Posted on Nov 17, 2015
What's your best example of high-speed & low-budget training?
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Some time ago I participated in the Best Sapper competition. One of the stations had a GP Medium and a CLS bag in font of it. The OC says, "Take the bag, go inside and react to what you see." Inside the tent is no light, a boom box playing some kind of death metal, and 3-4 casualties with various wounds thrashing around. The task is to stabilize the casualties and CASEVAC the most critically wounded. On the other side of the tent was a concertina obstacle field to navigate.
That was one of the coolest pieces of training I've ever participated in. It was low budget and a squad could do it. I think about that a lot and compare with the times I've seen first aid training be a crate of old pressure dressings and a green skill level 1 book that someone is reading out of.
Whats your example of high speed low budget training? (Pic Related)
That was one of the coolest pieces of training I've ever participated in. It was low budget and a squad could do it. I think about that a lot and compare with the times I've seen first aid training be a crate of old pressure dressings and a green skill level 1 book that someone is reading out of.
Whats your example of high speed low budget training? (Pic Related)
Training
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Platoon Sergeant
Platoon Leader
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 22
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I'll preface this by fully admitting I'm an oddball and likely hold a minority opinion in this. I like running around in the woods. Land nav was always a favorite of mine and doesn't require much in the way of a budget. To the end of my days I will never forget going through Fort Bragg's land nav course at night during a tropical storm. You'd think they'd pause training. You'd be wrong, and unlike the rest of my peers I was having a blast feeling like a true soldier.
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SSG Robert Webster
SGT (Join to see) - Were you on one of the Ft Bragg Courses, or were you on the big course out at Camp Mackall?
SGT Robertson has a point, it is how you look at the training. His example is a good one, Land Navigation is an excellent and easy place to start. It is also about how you go about the training and its implementation. To enthuse your soldiers on this subject, turn it into a competition. Style Land Navigation training as Orienteering, Geocaching, or some other façade to make the activity more enjoyable. Do not forget or be afraid to switch things around and combine various aspects of other types of training into the mix.
Also think about mixing training with other types of units, such as Infantry and Engineers, think about the possibilities if you set your mind to it. Everyone likes to make things go BOOM! A lot of people like water activities (Infantryman and Medics - get your mind out of the gutter).
One thing that some of you will need to brush up on and it is a good method of transition training to boot; Be able to explain the purpose and style of training to your chain of command and subordinates. Along the lines of task, conditions, and standards and be able to switch between strictly military terms and the appropriate civilianized terms.
One other thing, not all training has to be conducted in full battle rattle.
SGT Robertson has a point, it is how you look at the training. His example is a good one, Land Navigation is an excellent and easy place to start. It is also about how you go about the training and its implementation. To enthuse your soldiers on this subject, turn it into a competition. Style Land Navigation training as Orienteering, Geocaching, or some other façade to make the activity more enjoyable. Do not forget or be afraid to switch things around and combine various aspects of other types of training into the mix.
Also think about mixing training with other types of units, such as Infantry and Engineers, think about the possibilities if you set your mind to it. Everyone likes to make things go BOOM! A lot of people like water activities (Infantryman and Medics - get your mind out of the gutter).
One thing that some of you will need to brush up on and it is a good method of transition training to boot; Be able to explain the purpose and style of training to your chain of command and subordinates. Along the lines of task, conditions, and standards and be able to switch between strictly military terms and the appropriate civilianized terms.
One other thing, not all training has to be conducted in full battle rattle.
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SGT (Join to see)
SSG Robert Webster, I honestly have no idea which course I was on. I was visiting Fort Bragg from Fort Riley for EFMB training.
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SSG Robert Webster
SGT (Join to see) - Thanks that answers my question. You were probably on the Land Navigation Course in Area J. (All of you Paratroopers out there, no remarks about the Keys to Area J.) This is the one that was also used as an Orienteering Course, when they had those competitions. The other alternative would be the NCO Academy Land Navigation Course. That is if they have not changed things too drastically in the past 20 years.
