Train as you fight: Is it realistic?

2015-03-08T11:08:01-04:00

Anytime I ask why the Army does anything, the answer is "Train as you fight". I am a supply guy. I suggested ordering and receiving supplies in a more up to date way. Of course, someone said "Train as you fight".
Now, I think that motto is a good one, but I find it hard to do when all I need is T.P and green books. Has that motto been given to you, when it totally doesn't apply to the situation? I look forward to the laugh.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Mar 8 at 2015 11:15 AM

2015-03-08T11:15:59-04:00

I always learned it "You fight like you train" which means if you are lackadaisical in training, it will show when you are fighting. Or in computer programming terms "Garbage in, Garbage out."

You're only going to get out of training, what you put into it. So the idea of training hard, so you can fight hard makes sense.

On the supply side, I imagine you are talking about shifting to a more "just in time" delivery method?

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Mar 8 at 2015 11:41 AM

2015-03-08T11:41:18-04:00

Yes that is the is a philosophical answer and it was told to me many times. However, if you have a better way to do something make the process better submit to the https://asp.hqda.pentagon.mil/public/default.htm

Response by Cpl Michael Strickler made Mar 8 at 2015 12:28 PM

2015-03-08T12:28:24-04:00

Train as you fight does not sound to me like it applies here either. (I am not a supply guy either).

To me walmart idea sounds good, though I feel it should not be you going to walmart, it should be a unit representative to ensure that everything is budgeted, accounted for, not double bought, etc.

To apply train as you fight to me is two things. "KISS" (Keep it simple stupid) and "Slow is smooth, smooth is fast." In this situation KISS applies. Red tape, hoops, etc. are not simple. That is how mistakes are made and those mistakes lead to problems.