Should field expedient demolition training be required for Cavalry Scouts again?

SSG Raymond Whitener — Sat, 12 Sep 2015 04:12:55 -0400

When I first became a Cavalry scout in 1996, I was taught how to defeat point type obstacles using field expedient bangalore torpedos and pop and drops. Its been over ten years since I last saw this training happen for scouts, should it come back to our training plans?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2015 4:25 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 12 Sep 2015 04:25:45 -0400

Absolutely! Who doesn’t love blowing stuff up and it is an added tactical advantage you can give your Soldiers.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2015 4:26 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 12 Sep 2015 04:26:16 -0400

Det cord, C4....? Sign me up! I have seen some demos and it was a ton of fun.

Response by SSG James Bigbie made Sep 12 at 2015 6:51 AM

SSG James Bigbie — Sat, 12 Sep 2015 06:51:42 -0400

You never know when demolitions may come in handy. Especially in a screen line or covering force mission.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Sep 12 at 2015 10:30 AM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Sat, 12 Sep 2015 10:30:04 -0400

Blowing stuff up is both fun and therapeutic

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2015 1:15 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 12 Sep 2015 13:15:49 -0400

I can speak for almost everyone when I say that would be freaking awesome!

Response by PV2 Harry Swensen made Sep 13 at 2015 12:21 AM

PV2 Harry Swensen — Sun, 13 Sep 2015 00:21:08 -0400

YES. I had the training in the late 80's and that gave me the confidence to defeat wire and other obstacles along with preparing various mine and C4 as impediments for the enemy, not to mention the training gave me the advantage of knowing what the enemy would have in store for me and my element.

Response by SSG Patrick Fitzgerald made Sep 14 at 2015 5:31 AM

SSG Patrick Fitzgerald — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 05:31:21 -0400

It should have never left. When I was a young scout those basic learning traits help me easily start thinking outside the box and be more effective with the less I had. Scouts have to train as experts in all fields. I think, What makes us older guys a little more effective is, we always trained and fought knowing the only support we had was each other and didn't rely on other MOS's, for the most part. Generally speaking... Plus, who doesn't want to blow shit up!!!

Response by CPL Jay Freeman made Sep 22 at 2015 11:25 AM

CPL Jay Freeman — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 11:25:15 -0400

In 99 we learned how to use c4 with both the delay fuse and clicker

Response by SGT Steven Riggan made Sep 29 at 2015 11:32 AM

SGT Steven Riggan — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 11:32:41 -0400

Scouts (should) already know how to do everyone's job, so I vote yes. When it comes to training, you can never have enough. Just remember the focus however. Combat for over a decade now has been unconventional, so training focus has leaned that way. I'm sure there are plenty of other tasks that have been phased out as well, but will make a return come peace time or if (when) we have a conventional force on force war in the future.

Response by SFC Dave Wynn made Jan 8 at 2016 8:21 PM

SFC Dave Wynn — Fri, 08 Jan 2016 20:21:26 -0500

When I entered in 1972 we were taught all the good stuff. We were taught to blow up bridges create a abates roadblock. I loved going to Graf and have day of demo training with my platoon. Playing with claymores and c-4. So yea they should

Response by COL John McClellan made May 8 at 2016 2:50 PM

COL John McClellan — Sun, 08 May 2016 14:50:10 -0400

Absoultely!! But there is a lot of cross-training between members of the combined-arms team that "should" be available, but limited time. one option we used pre-911 back in my BCT in Germany (I was in the supporting engineer Bn) was to provide the Scouts with a 2-man EN team!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2018 10:49 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 22:49:52 -0500

Yes it should, I was in back 87/90 we too had that training, scouts unlike many other units and nature of our jobs,you couldn't just call for some one, if you like to learn on the fly at a FAST pace,you like pt lots of running,and those late night walks around those hills, mountains and rivers or my favorite poisonous snakes.BUT ALL IN ALL, IF YOU WANT TO BELONG TO A UNEEK FAMILY ,THAT NO OTHER MOS KNOWS.THIS IS THE MOS FOR YOU. P.S THE STETSON IS ONE THAT YOU HAVE EARN YOURSEL. GOOD LUCK ON YOUR CHOICE.

Response by SGT Tomas "Huey" Husted made Mar 7 at 2018 8:07 PM

SGT Tomas "Huey" Husted — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 20:07:10 -0500

As a Cavalry Scout before the mid-seventies we were taught in the use of plastic explosives, tnt, prima cord and clay mores. It was good and very useful training. I think this type of training should be resumed. It saved lives.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 8 at 2018 10:45 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 10:45:06 -0500

If you don't have a CBT EN in your pocket, then Hell Yes., we did the same in Grunt land.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2018 4:49 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 04:49:18 -0400

Yes

Response by LTC Lance Headrick made Sep 7 at 2023 8:43 PM

LTC Lance Headrick — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 20:43:35 -0400

I didn't know they took it out. Sad. Used to cut trees with det cord and C4 to make hasty obstacles.

Response by SPC Vernon Trexler made Sep 10 at 2023 5:53 PM

SPC Vernon Trexler — Sun, 10 Sep 2023 17:53:54 -0400

we will learn fron past wars what we need to know in future wars.the more trying we get the better we are.dont know about civvy pop but let the military stay on top.we gotta be the best.we are visitors in foreign countries.we gotta set the best example