Category Archives: Warfighting

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A Sniper’s Relevancy

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The term “Sniper” became popular during WWI and the mystic appeal has grown since.  A single shot can be more devastating than a burst from a machine gun or artillery fire.  ATP 3-21.20 Infantry Battalion describes the sniper squad as the most tactically and technically proficient Infantry soldiers.  They are especially valuable when fighting an enemy that tries to blend in with the local population.  Snipers are most effective when leaders in the supported unit understand sniper teams’ capabilities, limitations, and tactical employment.  Unfortunately, many leaders don’t fully understand the benefits of using snipers to their fullest potential.  But this isn’t just the fault of commanders…we – the sniper squad leaders and community – own some of that blame.

Sniper team leader assesses the environment before executing a training scenario. U.S. Army photo submitted by the author.
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The CBRN RECCE Platoon

Training and Preparing for JRTC and Beyond

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In December 2017, as part of the 3BCT, 101st ABN (AASLT) Brigade Field Training Exercise, my Dismounted Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and (CBRN) Reconnaissance (RECCE) Platoon received a mission to support an infantry battalion task force air assault operation to seize an objective with an underground storage facility for chemical weapons. In planning and executing this training mission, we validated many aspects of our individual and team collective training leading up to this BCT collective training exercise. We also identified many of the challenges and gaps in our training both internal to the CBRN RECCE Platoon and ways the Brigade Engineer Battalion and the BCT could facilitate better training.

Army Reserve and National Guard soldiers; engineers; chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) specialists; as well as medical units conduct Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) training to help prepare them to respond to a CBRN catastrophe at home or abroad. (Sgt. 1st Class Brent Powell)

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How to Run a Range

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It seems so simple, which is likely why we mess it up so often. Running a small arms range is a basic task for any new lieutenant or platoon leader. And yet, leaders often fail to maximize these training events. I recently had a former soldier of mine, turned green-to-gold lieutenant, reach out to ask for advice as he prepared to plan and execute his first small arms range. Below is a version of the thoughts I sent back to him.

U.S. Army photo retrieved from the 82nd Airborne Division Facebook Page, December 14, 2020.
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The Brigade Battle Captain

An Informal Guide to an Informal Role

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Few officers arrive prepared to be a  battle captain and the Army doesn’t provide formal training for the position.  Although the role is typically an additional duty, the performance and experience of this single officer can have outsized impacts on unit effectiveness. A unit that invests even a little time in the selection and preparation of their battle captains will experience asymmetric returns. They will gain benefits in the immediate, upcoming operations as well as in the development of a future organizational leader. A well-trained and well-informed battle captain provides organizational flexibility, enables greater coordination among subordinate units, and empowers leaders to make better decisions.  

1-12 IN conducts Squad Situational Training Exercises (STX). U.S. Army Photo by Capt. Chelsea Hall.
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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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Snipers on the Modern Battlefield

Their Fundamentals, History, and Evolving Role

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After two decades of conflict, the sniper continues to be an underutilized asset on the battlefield. The problem that plagues the sniper community is: what is the definitive role of a sniper? The Operational Force has failed to define what they want out of a fully qualified sniper. In turn, it has put a tremendous strain on the Generating Force, which has to play catch up in order to sustain sniper training in the 21st century. 

Spc. Joseph Baker, Oklahoma National Guard, participated in the Stalk event. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Israel Sanchez)
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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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Leader Development in Contact

Introduction

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At the National Training Center, we spend time assisting units to build their understanding of doctrine, the operations process, the science of control, and the fundamentals our units must execute on the modern battlefield.  While critical to our success on future battlefields, some rotational units overlook the most critical element of combat power:  leadership.  

Lightning Forge 20 Night Air Assault. U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Sarah Sangster.
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Battlefield Leadership – From the Fort to the Front

The Power of Leadership at the Point of Contact

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If you’re an Army professional, you’ve probably experienced this scenario:  You’ve subscribed to a litany of military social media outlets and other mediums that perpetuate a nearly constant stream of leadership focused articles.  Each time one pops up, you open it…wondering what you can learn to become a better leader.  While many are helpful and provide niche comments on ways to improve, they often miss the primary point of Army leadership:  To inspire others to risk their lives to accomplish missions of importance to the Nation.

Lightning Forge 20 Night Air Assault. U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Sarah Sangster