This is Part 3 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
Crew Gunnery: Setting the Foundation for Lethality
The brigade must establish and enforce the ABCT’s gunline. An ABCT consumes tremendous resources on an installation, and crew gunnery is an opportunity to train multiple echelons. The brigade is the headquarters that synchronizes and resources the gunnery and assists battalions in maximizing the multi-echelon training opportunities. While crew gunnery is a brigade training event, individual companies run each range and battalions support the training. The brigade master gunner should draft the gunline, develop the shot sheets, and coordinate for Vehicle Crew Evaluators (VCEs) to evaluate crews outside each battalion during crew Gunnery Table VI (GT VI). The division headquarters must shift red cycle and installation support requirements away from the brigade executing crew gunnery months for it to be a successful training event. Because an ABCT requires so many ranges over a block of time, smaller units on the installation must make the space for the ABCT to train.
Figure 4: Example of Major Gunnery Ranges and Training Areas Required for an ABCT Gunline. For Crew Gunnery, the ABCT requires each range (annotated by Red and Yellow circles) for 17 consecutive days. In total, a brigade needs 25 days to complete crew gunnery, excluding recovery. Additionally, the brigade needs training areas to deploy C2 and sustainment nodes as well as to enable small unit training.
Before crews begin gunnery, each battalion must develop and back brief a plan for prerequisite training (Gunnery Skills Testing / Gunnery Table I and Simulations / Gunnery Table II). 1CD developed a Bradley Proficiency Course (BPC) that dramatically improves the competency of BFV commanders and BFV gunners in operating their weapon system, with significant improvements to their qualification rates and scores. In the IRONHORSE Brigade, crews that completed BPC had significantly higher first-time qualification (Q1) rates and scores than crews that did not complete the course. During the first iteration of home-station crew gunnery, crews that took part in BPC had an 86% Q1 rate vs 49% for crews that did not complete the course. By the second iteration of gunnery, 92% of crews that completed the BPC qualified Q1 with significantly higher scores overall. While no such course currently exists for the tank at the division level, BCTs should run a Tank Proficiency Course (TPC) prior to gunnery skills testing that models the same program of instruction to achieve the same impact among tank crews.
Battalions must also prioritize qualifying units that support the gunline before crew gunnery begins; this includes qualifications for the distribution platoon, mortar platoon, and artillery crews. Engineer squads need to conduct the engineer squad certifications prior to gunnery so the Bradley crews can qualify. Throughout the training progression, the field artillery battalion should certify their units one echelon ahead of the remainder of the BCT to ensure they are qualified to support maneuver training. Meaning they should certify platoons at Artillery Table XII (AT XII) when the rest of the brigade certifies combat vehicle crews. Additionally, the brigade must de-conflict the certification of Fire Support Teams (FiSTs), who operate from Bradley Fire Support Vehicles (BFISTs) with BFV crew qualification. The best practice is to certify FiSTs during a Best FiST competition run in conjunction with a consolidated Brigade MORTEP two to three weeks before crew gunnery. The field artillery battalion can run the MORTEP and best FiST competition with all battalions providing their personnel.
The BSB finds itself in a similar position with regards to their Table VI qualification and Convoy Live Fire Exercise. This training is necessary to qualify gunners and convoy commanders. They must complete it before the rest of the brigade begins gunnery so that forward support companies are free to support their maneuver units. The BSB does not have a master gunner and requires support from the maneuver battalions and brigade headquarters to properly develop targetry and certify VCEs. The BSB can certify its base companies, FSCs, and available enabling units to ensure that all elements operating within the brigade battlespace understand convoy procedures. The BSB can recognize top crews for Table VI and use the Convoy Live Fire to assess junior leader’s abilities in conducting TLPs and controlling complex movements.
The period before crew gunnery is the primary window for individual soldier qualifications on individual weapons, crew-served weapons, Javelins, warrior tasks, and battle drills, Expert Infantry Badge (EIB) tasks, Excellence in Armor (EIA) tasks, and medical skills. Developing a training plan for those skills is the responsibility of the company and below leaders, but leaders at all echelons must outline what skills they expect company and below leaders to train, ensuring adequate time to conduct and supervise the training.
