Posted on Jan 25, 2014
Do you believe our current Basic combat training needs to be revamped?
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With all our experience as a military why is our current Basic Combat Training still not reflecting the needs of our military. We have added some simple things like convoy operations, and IED recognition but the rifle ranges are basically the same as when i joined in 2002. I am currently assigned to a Battalion that is changing the way we train a little at a time and the results are amazing. simple changes to how we train the Soldiers in the classroom, and how we handle their learning have made some significant changes in the the trains knowledge and performance. Unfortunately we are the only ones doing this and its a shame more units are not following our example.
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Basic Training
Training
Basic Training Training
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 17
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Honestly, I think that BCT is too broad of a course. BCT should focus on the basic things that need to be accomplished to make you a functional soldier. Imagine if you were sent a soldier that was and expert marksman, 270+ PT and knew how to talk and function in a military environment( i.e saluting, basic D&C). Everything after that should be unit training. I am in aviation so room clearing, IEDs and convoys are absolute waste of time and energy for 90% of soldiers in that branch. I say strip out everything besides shooting, PT, customs and courtesies and D&C. Take the money saved and give it to the AIT units to conduct better job training.
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MSG (Join to see)
You sound like a Drill Sergeant :) And if your not you should be one. You hit the nail on the head!
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SFC (Join to see)
i tell my recruits that besides all the events they complete I am looking for a Soldier that can operate as a member of a team, show up motivated every day, is a self starter, has discipline, shows a understanding of military customs and courtesies, and is always willing to learn. Living up to the Army values is a learned trait. Most of us grew up with different values so as long as they show a honest attempt to learn our ways I am happy. all of the other stuff like a great PT score and marksmanship can be continuously worked on.
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<p>Go back to basics and I don't mean bayonets and boot shinning. We are not training Rangers or Paratroopers here. This is Basic Combat Training. There are a million good idea's floating around here and I have to take those good ideas every 10 weeks and change our training plan and it is frustrating!! Why do Soldiers need to do range cards as a private? Why do we teach NBC but then when we take them in gas chamber they keep there mask on? Why do we teach Advanced Rifle Marksmanship to a 60 man Platoon with only 15 pairs of NVG's with 15 sets of optics. Why do we continue to throw hand grenades? What are the real chances of a 42A even being issued a hand grenade. Who can honestly put a pro mask on in 9 seconds. Those are just some things to think about. If you want that old school physically fit soldier who is disciplined and ready to train then take all this extra crap out and go back to letting the Drill Sergeant be the Drill Sergeant.<br></p><p><br></p><p> </p>
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MSG (Join to see)
Its sad sir but its true. If Private Snuffy has a hurt Shoulder, and he says Drill Sergeant my shoulder hurts I can't wear my gear to train today. Well I have two options: 1. Shut up Soldier put your gear on and train, you will be ok. Or 2. Ok Soldier go to sick call and get a profile and sit out training today. Instead of training go watch weapons or sit in shade. I will always pick number 2 over 1. Why? Because if I push the Soldier to hard, and he really get's hurt then my Army career is over due to trainee abuse. Any smart Drill Sergeant will coddle a Private these days then they will risk putting joe in an uncomfortable position and getting in trouble for it. When your Chain Of Command takes a Privates word over his Drill Sergeants then your power base is broken, there for you see privates doing what they want, with Drill Sergeants trying to AVOID the trail or just do there time as best they can and move on to the next assignment.
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SPC (Join to see)
Sir, I went to "Relaxin' Jackson" for BCT and I never saw pizza or soda. We did adhere to the training doctrine in terms of what we could or could not do in a certain heat level but we never canceled the training we had planned, it was more along the lines of "take off your IBAs" or "loosen your sleeves and untuck your pants." There were plenty of times we had AGRs in the rain, it sucked but it made me feel pretty hooah so I wasn't complaining. I do think the Army has gotten a little soft with what they do or do not allow inside of training but I think your experience may have been an isolated event, Sir. Furthermore I am in agreement with you on the comment of "recruits being 'nudged' into soldiers." It is disheartening that the standard for both training and recruits has dropped, more or less I am still proud to put on the uniform, Sir. I hope I have shown you that while the standard has lowered, your situation doesn't accurately represent BCT in whole. Maybe my company was the outlier though and I'm wrong!
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As a former Drill Sergeant and current First Sergeant I say absolutely! The Army is and always will be consistently changing and adapting to it's mission and the needs of our Army. Changing TSPs is often a lengthy and often frustrating function of TRADOC but as always when units recognize good training and the needs to adapt training to focus on the current operational environment TRADOC is more than willing to make TSP and POI changes. Reading your changes, which are great ones with the Army winding down operations in Afghanistan do you think we should continue to train convoy live fires and IED identification TTPs?
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SFC (Join to see)
1SG,
I absolutely agree that as the operations in Afghanistan wind down that our overall training drive needs to be changed and updated. However, IEDs and insurgent activity are not going away. I feel it is important to still main training on these aspects but not as a main focus. It has been a decade if not more since we've seen any kind of Mechanized/Conventional warfare. Since that was not been something we were facing, all the training fell to the waste side and yet again we almost to the point where we are reactively trying to play catch up. My only fear is that we will repeat history and the lessons learned in the last 13 years will be forgotten.
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