Category Archives: Lessons Learned

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NTC Update (NOV 19)

Forward Support Company Observations & Best Practices

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The Forward Support Companies (FSC) provide direct logistic support to each maneuver battalion in a Brigade Combat Team (BCT). The FSC Commander is responsible for assisting the battalion S4 and, executing logistics support according to both the BSB and supported maneuver commander’s guidance, and serving as the link between organizations (FM 3-96, 9-7). To accomplish these tasks, the FSC echelons assets across the battlefield throughout the company trains, combat trains, and field trains. Synchronizing these elements requires unfettered communication between the key nodes at each echelon including the supported battalion Tactical Operations Center (TOC), Combat Trains Command Post (CTCP), and Field Trains Command Post (FTCP). Manning and equipping the CTCP and FTCP is an implied task for the FSC but, it should be well defined. A symptom of BCTs tendency to perform collective training at the battalion level and of FSC culture which prides itself on not requiring support from the BSB is that Forward Support Companies struggle to provide adequate support during large scale combat operations (LSCO). 

Crew members and mechanics from Golf Forward Support Company, 101st Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, reinstall an engine during National Training Center Rotation 16-08 in August 2016. (Photo Credit: Capt. Jonathan Camire)
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NTC Update (NOV 19)

BSB HQ (Field Feeding & Mortuary Affairs) Observations & Best Practices

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This paper outlines observations and describes best practices of Brigade Support Battalion Headquarters and Headquarters Company’s Field Feeding Section and Mortuary Affairs (MA) Soldiers while deployed during large-scale combat operations (LSCO). Successful field feeding teams deploy prepared and proficient in several key areas, which include but are not limited to utilization of the commodity shops, synchronization with BN staff, and maintenance management. The Field Feeding Section provides field-feeding support with the use of all available equipment and personnel within the specified time constraints in the mission OPORD and in accordance with (IAW) the approved Army standards identified in commanders guidance, applicable internal and external TASOP, and approved Army regulation. 

The field feeding team from 1-89 Cavalry won the corps-level competition last year and placed second in the U.S. Army Forces Command-level competition. (Photo Credit: Courtesy photo)
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NTC Update (NOV 19)

BSB Maintenance Company Observations & Best Practices

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This paper outlines observations and describes best practices of Field Maintenance Company (FMCs) while deployed as rotational training units (RTUs) to the National Training Center (NTC) during FY19. Identifying lessons learned and best practices allows FMC commanders and Leaders to better assess, plan, and prepare units for Large Scale Combat Operations (LSCO). Successful FMCs come to the NTC prepared and proficient in several key areas, which include but not limited to utilization of the commodity shops, synchronization with BN staff, and battalion maintenance meeting. The Army’s two-level maintenance system (field and sustainment levels) generates and regenerates combat power, which is critical for fight and win during LSCO. The Brigade Support Battalion (BSB) can maximize its FMCs potentials to enhance the Forward Support Company (FSC) capabilities to sustain supported unit’s combat operations. 

Although the number of Army accidental fatalities has steadily declined over the past several years, Soldiers are still injuring themselves in preventable accidents. Courtesy photo. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo)
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Not Your Grandpa’s Rifle Qualification

Training for the Army's New M4 Qualification

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The new Army marksmanship M4A1 carbine qualification course of fire is a more complex and realistic evaluation of lethality. The integration of barriers, unprompted reloading, and firing position transitions provide leadership with a challenging task for training soldiers.

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Making the Leap

A Letter to Me as a Promotable Captain

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Congratulations on your promotion to the field grade ranks in the U.S. Army. The Army values your demonstrated ability and your observed potential to continue the mission of fighting and winning our nation’s wars. More so, your promotion to major is a testament to the soldiers, NCOs, and fellow officers with whom you’ve served. It’s recognition of their endless dedication and your leadership. But there are some things you need to remember as you move forward. This letter serves as a reminder to stay grounded – as much as things change, some lessons are timeless.

