- Reaction score
- 10,179
- Points
- 1,260
https://www.benning.army.mil/infantry/magazine/issues/2019/Summer/pdf/6_PF_VanWie.pdf
A good article from Infantry. Interesting use of data by the authors. Their thesis is kind of "well no s**t, Sherlock" in that more practice and experience in the vehicle leads to more effective turret engagements.
Of note, the authors recommend that the Infantry adopts a mech-specific MOS or makes senior NCM positions in mech units (Pl NCO or higher) require mandatory previous experience in mech units. In Canada, the Infantry Corps recently reviewed its employment structure, and avoided either of these COAs for mech forces due to the lack of flexibility they impose on career management. The authors also state that new Infantry Officers should be sent to a Bradley Leaders Course before arriving at battalion - in Canada, we do this with the way our Officer progression is structured, requiring all Infantry Officers to pass the IODP 1.2 Mechanized Platoon Commander Course before being considered at Operational Functional Point (OFP) and being posted to a battalion.
This means mechanized leaders have to think of other ways to ensure their crews receive optimal training. Infantry Battalions probably have to consider ways of separating their dismounted and mounted elements for training, and determining when to "meet in the middle" and combine after crews have gained a level of proficiency in the turret and the sections/platoons have gained a degree of proficiency with their hands-and-feet skills.
A good article from Infantry. Interesting use of data by the authors. Their thesis is kind of "well no s**t, Sherlock" in that more practice and experience in the vehicle leads to more effective turret engagements.
Of note, the authors recommend that the Infantry adopts a mech-specific MOS or makes senior NCM positions in mech units (Pl NCO or higher) require mandatory previous experience in mech units. In Canada, the Infantry Corps recently reviewed its employment structure, and avoided either of these COAs for mech forces due to the lack of flexibility they impose on career management. The authors also state that new Infantry Officers should be sent to a Bradley Leaders Course before arriving at battalion - in Canada, we do this with the way our Officer progression is structured, requiring all Infantry Officers to pass the IODP 1.2 Mechanized Platoon Commander Course before being considered at Operational Functional Point (OFP) and being posted to a battalion.
This means mechanized leaders have to think of other ways to ensure their crews receive optimal training. Infantry Battalions probably have to consider ways of separating their dismounted and mounted elements for training, and determining when to "meet in the middle" and combine after crews have gained a level of proficiency in the turret and the sections/platoons have gained a degree of proficiency with their hands-and-feet skills.