Figure 5: SYNCMAT for training prerequisite gates to Crew Gunnery
The ABCT should task organize as they plan to fight in their Playbook throughout gates to live fire and during crew gunnery. FiSTs should conduct Gunnery Tables I and II with their assigned companies; Sapper Platoons should shoot with the CABs they support. Task organization provides units an opportunity to validate cross-unit coordination measures, attachment and detachment procedures, and test SOPs. Early integration of these enablers builds familiarity, allows the artillery battalion to focus on training fire tasks, allows the BEB to focus on training mobility and counter mobility tasks, and allows the CABs to focus on individual and crew lethality. Enablers that participate in crew gunnery must meet all gates to live fire, which requires several weeks prior to executing crew gunnery. Nevertheless, by adopting this approach the BEB and field artillery battalion do not have to focus on planning or running crew gunnery; this liberates the BEB and artillery battalion to focus their efforts on training, making the enablers they provide, experts in their WfF.
Figure 6: A working version of the Brigade’s anticipated NTC or deployment task organization should be effective during gunneries and collective training events.
Figure 7: Crew Gunnery SYNCMAT
Crew Gunnery is about much more than movement and maneuver. Crew gunnery is hard. It is the first opportunity for the BCT to exercise systems in a tactical environment. Battalions must push their Maintenance Collection Points (MCPs) out, and the Company Field Maintenance Teams (FMTs) must repair vehicles as far forward as possible. Arraying units and nodes the way that the brigade fights is essential; FMTs should keep a contact truck and M88 forward with the company trains. The remainder of the FMT should remain at the MCP, and if required they should repair vehicles at the MCP, where they have access to the maintenance control section and Shop Stock List (SSL). Battalions must run daily maintenance meetings and enforce the submission of LOGSTATs and 5988-Es. Battalions that leave deadlined equipment in motor pools or take equipment back to motor pools for repair, fail to take gunnery as serious preparation for combat.
Companies must execute Logistics Resupply Point (LRP) operations using a service station or tailgate resupply during crew gunnery. Distribution platoons need to push ammunition, fuel, repair parts, and hot meals in scheduled LOGPACs that the brigade’s Sustainment Operations Center (SOC) synchronizes. A fueler that remains on the range longer than one and a half hours is a sign of a failing unit. Conducting LOGPAC is part of the conduct of the range. The range does not stop, but leaders must develop and implement a plan to support all vehicles topping off on fuel and ensure that all crew members eat.
During crew gunnery, the battalions should deploy C2 nodes and sustainment nodes into the field. For the three weeks the battalion executes crew gunnery, they should practice full deployment to the field including all personnel and equipment. C2 and sustainment nodes establish in accordance with their SOPs, employ passive security measures including camouflage and dispersion, and incorporate active security measures including local patrolling and guard mount. This provides an opportunity for leaders who run the Field Trains Command Post (FTCP), Combat Trains Command Post (CTCP), Main CP, Tactical CP (TAC), and aid stations to practice employing the nodes in a tactical environment. Battalion and company CPs must track the status of the training, track the locations of units, review their tracking boards, ensure the Common Operating Picture (COP) supports how the commander fights, and troubleshoot their systems to ensure they are adequate for combat. The battalion must require companies to employ the entire PACE plan, submit LOGSTATs, and report.
The BCT deploys its TAC, Main CP, and ALOC in different phases during crew gunnery. The TAC deploys at the beginning and end of the gunnery, and the Main CP deploys with the ALOC in the middle of the gunline while all battalions are in the field. While the Main CP is out, the Brigade conducts a COMMEX and STAFFEX which includes running their battle rhythm to drive communications on FM, HF, JCR/JBCP, and all upper Tactical Infrastructure (TI) and services. The battle rhythm validates the brigade’s PACE plan and familiarizes staff with TOCSOPs and reporting formats. This also provides an opportunity for leaders to validate CP node setup and tear down procedures, staging, CP handoff, and CP battle drills. Additionally, the deployment of the unit into a tactical environment provides an opportunity to execute a round of MDMP on a tactical OPORD, exercise their planning systems, and validate the Plans SOP (PSOP) and Playbook.
