range cards, and manning of observation
posts and listening posts. The
BSA Moves
BSA
moves, particularly night moves, must be practiced, especially the use of control
measures (vehicle intervals, dispersion, ground guides). Practice
Quartering Party Opns
Quartering
party tasks of clearing the new location and NBC monitoring and alert notification
require repeated training to achieve proficiency. Medical
Opns
Mass
casualty training, medical evacuation, and timely submission of casualty feeder
reports should be emphasized and refined during training.
Table
of Contents
Introduction
Movement
of Personnel and Equipment
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