Category Archives: CTC

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Part 2: Got Shock? How to Train your Brigade for Lethality and Winning in Large Scale Combat Operations

A Guest Post By COL Michael Schoenfeldt (@IRONHORSE6_) and MAJ Patrick Stallings (@DustyStetson95)

This is Part 2 of an 8 Part Series. The full and unredacted article with all enclosures is available on Milsuite at https://www.milsuite.mil/book/groups/abct-training

Operationalized Multi-Echelon Training

Time is a finite resource and units cannot simply add requirements to training calendars that are already overloaded. Increasing lethality and the ability of ABCTs to synchronize all WfFs requires multi-echelon training with clearly defined objectives and outcomes. During a properly designed company live-fire certification, an infantry company—the primary training audience— will train on all of its assigned METs. Additionally, that training event provides an opportunity for the parent battalion to establish its own Main Command Post (CP), Tactical Command Post (TAC), Combat Trains Command Post (CTCP), and Field Trains Command Post (FTCP) while validating current operations functions at each node. The company has an opportunity to deploy its CP and company trains. By evaluating the infantry company on its performance while receiving a Logistics Package (LOGPAC) at a Logistics Release Point (LRP) during a service station resupply, the distribution platoon and Forward Support Company (FSC) for the battalion can demonstrate proper tactics and validate their SOPs. The brigade trains the Brigade Aviation Element (BAE) and Fire Support Element (FSE) on managing airspace and de-conflicting fires by incorporating lift aviation, attack aviation, artillery, mortars, Shadow Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), and Raven UAS into the company live fire. Sappers from the Brigade Engineer Battalion (BEB) participate and integrate into the company by conducting a combined arms breach. By executing all of these events at the same time, the ABCT builds readiness and lethality across multiple echelons in one training event.

Posted on

Part 1: Got Shock? How to Train your Brigade for Lethality and Winning in Large Scale Combat Operations

A Guest Post by COL Michael Schoenfeldt (@IRONHORSE6_) and MAJ Patrick Stallings (@DustyStetson95)

This is Part 1 of an 8 Part Series. The full and unredacted paper with all enclosures is available on Milsuite at https://www.milsuite.mil/book/groups/abct-training

Preface

Cavalry – The cavalry soldier must consider his horse as a part of himself, and the perfect management of the horse cannot be learned either in schools or in a few weeks of practice. If daily exercises are dispensed with, both horse and man return to their natural state, and such mounted men cease to be efficient… Cavalry is indispensable in time of war. It will always take a leading part in pursuing a retreating enemy; it is the proper arm of ordinary reconnaissances; it will always serve as eclaireurs, and as escorts, and should, in the present state of war, carry carbines and be prepared for service on foot. It is weakened and destroyed in a country without forage. Its first cost, its constant maintenance, the defects of its employment, and the system of providing horses make it expensive; but it ought nevertheless to be maintained in a complete state, for its art can only be exercised by men and horses that are properly instructed.

Cavalry Tactics – The individual instruction of men and horses should be regarded as the most important point of the whole system, and should be as simple as possible; the man should be taught to manage his horse with ease and address over all kinds of ground and at all gaits, to swim rivers, to go through certain gymnastic exercise – such as vaulting, cutting heads, to fence, to fire very frequently at a mark, and to handle his weapon with accuracy and effect at all gaits, and in all situations… Insist upon the sabre being kept sharp in the field, provide the men the means of doing so, and lay it down that the strength of the cavalry is in the “spurs and sabre.”

From Military Dictionary: Comprising Technical Definitions; Information on Raising and Keeping Troops; Actual Service; and Law, Government Regulation, and Administration Relating to Land Forces,

by Colonel H.L. Scott, USA, 1861.

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Organizational Goals for NTC – From a Former Battalion XO

A Guest Post by MAJ Kevin Krupski

I forget what time it was, but it was dark, and we had finally gotten the semblance of a TOC established “in the box” after a long day leaving the RUBA. I was trying to account for the trail of equipment scattered along the route when the wind picked up – somehow the Ops Group was able to conjure up a dust storm just in time for our push through the “whale’s gap.”  I could not help thinking to myself that this was just the beginning.