While tank and BFV crews conduct individual qualifications, the artillery battalion conducts AT XII (platoon) certifications. The artillery battalion continues to certify one echelon ahead of the remainder of the brigade throughout the train up, so they are postured to continue supporting training. Brigade and battalion Fire Support Elements (FSEs) establish as part of their main CPs, and the artillery battalion establishes their Fire Direction Centers (FDCs). Battle drills during the STAFFEX include fire missions that push missions over FM digital, HF Digital, and Upper TI using the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS) and down to Paladins for dry fire missions. The cavalry squadron rehearses routing fire missions over a quickfire net to a battery with a habitual relationship to support them. These can all be executed as part of the output of the tactical OPORD production (See the section on Lethality Validation Exercises for ways to do this).
The Intelligence Warfighting Function trains throughout the gunnery, executing the Military Intelligence Training Strategy (MITS) Tier III and ensuring the Cyber and Electromagnetic Activity (CEMA) and SIGINT personnel conduct individual certifications. The Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) platoon ensures all Shadow pilots have current crew certifications. The Brigade Intelligence Support Element (BISE) deploys as part of the main CP and establishes all functionality, including passing fire missions to the artillery battalion through Target Intelligence Data (TIDAT).
The BSB uses crew gunnery as an opportunity to train several different echelons of logistical support. A Forward Logistic Element (FLE) supports the beginning of the gunline, and the entire Brigade Support Area (BSA) deploys to support the brigade at the height of the gunnery when all battalions are in the field. Battalions submit LOGSTATS to the SOC and Administrative and Logistics Operations Centers (ALOCs) throughout the training event. The Electronic Maintenance (ELM) section conducts responsive field maintenance of tanks. The one exception to “training as you fight,” is the Direct Support Electrical Test Sets (DSETS) teams should position on the two ranges. One DSETS should remain at the Tank Table IV range and the other DSETS team should position at the Tank Table VI range. Forward positioning DSETS on the range allows rapid troubleshooting, repair, and replacement of Line-Replaceable Units (LRUs) and cards on tanks. Dig assets from the BEB dig in the Ammunition Holding Area (AHA), the Ammunition Temporary Holding Point (ATHP), C2 nodes, artillery radars, and greywater pits.
Companies must execute gunnery as a cohesive unit. They must execute all range support tasks using their organic vehicle crewman and equipment. VCEs can come from within the battalion for tables IV, and V, but they must come from another battalion during Table VI certification to ensure the integrity of evaluation standards. Companies should develop concurrent training plans in units with personnel who are passengers of a BFV crew (scout teams, infantry squads, and sapper squads), to enhance their proficiency on warrior tasks and battle drills. Local training areas allow concurrent training on communications, reporting in accordance with SOPs, dismounted movement techniques, employing Javelins and AT-4s, long-range optics, medical skills, specialty equipment, and even squad Situational Training Exercises (STX). The company must plan and resource the concurrent training ahead of time; if used efficiently, the 17 days the company spends in the field provides the dismounted elements of freedom and time to train. Frequently, leaders underestimate the demands of self-supporting crew gunnery, but all Troopers should expect tough training. Tank companies successfully self-support their own ranges without infantry squads covering range requirements. Infantry companies and scout troops should not consume their precious dismounts to cover details on the range. Instead, the team leaders and squad leaders in those formations must use that time to aggressively train soldiers on individual tasks.
The 1st Cavalry Division GUNSOP provides an excellent reference for how to execute crew gunnery to standard, as well as recommended timelines for conducting In Progress Reviews, G-90, G-60, and G-30 briefing formats. Additionally, the GUNSOP outlines critical tasks, such as range proofing, that the brigade must conduct prior to execution to ensure that tables provide fair tests of each crew’s ability.
Companies should establish their CPs during gunnery and treat them as they would a vehicle crew. The XO must enforce battle tracking and the submission of reports. The 1SG and XO must execute sustainment operations the way that their SOPs describe or change their SOPs to make sense. This includes the receipt of LOGPAC at a planned LRP driven by a LOGSYNCMAT, execution of an LRP meeting, service station resupply, and 5988-E handover.
Combat crews must train in accordance with the standards outlined in TC 3-20.0 to qualify on their platforms. The standards in TC 3-20.0 train tank and BFV crews to fight at extended and close ranges, in various conditions, and with degraded systems. A reasonable planning factor for gunnery is the throughput of 17 crews per day. Battalions should distribute attachments to keep each company-sized element below 17 crews per element possible. With the addition of 3 BFISTs and a sapper platoon, tank heavy CABs may need to push their task force scouts to conduct crew gunnery with their habitually aligned cavalry troops to keep the number of BFV crews on the range manageable. In months with longer days, the crew gunnery engagements should include six-day and four-night engagements. In months with long nights, they should consider shooting five day and five-night engagements.
