Category Archives: Training

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Handling Disinformation in your Formation

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The prevalence and pervasiveness of disinformation, and its effect on the force is a polarizing topic. Call it what you would like: fake news, propaganda, information warfare etc. The fact remains that disinformation has seeped into not only civil society, but within our formations. Right now, in your unit area, there are soldiers and leaders with their necks craned-downward – either sitting down or leaning against a wall – staring at his/her smartphone and scrolling through social media pages. Embedded amongst the benign posts by friends, fitness pages and news outlets, is malign disinformation.  Some disinformation is specifically designed to target service members, or public perceptions of the military. Disinformation is often skillfully designed to look legitimate and is difficult to counter. Disinformation poses a threat to unit cohesion may create mindset that runs counter to the Army Ethic. Legitimate beliefs become morphed into polarizing, divisive actions.

Social media is an operational environment and our soldiers are there often…are you training and preparing them for the enemy they will face? (U.S. Army photo by Robert Timmons, Fort Jackson Public Affairs Office)
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Lest the Guns Fall Silent

Ammunition Management in the Field Artillery

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It’s difficult to admit, but field artillery (FA) battalions in brigade combat teams (BCT) are struggling to manage their ammo. As observers at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC), we witnessed units fight to supply their gunlines with rounds. While no operation ever goes perfectly, ammunition management is a fight BCTs cannot afford to lose.

Paratroopers from 4th Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, position 105mm munitions to be loaded into an M119A3 Howitzer during exercise “Iron Triangle 20,” at the Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, May 27, 2020. The battalion-wide exercise is part of an annual certification of the artillery battalion’s capabilities and competencies. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Christopher Stewart)
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Recognize the Box to Think Outside of It

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The US Army is the most lethal military force in history. The world views our tactics and techniques as precise and lethal. We execute these battle drills without hesitation because of countless hours of repetition, perfecting these techniques. Unfortunately, NCOs have been known to teach shortcuts and standing operating procedures (SOP) that were once taught to us early on in our careers.  Although SOPs are stemmed from doctrine, over time they begin to manifest into “tribal knowledge” and skills are passed along from generation to generation by word of mouth. Throughout our army career, we hear the saying, “this is how we did it at my last unit.” The downfall of continuing this mantra is that we can pass along bad habits or outdated information. We need to know our playbooks (Army manuals) if we are to implement any kind of “audible” on the field.

USASC cadre evaluating the M2010 record fire qualification for doctrinal updates.
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Reflections During Quarantine

How Leaders Adapt and Develop

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Quarantine. It disrupts our sanity and results in day drinking, homeschooling, Zoom meetings, and TikTok challenges. For me, a mandatory quarantine in the desert provided an opportunity for self-development. While COVID-19 became a global pandemic, I watched as novel obstacles confounded long-established systems. Yet despite the surprising fragility of our societal constructs, people and organizations adjusted to our “new normal.” By observing this resiliency, I solidified a core belief: the leader who adapts earns the opportunity to develop.

Soldiers stand in formation while wearing masks and maintaining physical distancing during reception before entering basic combat training May 14, 2020, on Fort Sill, Okla. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Dustin D. Biven)
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So You Have a Sniper Problem?

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Months after leaving Battalion Command, a former sniper of ours reached out to me for advice. He had just PCSd to a new unit and joined the their reconnaissance platoon. In his assessment, the battalion’s sniper section was non-existent and the unit’s advanced marksmanship program was uninspired. To make matters worse, the unit was deploying in about a year. He saw an opportunity in that the unit was about to receive the Army’s newly fielded M2010s, which he had already mastered in our unit. What follows is the advice I gave him over the course of a few emails. I have added additional ideas recently provided by my coauthor, Sgt. 1st Class Brian Moran who has been my trusted advisor for years on this topic.

U.S. Army photo by Cav Scout and NTC O/C/T Master Sgt. Luis Coriano at luis-coriano.pixel.com and on IG @coris_fine_photography
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Training in the time of COVID-19

A Line Platoon's Experience

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As I worked the last few days of my short stint as an assistant S3, I could hardly contain the enthusiasm for the plans I had envisioned for my platoon. On the training calendar were numerous Live Fire Exercises (LFX) and Field Training Exercises (FTX) lined up to support mentoring and development of the young soldiers in 1st Platoon, Assault Company, 1-8th Infantry Regiment, 3ABCT, 4ID. COVID-19 had other plans.

Members of 5th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, patrol in the woods during a day of training at the gas chamber on Fort Sill, Oklahoma, May 14, 2020. Soldiers were required to wear face coverings when not wearing their gas masks. (Sgt. Amanda Hunt/Army)