Training risk vs. Combat risk

2015-03-17T00:09:57-04:00

I understand being more risk averse during training. Would you agree that the standard for risk mitigation applied to training is incorrectly applied to combat operations, thus putting mission success in jeopardy?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2015 12:13 AM

2015-03-17T00:13:27-04:00

I am not suggesting we throw Service men and women's lives away without serious thought.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Mar 17 at 2015 12:43 AM

2015-03-17T00:43:59-04:00

Risk mitigation is part of the orders process. Training is usually mitigated to the extent it can be, but with some training the risk remains high and needs to be, as the intent is closely replicate actual combat. In combat, we still mitigate risk, but we can't mitigate everything, and the enemy always gets a vote.

Response by SFC Collin McMillion made Mar 17 at 2015 12:59 AM

2015-03-17T00:59:07-04:00

That's a tough question. I believe there are certain standards set for each branch, but where do we push, pull, change, or just pull the string. What we are facing isn't like up to Korea, every conflict we have now seems to require changes in all our skills and physical training. Urban, jungle, desert, the next I guess will be in space. We always run the risk of doing the wrong thing at the wrong time that can cost us. There is, in my opinion, just no way to address the set of standards until it's time and hope we did it right.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2015 4:14 AM

2015-03-17T04:14:20-04:00

Sir - I think sometimes we mitigate too much risk during training and I have seen it applied incorrectly during combat operations. It is hard for a commander to wrap his/her head around accepting prudent risk when in training we try to completely remove risk. That's what it has become, zero defect almost, we are so worried about someone being injured that we try to make it no risk.

You have a civilian "safety officer" in every BCT, if a kid stubs their toe you have to submit an AGAR. There is literally a five page multi task list of safety "stuff" that the unit safety officer has to ensure the unit is green on. The civilians are all over the training areas talking to commanders and 1SGs/CSMs like they are BCT/DIV commanders telling us what we can or can't do. Last time I checked civilians don't approve my units training?

I am not saying to just throw safety out the window but, too much of anything is never good for you.