NCO CORNER
The following are Observations/Lessons Learned from the National Training Center. They are provided to help complement unit training. These items are intended as refresher information so that all NCOs can benefit from the experiences of others.
Safety
In FY 87 there were 106 training accidents at the NTC. Two of the accidents resulted in deaths of soldiers: A soldier walked into the tail rotor after disembarking from a helicopter. A driver died when he drove his M113 into the gun tube of an M60A3. Both accidents occurred in spite of safety briefing attended by the soldiers. Small unit leaders must keep an eye on their personnel to ensure they follow instructions.
Safety Tips:
- Use vehicles/ground guides during periods of limited visibility, especially in unit position and assembly areas.
- Always wear helmets when operating vehicles, even in rear areas.
- Designate and use sleeping areas.
- Ensure that all equipment is stored and served according to load plan.
- Don't exceed speed limits in the BSA and MSR.
The biggest contributing factor is the lack of supervision. Leaders must set the example and enforce procedures. Junior leaders must become involved in order to protect themselves and the soldiers they lead.
Accountability
As key leaders, NCOs ensure the accuracy and timeliness of status reports. Accountability of personnel and equipment is critical to mission accomplishment. It is easily lost in the heat of battle. The following will help alleviate the problem:
- Establish status reports in unit SOPs, the simpler, the better. Integrate status reports into standard battle drills and use them in home station training.
- Junior leaders must continually check the status of their personnel and equipment during the battle.
- Stress to subordinates the importance of maintaining an accurate status.
Leadership
NCOs must be ready to take charge when their officers are absent or become casualties. Task force NCOs are not being used to their full capacity.
Training
The platoon sergeant and squad leaders must stress to the soldier the importance of range cards and sector sketches. At the Combat Training Centers, range cards are rarely constructed. Those range cards that are constructed are usually illegible, inaccurate, and incomplete.
During training at the CTC, individual soldier performance is continuously outstanding. Their capability generally exceeds the expectations and demands placed on them by the chain of command.
Detailed pre-combat checks are essential before each mission. Often weapons don't work because checks aren't made. This prevents the unit from using all available combat assets.
Table
of Contents
Subject
IV: Lessons Learned
Endnotes
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