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At the company or platoon level, conduct a no notice roll out. The evaluator issues a Frago. The leaders then have to do the TLPs and issue an order. The master Frago needs to be written and checked by others so it hits all the tasks you want to do. If done right, the unit can roll out, practice convoying, reporting, checkpoints, mounted navigation, map reading, security halts, drivers training, quartering party, establish unit area, bug out plan etc. plus it validates unit maintenance and gets lowest level ownership of their equipment since they will be stranded with it. Recovery could also be planned or unplanned. You can kill off leaders to thrust others into leadership positions, especially those with a big mouth or that complain a lot.
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SGT (Join to see)
SSG Robert Webster - It sounds good, but I don't think it's realistic with how the Army is today with budget cuts, personnel shortages etc...also you have to show that your unit can effectively mobilize on moments notice FIRST before you can talk about planning high speed training in some remote training area. Don't wanna throw the proverbial cart before the horse...
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SSG Robert Webster
SGT (Join to see) - That is definitely an interesting comment about cost from both you and LTC Mackay. Let me give you some background information about why I stated the two locations and the type of training mentioned.
I joined the Army in 1976. Note that between 1975 and 1980, readiness was at dangerously low levels. During the 1970s the military budget was cut to bare bones and manning was at extremely low levels (an example was an infantry squad with 5 members instead of the 11 members that at that time it constituted). We also had low levels of moral and had severe problems with discipline. And we had to deal with the consequences of the 73 and 79 oil crisis.
During this time period, we had to work through and around these types of issues.
During this time there were resourceful leaders in a number of units though-out the Army and the rest of the Armed Services. Two of the company commanders that I had during this time period were able to overcome these obstacles and provide training experiences that few would try to replicate. One of these was an off post exercise from Fort Bragg to Fort Lewis and Crystal Mountain Ski Resort (at the time the ski resort had a use agreement with Fort Lewis). The second that I will mention was an off post exercise from Fort Bragg to Fort Carson (for Mountaineering training). What those company commanders did was to leverage the minimum training requirements and needs of several commands and services. In both instances the commanders were able to leverage the fact that the Air Force was rotating aircraft from the various transport units between there home stations and support missions and melded our needs with theirs, that took care of the cost aspect since the aircraft had to be moved, air crews needed the training and certification aspects, and we needed the airborne operations to stay current for pay purposes. Next we were able to use either our own personnel or other units personnel that were already qualified to assist in providing the training, i.e. we were able to use our personnel that had attended or had been instructors at the Northern Warfare Training Center; or we were able to coordinate our training with the training needs of Special Forces. Take a look around, where is certain types of "fun" training normally conducted - skiing, mountaineering, water operations, etc.. With appropriate planning, being resourceful in leveraging the needs of other units or services, amazing, fun, moral boosting, "high speed" training can be accomplished with minimal cost to all involved. Take a look around, you might be surprised at what you can find, if you just think a little outside the box of current thinking. Looking at the past is not always such a bad thing, when there are lessons to be learned. Especially in the forth coming days of possible austerity.
I forgot to mention that this was in the 82nd Abn Div. Where then and now EDREs, call outs are second nature. I should also mention that I spent all but 3 years in either the 82nd, the on call Abn Company in Panama, and the JSA. So 2 hour recalls were the norm for me. And for Korea the JSA has the quickest standup time for the entire peninsula.
I joined the Army in 1976. Note that between 1975 and 1980, readiness was at dangerously low levels. During the 1970s the military budget was cut to bare bones and manning was at extremely low levels (an example was an infantry squad with 5 members instead of the 11 members that at that time it constituted). We also had low levels of moral and had severe problems with discipline. And we had to deal with the consequences of the 73 and 79 oil crisis.
During this time period, we had to work through and around these types of issues.