Primary and Secondary Gunnery
Certifications under the JUN 2019 TC 3-20.0 remain valid for up to 12 months as long as the crew does not break or the unit does not meet condemnation criteria due to leader or specialty section turnover. This 12-month certification provides an opportunity to reduce the number of gunneries an ABCT historically conducts, from three crew gunneries to two crew gunneries. This allows commanders to focus on two quality gunneries, ideally conducting primary gunnery that qualifies all crews after the peak of the summer move cycle (when the majority of leaders move) and secondary gunnery after the peak of the winter move cycle. Commanders and S3s should understand the standards for certifying a “turbulent crew” outlined in TC 3-20.0; frequently, two partial crews can certify as a new qualified crew through testing on gunnery skills and simulations.
Many leaders have experience with “sustainment gunneries” that skip tables or allow crews to “test out” of train up requirements. Sustainment gunneries have corroded ABCT lethality and do not meet standards. Do not entertain cutting corners and allowing units to conduct sustainment gunneries, or “work in some crews” with another BCT. Secondary gunnery is a full gunnery that includes all prerequisite training, testing, and gunnery tables. The only differences are not all combat crews in the BCT will qualify, and the BCT may not deploy all units and echelons to the field in full.
With lower turnover rates of leaders in the winter, the ABCT may be able to consolidate all tank crews underneath a tank heavy CAB and consolidate all BFV crews under an infantry heavy CAB or the cavalry squadron to execute the secondary gunnery. In this circumstance, the BCT ensures each firing order has battalion and company leadership supervising the firing order and supervising crews train to make sure it meets standards. The BCT must resource the secondary gunnery and track the progress of the gunnery during execution with the Brigade TAC. The BSB’s FLE sustains those battalions while they train. If required to meet deployment readiness requirements from FORSCOM or Combatant Commanders, the BCT may need to execute additional gunneries in the year.
While the individual combat vehicle crew is the primary training audience during crew gunnery, all elements within the BCT leave the gunnery at a higher standard of training because the BCT exercises all systems. While the Brigade has elements executing gunnery for 26 days, each company-sized element conducts gunnery for 11 days, with C2 and sustainment nodes deployed for anywhere from 15 to 25 days. During crew gunnery, the Brigade takes its first step toward functioning as a combat formation.
Disclaimer
This series is a fusion of doctrine and regulations with the authors’ experience in training and warfighting. It does not constitute the official position of FORSCOM, TRADOC, the Army, or the Department of Defense.
COL Michael Schoenfeldt is the Commander of the IRONHORSE Brigade Combat Team (1ABCT, 1CD) with 23 years of experience as an Army Officer including Tank Platoon Leader, Tank Company Commander, Cavalry Squadron Executive Officer, Brigade Executive Officer, and Combined Arms Battalion Commander. He can be reached at michael.d.schoenfeldt.mil@mail.mil.
MAJ Patrick Stallings is currently the Cavalry Squadron Operations Trainer at the National Training Center and was the Brigade S3 for the IRONHORSE Brigade Combat Team (1ABCT, 1CD) with 15 years of experience as an Army Officer including Armored Reconnaissance Platoon Leader, Stryker Reconnaissance Troop Commander, and Cavalry Squadron Executive Officer. He can be reached at michael.p.stallings4.mil@mail.mil.
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The full paper and files below are available at https://www.milsuite.mil/book/groups/abct-training
- Embedded Charts (includes full page slides of each figure in this paper)
- IRONHORSE Playbook
- 1CD Brigade Training Model Information Paper.docx
- DA Big 12
- Crew Gunnery Administrative OPORD (IRONHORSE Smoothbore)
5A) Crew Gunnery Administrative OPORD Brief (IRONHORSE Smoothbore)
- Platoon LFX and CALFEX Administrative OPORD (IRONHORSE Fury)
- Wet Gap Crossing Tactical OPORD (IRONHORSE Fury Phase 0)
- CALFEX Tactical OPORD (IRONHORSE Fury Phase I – IV)
- CALFEX OC Packet Example
- FCX Tactical OPORD (IRONHORSE Fury 2.0)
- Brigade FTX Administrative OPORD