How beneficial are the table four exams within the Air Defense Artillery units?

2016-07-28T15:39:20-04:00

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2016 3:43 PM

2016-07-28T15:43:41-04:00

Honestly the table IV tests are not beneficial at all. They really don't hold any value as the table VIII does. Drilling and doing table VIII are far more beneficial.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2016 9:13 PM

2016-07-28T21:13:19-04:00

Not at all! They are basic knowledge that anyone should know in that branch. And they are very repetitive! They should be Handa on testing with the Soldiers & also they are not directed towards OREs or anything of that sort! -SGT Parman, 14T

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2016 9:13 PM

2016-07-28T21:13:20-04:00

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2016 8:04 AM

2016-07-29T08:04:13-04:00

Table IV exams and low intensity Air Battles are extremely important as a benchmark of knowledge for an Air Defender. They are the starting point toward which each successful skill level builds on.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2016 9:25 PM

2016-07-29T21:25:16-04:00

If Table 4 tests aren't beneficial, it's because we're not making them beneficial as NCOs. Table 4 isn't an exam. It's evaluating basic tasks our Soldiers should know in their MOS.

PMCS is the building block of our jobs. That should be evaluated by NCOs. Not only will equipment break down if not done right, but crew members should be able to avoid a -3 because filling out a 5988 is a basic PFC task.

RFAs are important as well. Another Table 4 task that should be validated by NCOs. Tangos need to be able to power up, heat missiles, and prep to fire. Echos need to do initialization, baseline, TWUD, mapping, bring launchers in. That's the basics of our job. Come Table VIII time, crews fail assumption because they skipped those basic skills and just 'took a Table 4 test.'

ABML 5 (RAL 5). That's too easy. But when skipped, some operators can't identify what's on their scope of know how to navigate tabs.

The written test, those are supposed to be basic questions that any -10 level should know.

ALL OF THAT ABOVE OS TABLE 4. It's validating that your Soldiers know the basics of their job. We as NCOs need to teach the basics and validate all of that.

If Table 4 isn't any value, then we are probably just giving a 'study guide' to pass a 50 question test. But if it turns out our BN's Table 4 is a waste of time, I challenge my NCO to make it worth your Soldiers time.

If Table 4 is complete and it seemed worthless, those operator's job skills might just be worthless. Train the basics first... That we don't need to 'retrain' between Q1 and Q2...

Response by WO1(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2016 9:52 AM

2016-07-31T09:52:30-04:00

As a 14H I believe that they can be beneficial when they are updated and relevant to the way BCP ops are currently ran. At my current unit the first table IV test still had AMDWS questions, referenced a DRASH gen that we no longer used, amongst other things. While Soldiers train on new equipment and learn new skills, they had to study about outdated equipment and software. So if the tests are updated and a study quide or reference guide is provided then yes they are a great thing. But one thing that I do not understand is the 72 hour lockdown if you fail. You can use MRT all you want, but when you are locked down "hunting the good stuff" is kind of hard.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2016 6:36 PM

2016-08-17T18:36:27-04:00

Table IV exams are important. Within a quarter SMs need to be certified build that connection with EMMO surprising what that can do (Distinguished Crew Qatar 2014-15). However, it lacks where Avengers & Sentinals got it right with the competitiveness. We conducted all tables with a goal to shoot a plane down with the 50. Cal or Stinger if lucky!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2016 9:48 PM

2016-09-11T21:48:31-04:00

In my more than 6 years working as a Master Evaluator, I can say without a doubt that they help to increase beginner knowledge. Studying the doctrine rather than studying just to pass the test are what make great air defenders. The key to this is of course not having tests that attempt to play stump the chump and stick to the proper level of knowledge. If the test maker takes it a step further and uses it as a building block towards higher level evaluations it works even better.

Response by SSG Phillip Butler made May 22 at 2017 2:38 PM

2017-05-22T14:38:52-04:00

Probably makes troop's aware of the task at hand