In October 2019, the National Training Center distributed “Recommendations for Commanders to Consider During Home Station Training” to correct a few common shortcomings seen among rotational units. Mastering the fundamentals at echelon and the associated ability to truly focus units on training identified critical collective tasks to a high standard topped the list of recommendations for Commanders to consider.
Defining and consciously deciding to master specific fundamental tasks constitutes one of the single most important decisions any Commander will make during their tenure. That decision, more than any other, will drive the readiness focus as it relates to your unit’s ability to perform your combat mission. Whether you read doctrine, history, the memoirs of the military’s greatest leaders, or simply stories of past battles, the notion of Soldiers mastering fundamental skills required to function effectively under combat conditions, at echelon, ultimately determines the outcome of a battle. True mastery appears when small units can accomplish these tasks under the most complex conditions. As GEN (Ret) Mattis said, “Be brilliant in the basics. Don’t dabble in your job; you must master it. That applies at every level as you advance.”
Consequently, NTC’s November 2019 update highlights a selection of the best practices observed among rotational units at the Company level and below. Although not all encompassing, these types of observed best practices are critical to honing and sharpening our skills to fight America’s enemies. As leaders incorporate these best practices into their SOPs and train them throughout their formation, the refinement and mastery of the fundamental tasks at echelon can begin to occur.
This document breaks down observations and best practices by formation type to allow for focus among subordinate leaders. While seemingly simple in many cases, readers should remember that in war, even the simplest things are difficult. If you want to truly want to master the fundamentals in your unit, remember this final quote from GEN (Ret) Mattis:
“Every warrior must know his weapon, his job, and his comrades’ reactions so well that he functions without hesitation. A hitter has a quarter of a second to gauge the arc of a curveball and swing his bat. He has practiced so many times that calculating whether to swing is automatic, grooved into his muscle memory. The same is true for the grunt engaged in close combat.”
Whether you are a Company Commander, Platoon Leader, First Sergeant, or an aspiring leader, our only desire is to share these best practices to make you and your Soldiers at the tip of the spear the best possible fighting formation possible. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to ask.
Below are links to the individual observations and best practices. You can also find the entire PDF HERE.
- Scout PLT & Cavalry TRP
- Armor CO/TM
- Mechanized Infantry CO/TM
- Field Artillery BTY
- Attack Helicopter CO
- Military Intelligence Company
- Engineer Company
- Signal Company & C2
- BSB Distro CO
- Transportation Composite Truck CO
- Brigade Medical CO
- Forward Support CO
- BSB HHC
- BSB Maintenance CO
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