During this time there were resourceful leaders in a number of units though-out the Army and the rest of the Armed Services. Two of the company commanders that I had during this time period were able to overcome these obstacles and provide training experiences that few would try to replicate. One of these was an off post exercise from Fort Bragg to Fort Lewis and Crystal Mountain Ski Resort (at the time the ski resort had a use agreement with Fort Lewis). The second that I will mention was an off post exercise from Fort Bragg to Fort Carson (for Mountaineering training). What those company commanders did was to leverage the minimum training requirements and needs of several commands and services. In both instances the commanders were able to leverage the fact that the Air Force was rotating aircraft from the various transport units between there home stations and support missions and melded our needs with theirs, that took care of the cost aspect since the aircraft had to be moved, air crews needed the training and certification aspects, and we needed the airborne operations to stay current for pay purposes. Next we were able to use either our own personnel or other units personnel that were already qualified to assist in providing the training, i.e. we were able to use our personnel that had attended or had been instructors at the Northern Warfare Training Center; or we were able to coordinate our training with the training needs of Special Forces. Take a look around, where is certain types of "fun" training normally conducted - skiing, mountaineering, water operations, etc.. With appropriate planning, being resourceful in leveraging the needs of other units or services, amazing, fun, moral boosting, "high speed" training can be accomplished with minimal cost to all involved. Take a look around, you might be surprised at what you can find, if you just think a little outside the box of current thinking. Looking at the past is not always such a bad thing, when there are lessons to be learned. Especially in the forth coming days of possible austerity.
I forgot to mention that this was in the 82nd Abn Div. Where then and now EDREs, call outs are second nature. I should also mention that I spent all but 3 years in either the 82nd, the on call Abn Company in Panama, and the JSA. So 2 hour recalls were the norm for me. And for Korea the JSA has the quickest standup time for the entire peninsula.
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SGT (Join to see)
SSG Robert Webster - That's good info and background, you should consider writing your own blog about your experiences
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I set up a series of sequential training in local communities to get my Civil Affairs bubbas some experience interacting with real people and agendas. It started out as assessment/ engagement training, but by the time we really got rolling, we were able to really help some of these communities with some of issues they were having.
Case in point, a small town in Central Minnesota decided that their tornado siren was inadequate, as most of the residents lived in farms away from the town core. They had set aside money for years, but something had always happened to siphon away the funds. A police car needed replacing. A water pump broke. That pothole on Main Street just kept coming back every year. One of my teams engaged some city officials and an enterprising Sergeant shared some information we had learned from a nearby community in the same county that had applied for federal grants for some public safety issues there. An even more enterprising Specialist found applications online for State and Federal grants and provided them, along with POCs that helped small towns with applying for matching funds. One year later, we went back to the same community and it was sporting a new tornado siren that had been built with 75% matching funds and grants from the state of Minnesota and DHS.
There have been few AAMs that I have been prouder to write and see pinned on.
The beauty of it was that it cost us nothing but some fuel, it gave my Soldiers some tremendous experience (not to mention intense pride and accomplishment), built some esprit, and actually helped the communities we were associating with. We had taught a community to fish, and I had taught my Soldiers how to teach them to fish by being resourceful.
It doesn't get any better than that.
Case in point, a small town in Central Minnesota decided that their tornado siren was inadequate, as most of the residents lived in farms away from the town core. They had set aside money for years, but something had always happened to siphon away the funds. A police car needed replacing. A water pump broke. That pothole on Main Street just kept coming back every year. One of my teams engaged some city officials and an enterprising Sergeant shared some information we had learned from a nearby community in the same county that had applied for federal grants for some public safety issues there. An even more enterprising Specialist found applications online for State and Federal grants and provided them, along with POCs that helped small towns with applying for matching funds. One year later, we went back to the same community and it was sporting a new tornado siren that had been built with 75% matching funds and grants from the state of Minnesota and DHS.
There have been few AAMs that I have been prouder to write and see pinned on.
The beauty of it was that it cost us nothing but some fuel, it gave my Soldiers some tremendous experience (not to mention intense pride and accomplishment), built some esprit, and actually helped the communities we were associating with. We had taught a community to fish, and I had taught my Soldiers how to teach them to fish by being resourceful.
It doesn't get any better than that.
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The old CLS Course was pretty good IMO. My instructor had us do some lane training going through an obstacle course the last day. I really enjoyed that course.
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Reporting and Call for fire training. You will need: two man pad radios, two maps (optional), cotton balls, 3 colors of yarn (optional) , kite string, tent pegs, army men, 3x5 cards, a sharpie, e tool, laminated call for fire card. You will need someone to role play the FDC. This can also be adapted for CAS if you have a JTAC or someone familiar with CAS.
