Tag Archives: Warfighting

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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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ACFT Calculator & Tracker

A New Systems Tool on The Rucksack

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With the introduction of the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT), tracking the performance of our soldiers has become even more important in tailoring our unit physical training plans.  With proper analysis we will be able to identify weak spots in our PT plans and strengthen them.  Although this was possible with the APFT, with only three events, it was harder to identify trends.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Daniel R. Walrath, commanding general of U.S. Army South, performs the three repetition maximum deadlift during an Army Combat Fitness Test on Joint Base San Antonio – Fort Sam Houston, Texas, Jan. 24, 2021. The Army Combat Fitness Test will better connect fitness with combat readiness for all Soldiers. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Joshua Taeckens)
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Reconnaissance Guidance (SBCT Recon)

The Company Leader TDG 19-11

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No rest for the wicked…nor for the recon squadron. After a 24-hour fight for Ujen and Razish, the infantry squadrons are consolidating and reorganizing. They are establishing defensive positions and preparing for the 111th BTG’s integrated attack. The regimental staff is conducting MDMP and developing their operations order. Regiment published WARNORD 1 last night. As the sun rises over the central corridor of Donovian occupied Atropia, the Brigade Headquarters is preparing to publish WARNORD 2 – plenty of time for the infantry squadrons before their BPT defend mission. But, to the recon squadron WARNORD 2 means it is time to cross LD.

(U.S. Army Photo retrieved from 3rd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division Facebook Page.)
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What Is Commander’s Reconnaissance Guidance?

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Soon the Army’s cavalry scouts will be called upon to execute reconnaissance on the multi-domain battlefield (MDB). We will face enemy forces who possess peer-level capabilities across most, if not all, warfighting functions. Now, more than ever, the ability to execute mission command and disciplined initiative is critical to successful execution of combat operations. For the scout, this requires reliable operational graphics and a well-crafted commander’s reconnaissance guidance. The scenario below is a hypothetical portrayal of cavalry scouts operating in a near future combat environment with clear guidance and graphics.

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Rearm and Refuel (ABCT Logistics)

The Company Leader TDG 19-10

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The radio squawks in your combat trains command post (CTCP) as you listen in on the battalion net. “DREADNAUGHT 6 this is ORPHANS 6, we low on fuel.” One by one, the company commanders report in that they are low on Class III. Your battalion, 2-34 Armor, 1st ABCT, 1st ID, has been engaged in a continuous decisive action fight for the previous 72 hours. There have been lulls, but the last 24 hours just outside of Razish along the central corridor wasn’t one of them. As the battalion commander says “Break, Break, Break,” over the radio, you know what is going to come next. Logistics are taking center-stage and operations can’t continue without more fuel–you reach for the radio as your mind starts turning over for a plan.

“Thumbs up” means fuel it up. 1st CAV Sustainment Brigade controls the flow of fuel during Refuel on the Move (ROM) in support of 2nd ABCT during Pegasus Forge IV on Fort Hood, Texas, Feb. 2, 2019. Refueling operations enable maneuver units longer operational reach and provides combatant commanders battlefield endurance during long-distance movements. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Ashleigh E. Torres)
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Operationalizing the Battle Staff in Garrison

Part IV: Prepare for Friction

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Our AARs largely focus how internal systems and processes respond to the challenges of planning and operating at distance, on difficult terrain, in constrained timelines. This was consistent throughout the nearly 120 after action reviews (AARs) I facilitated at the National Training Center (NTC). Most friction is inflicted by units upon themselves or by the overwhelming size and difficulty of the environment. We mitigate self-induced friction by building cohesive teams, establishing common processes and procedures, and refining them through practice (see Parts I,II, and III). We can mitigate the friction imposed by the environment by replicating those factors during home station training events. This final installment of Training Your Battle Staff in Garrison focuses on a few simple ways to replicate the challenges of the Decisive Action environment in existing home station training events.

Photo By Sgt. Timothy Massey | Tanks set in the field at dawn during the Bull Run 10 exercise in Orzysz, Poland, Sept. 19.
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Clearing Al-Baqqah (ABCT Urban Attack)

The Company Leader TDG 19-09

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“We really need to develop a better urban training facility,” you thought as you reviewed the imagery of the city. These weren’t connexes back on Fort Benning. Your armored company team has been in Erbyk, a NATO allied partner nation that was invaded by hostile Sermania, for the past three-months. And while you’ve been clearing small urban villages, you are now on the outskirts of Al-Baqqah, a dense urban environment in the heart of Erbyk. The OSRVT feed continues to provide real-time activity in Al-Baqqah as your company headquarters observes patterns of life. ”Chaos 6, this is Cottonbaler 6–change of mission to follow, prepare to copy.”

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Comms Down (IBCT PLT Attack)

The Company Leader TDG 19-08

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It’s dark and humid; sweat drips down your face as you collect your thoughts and reach for your RTO. Your platoon landed at the proper DZ; your squad leaders and platoon sergeant are establishing security. But for the last 15 minutes you haven’t been able to reach anyone on the radio. Comms are down. You and your platoon are behind enemy lines with just the equipment you jumped-in. “Sir, 100% accountability confirmed and security is set. We have to start moving; what’s the call?”

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U.S. Army soldiers prepare to jump from a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft during a forcible entry exercise over Fort Bragg, N.C., April 29, 2010. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Robertson.
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Defend the Pass (SBCT BN Defense)

The Company Leader TDG 19-07

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You are the Battalion AS-3 (Assistant Operations Officer) in 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment (SBCT). Your battalion recently seized Ujen and established security in the city. But before you can transition authority to the Atropian Government, your Brigade S2 reports enemy massing north of Granite Pass. The 111th BTG is amassing forces and preparing for a counter-attack after your brigade’s successful operations in the central corridor. Your battalion commander and S3 return from the Brigade OPORD Brief having conducted a reconnaissance of the objective and with the mission: defend. They are ready to give you your planning guidance. Prepare to copy.

Soldiers from 111th Infantry, 56th SBCT, conduct a night live-fire during Exercise Decisive Strike 2019 at the Training Support Centre, Krivolak, North Macedonia, June 11, 2019. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Frances Ariele Tejada)
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Tactical Exercises from Across the Pond

A Repository of Australian TDEs from The Junior Tactician

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One of the coolest aspects of engaging in the online professional development space is learning from fellow practitioners I would not otherwise have met. Among these are leaders from our outstanding allies on the other side of the globe. There are too many leaders and forums to mention, but here are a few: Maj. Gen. Mick Ryan, Mick Cook, Tom McDermott, the UK’s Army Leader, and–most recently–the Junior Tactician. Our mutual dedication to the profession of arms unites us—as does our love of a good tactical decision game.