Gen. Michael X. Garrett, FORSCOM Commander, visited the 3rd Cavalry Regiment out in ‘The Box’ while at the National Training Center. While on site he engaged with senior leaders and troopers discussing lessons learned during the rotation.
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The Changing Face of Rifle Qualification

Best Practices to Succeed in a New Era

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Rifle qualification has long served as a gauge of unit proficiency and training. It facilitates risk mitigation and serves as a gate from individual training to more advanced unit training. For years, the Army has used a three position static record fire rifle qualification. This course allowed a modicum of understanding of individual marksmanship from 50m to 300m, but did little to enforce the skills needed to employ the rifle in combat. Soldiers require the skills to react to an immediate threat, reload, use cover, and change positions during an engagement to maximize their lethality and survivability on the battlefield. These skills weren’t effectively represented in the legacy rifle qualification table. The U.S. Army required a test that better prepared and qualified Soldiers for the marksmanship required by the crucible of ground combat. Now it has one.

Soldiers across the 25th Infantry Division with varying skill levels prepared for the new marksmanship standards by conducting a pilot program to assess current installation support capabilities at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. (U.S. Army photos by Sgt. Sarah D Sangster)
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A Holiday Shopping Guide

Gifts for the Tactical Leader

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Halloween and Veterans Day are behind us with Turkey Day just around the corner. With this comes Christmas music entirely too early and Hallmark holiday movies. It also means the queries from family are soon to begin: “What do you want for Christmas?” An easy way to combat this is with a set of public Amazon wishlists for each member of your family. If you are searching for items other than books to put on your list–or looking for practical gifts for the tactical leader in your life– here is your guide.

Attired as Santa Claus, Air Force Tech. Sgt. Mike Morris pushes a pallet of fuel onto a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft in Southwest Asia, Dec. 23, 2011. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathanael Callon
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Echo Chambers and Loud Speakers

A Reflection on #AUSADigital2019

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On the heels of a very successful #AUSADigital2019 event, I have been reflecting on the ways we as a #MilTwitter community can be better. Occupying that mental space, and enjoying a cup of coffee, I read a recent blog post from a close family-friend (@awktravels). She nailed it! Reading her thoughts on diversifying media, got me thinking about our own accountability, candor, and “outrage.”

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The Science of Management

Applying and Managing Systems at the Company Level

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I vividly recall walking into my Squadron Commander’s office shortly after I took command of my first Troop.  He asked me how things were going. I replied, “Sir, I feel like I’m treading water with a 20-pound brick right now. As a platoon leader and assistant operations officer, if something was wrong, I could always take things into my own hands and fix it myself. Now, it is impossible for me to fix everything myself. I have to get my headquarters section or PLs to fix everything for me.”  He replied, “Welcome to command.  It’s great, isn’t it!”

Leadership may drive systems, but without systems leadership often falls flat. Photo from Operations Group, National Training Center 1st Battalion, 35th Armored Regiment
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Nobody Puts LT In The Corner

The NCO Responsibility To Mentor

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The second lieutenant walked through the office door, I sat at the squad leader desk working on counseling’s and my platoon sergeant was napping behind his desk. The lieutenant greeted us and introduced himself as our new platoon leader, I welcomed him and turned back to my work. My platoon sergeant squinted at him and stood up, he grabbed a chair and put it in a corner. “This is where the kids sit until they learn their place.” He grunted and turned around to sit down at his desk. This first interaction set the tone for the new platoon leader and his interactions with all NCOs.

1st Lt. Timothy Goldstone, platoon leader, Company C, 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, briefs an operations order over a terrain model with his Soldiers and visiting U.S. Military Academy cadets at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, July 26, 2017, during a platoon live-fire exercise. The cadets are spending three weeks in Germany training with the “Iron Brigade” as it hones its Soldiers’ readiness in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Ange Desinor)