Take the kite string and tent pegs, lay out 1' x 1' squares. Pick a section of the map and make the terrain depicted with the e tool and yarn. Label the grid lines with the 3x5 cards. The trainer puts different enemy situations on the terrain model. The student makes the SALUTE report, then requests fire by grid method over the radio. The trainer then drops dome cotton balls on the terrain model, the student adjusts, fires for effect etc.
Add a VGS 17 panel, one smoke grenade (optional) and chemlights you can do 9 lines the same way and have other students establish the HLZ.
Take the kite string and tent pegs, lay out 1' x 1' squares. Pick a section of the map and make the terrain depicted with the e tool and yarn. Label the grid lines with the 3x5 cards. The trainer puts different enemy situations on the terrain model. The student makes the SALUTE report, then requests fire by grid method over the radio. The trainer then drops dome cotton balls on the terrain model, the student adjusts, fires for effect etc.
Add a VGS 17 panel, one smoke grenade (optional) and chemlights you can do 9 lines the same way and have other students establish the HLZ.
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LTC Jason Mackay
I learned Call for Fire that way, except the second time my Troop Commander threw sharpies at me while I did it to replicate incoming fire.
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I am fan of Task and performance measures. I would put something together that is related to your MOS. For infantry it would involve Range Card, Sector Sketches, building fighting positions, or just some general knowledge stuff. I will say that you have to have a means to evaluate the effectiveness of the training. So many times we train just to train. We don't train to improve. It would really depend of your MOS to what you would do.
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I spent about $40 on various items to rig up an IED lane, I parked my truck in a maintenance bay and rigged it up to look like it was a booby trapped bomb builder's workshop. I had a few loud buzzers and party poppers rigged up. I told my guys to go in and call out what they see. Then we had a discussion about some of what was there and what was not, but should be.
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I used to run a Night Land Nav course. The rules were simple.
1) Drive the guys around for 30~ mins in the back of a dark HMMWV
2) Here is a Map. Here is a compass.
3) Get back to your room. I catch you on a road, you get back in the HMMWV and you start over.
It was 100% terrain association based on "lost in the woods." Everyone was within 10~ miles of the Camp. You can see the ridgeline, which meant that if you were that lost, you just climb the mountain (:O). Those who got back soonest got the most sleep.
1) Drive the guys around for 30~ mins in the back of a dark HMMWV
2) Here is a Map. Here is a compass.
3) Get back to your room. I catch you on a road, you get back in the HMMWV and you start over.
It was 100% terrain association based on "lost in the woods." Everyone was within 10~ miles of the Camp. You can see the ridgeline, which meant that if you were that lost, you just climb the mountain (:O). Those who got back soonest got the most sleep.
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MAJ (Join to see)
I think I like this one the most, when I was an E4 Mounted Air Defense guy my Platoon Sergeant would have chow at a 6 digit coordinate. To eat we'd have to do mounted land nav and find it. No PLGR's (DAGR) on hand made it pretty interesting.
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Weapon assembly time trials. Crew served weapons and a crate at one end, individual weapons at the other. Divide the squad into two teams, one team at each end.
Team 1 disassembles the individual weapons dropping the parts into the crate while team 2 is disassembling the crew served weapons and doing the same. When finished, the man at each end runs to the opposite end and reassembles what the other guy just took apart and tags the next guy who starts the process over. when everyone has disassembled one end and assembled the other, reverse the order for round two. Use a stopwatch and reward the winning squad.
Team 1 disassembles the individual weapons dropping the parts into the crate while team 2 is disassembling the crew served weapons and doing the same. When finished, the man at each end runs to the opposite end and reassembles what the other guy just took apart and tags the next guy who starts the process over. when everyone has disassembled one end and assembled the other, reverse the order for round two. Use a stopwatch and reward the winning squad.
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MAJ (Join to see)
Thats pretty cool, I remember doing some of these type things (minus the relay) in 2ID. Did this with cam netting once. Lost my watch forever inside a pole bag.
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