FBCB2. Love it or hate it? Can it be better?

2014-08-02T21:53:05-04:00

We've all used it. What do you like about it and what do you hate about it? What would you do to make it better? Do you think it has made us better on the battlefield or serves as a crutch? What is your horror or success story?

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made Aug 2 at 2014 10:18 PM

2014-08-02T22:18:48-04:00

I used it every day in Iraq. I always connected with the RCTs or CLPs that drove on the MSRs or ASRs during missions to pass on information. There were days it had issues like, no ICONs for other units/vehicles or the screen would keep freezing. When it worked for me it was an asset. Too many times did it save us when FM comms, TACSAT, Iridium phone and HF Radios were out of reach and I had to send a message to higher up. Usually this went well however, there were plenty of times the messages wouldn't send or receive for hours.

The Army will always up grade technology and eventually a newer system will replace it. I haven't messed around with the system for a couple of years since. Overall, I liked it to some degree but, my radios were priority over FBCB2.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2014 10:54 PM

2014-08-02T22:54:04-04:00

I haven't used the upgraded system, but the older one prior to the addition of the encryption device was ok, for c2 and as an alternate means of communication.

Response by SPC Daniel Edwards made Aug 2 at 2014 11:09 PM

2014-08-02T23:09:07-04:00

got a love-hate relationship with it. we had huge technical problems when it came to communication but we didnt know if it was the actual system not sending or receiving or if the guy at the other end wasnt paying attention. the text message system was problem the best idea tho

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2014 11:13 PM

2014-08-02T23:13:37-04:00

Nothing beats the good ol fashion map, compass, protractor combo.

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Aug 3 at 2014 12:52 AM

2014-08-03T00:52:16-04:00

I remember using FBCB2 in Afghanistan in 2004-2005. I was a Scout PSG and had four gun trucks in my platoon. It took two missions for me to realize that my Senior Scout was using the FBCB2 to navigate...while we were rolling. We were missing turns and such and it was getting frustrating. My truck did not have FBCB2. There was only so many to go around at that time. So I switched trucks with him. I forced him to navigate the good old fashioned way...with a damn map. We didn't miss any turns or anything after that.

For us at the time, the FBCB2 was used to send up solid 10 digit grids when we were at a halt or we were in a coil for the night. Also, we used it as another means of communication with adjacent units and our higher using the FIPR.

I always did want to press the "Destroy the FBCB2 Now" button though. Never got around it making that happen...

Response by SSG Ed Mikus made Aug 3 at 2014 12:57 AM

2014-08-03T00:57:37-04:00

It could use improving, but i think it is a slow step in the right direction.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2014 11:40 AM

2014-08-03T11:40:12-04:00

I don't dislike it, but something a bit more modern wouldn't hurt. You can do a lot with the system it was just slow at times interface was bulky. I will say when our Transition Team was soooo far removed from everyone and had no radio coms i usually could reach someone on FBCB2.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 3 at 2014 12:12 PM

2014-08-03T12:12:57-04:00

Just like the radio, behind its time in the technology race. FBCB2 when working was a great asset. If you took time to get the training on it and paid attention during the class, there are many uses for it beyond getting a solid grid. Like most things in the army it starts at the top. If Brigade didn't know how to use it, it trickled down the line.

Having had to run the Troop TOC my last deployment it was generally the 1st means of non emergency communication, daily SITREPs, green 2s, logpac requests etc. The ability to create template messages made for (most the time) clear communication. Linking in with UAVs in the area, and getting their info for their imagry was pretty cool.

The problem is the battlefield for the general force is far behind the swing tech wise. I am talking about speed of the computer, clear coms on the radio. Much of this stems I believe from having to encrypt it all. On ride alongs with my buddy who is a Sherrifs deputy, they can be 20 miles out and over a mountain pass and talk back to base as if they are in the passenger seat. Problem is, anyone with a scanner can also hear it.

Until someone like Google teams up with the Military to help streamline satellite communication and imagry for the grunts on the ground, we will forever be 10 versions behind the general public.

Can only hope they are already doing that. Security first tho.